Braque Saint-Germain vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison

Braque Saint-Germain vs Belgian Griffon - Breed ComparisonBraque Saint-Germain is originated from France but Belgian Griffon is originated from Belgium. Braque Saint-Germain may grow 42 cm / 17 inches higher than Belgian Griffon. Braque Saint-Germain may weigh 29 kg / 64 pounds more than Belgian Griffon. Both Braque Saint-Germain and Belgian Griffon has same life span. Braque Saint-Germain may have more litter size than Belgian Griffon. Braque Saint-Germain requires Low maintenance. But Belgian Griffon requires Moderate maintenance

History

braque saint germain - historyThe Braque Saint-Germain, also known as the St. Germain Pointing Dog, is a French creation. The French pointing dogs and the English pointing dogs were mixed to develop the Braque Saint-Germain. He is a versatile hunting dog that was both a pointer and a gun dog. They are medium to large in size and went from being bred by royalty in the 1830’s to a popular everyday hunting dog. The ancestry of the breed can be traced back many additional centuries.

As popular as the Braque Saint-Germain was as a hunter, he gained his notoriety in the show ring. The first time a Braque Saint-Germain entered the ring in 1863 it was an acclaimed breed and upstaged all other pointing breeds. The French Braque Saint-Germain club was opened in 1913 and recognized by the Federation Cynoloqique International (FCI) and in 2006 was recognized by the North American United Kennel Club. Their popularity has risen and fallen since World War II. It has flirted with extinction more than once. Today’s Braque Saint-Germain is a highly talented hunting dog with a standard appearance that still does well in the ring.

The English Pointer was a cross between the hound dogs, British gundog, Spanish Pointer and herding breeds. This made the English Pointer a very versatile breed before it was crossed with the Braque Francais Gascogne. The Braque Francais Gascogne itself is believed to have developed from the Chien d-Oysel and Italian and Spanish pointing dogs. The English Pointer was specialized in pointing and the French Braque Francais Gascogne was a very versatile dog. In the Braque Saint-Germain the dog world has a versatile, excellent pointing dog.

In the 1800’s the French Crown was gifted with two English Pointers that were great at hunting. Some considered the English Pointers to be better than any of their Braque Francais. The female of these two pointers was bred many times but the male died without breeding. The female’s first litter was with a brown German Spaniel and were of low quality. Her second litter however was with an outstanding bird dog and produced 7 excellent puppies. Because of this these two dogs were bred several more times. The owner of the adult dogs moved to Saint-Germain, where their appearance attracted many hunters. The breed flourished here and was named the Braque Saint-Germain.

Soon corrupt individuals sold non-purebreds as Braque Saint-Germains and handlers showed these dogs under the Saint-Germain name. There are always dangers when a popular breed’s beginnings comes from only two dogs. In 1913 the new breed club fought over the standard and ended up producing two types. The first type was a sturdy dog with long ears and a round chest. He was larger and slower than his cousin. The second type was a smaller dog with a finer skeleton and short, high set ears. He was a galloper to his cousin’s trot.

The breed found itself facing near extinction in 1914 and during all of World War I. Dogs were not bred and many were not properly cared for. The breed became quite rare. Then as it began to recover, the Second World War intervened and devasted the breed again. By the end of the war, they were once again very rare and on the edge of extinction. It took a dedicated effort from local breeders to bring the breed back. By the 1950’s the two types of Braque Saint-Germain dogs were molded into only one breed. There remained a conflict between those that bred show dogs and those that bred hunting dogs.

Slowly the breed grew in number and in the late 1990’s there were over 100 puppies registered into the club every year. More than 100 were entered into the clubs in 2009. There have also been a few English Pointer crosses allowed to breed with the Braque Saint-Germains in order to grow and improve the gene pool. Still the breed is exceedingly rare outside of France. Through it all the breed has been able to maintain its place in confirmation and still be a versatile hunting dog.

belgian griffon - historyThe Belgian Griffon isn’t your most attractive dog, but maybe its his quirky, gremlin looks that makes him such an adored pet for many. There are different varieties of Griffon, and the Belgian- and Brussels Griffon are one and the same. All small Belgian dogs have the same breed standards, with the Belgian having a rough coat The dog hails from Belguim and its ancestors were no doubt a mix of the Belgian street dog, the Stable Griffon and the Affenpinscher.

Later on in the 1800s, this combination was then crossed with the Pug, giving the dog the brachycephalic or flat faced look.

Unfortunately no written records were kept about the precise origin of this breed, but there is also the idea that the King Charles- and English Toy Spaniel were also involved in its development. These small dogs were bred to catch rats in the barns of European estates.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Toy dog
Origin:
France
Belgium
Height Male:
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
18 - 20 cm
7 - 8 inches
Height Female:
55 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
16 - 20 cm
6 - 8 inches
Weight Male:
20 - 35 kg
44 - 78 pounds
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
16 - 28 kg
35 - 62 pounds
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
1 - 3
Size:
Medium dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Saint-Germain Pointer, French Pointer (Saint-Germain), Saint-Germain Pointing Dog, French Pointing Dog (Saint-Germain) Braque d’Auvergne Pointer, Auvergne Pointer, Braque du Auvergne, Auvergnese Pointer, Auvergne Pointing Dog, Auvergnian Pointer, Auvergnese Pointing Dog, Auvergnian Pointing Dog Bleu de Auvergne, Bleu d’Auvergne
Brussels Griffon, Griffon Belge, Griffon Bruxellois Petit Brabançon
Colors Available:
Dull white with orange (fawn) markings
red, tan or black
Coat:
short not fine
2 types - soft or wiry
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Cheerful, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

braque saint germain puppy - descriptionThe Braque Saint-Germain is very much a pointer and yet is a very attractive dog. They have a medium build, drop ears and a long, level tail tapered at the end. They are really distinctive looking with an athletic, lean, muscled look. The skull is round and the muzzle is the same length as the skull. Their nose is pink , their lips cover their lower jaw and their eyes are golden, round and large. The ears are set high on the head and look like they are slightly detached. The neck is long, muscular and arched, while they have deep chest. They are well proportioned, good looking dogs with a friendly facial expression. Their coat is true to the pointing dog group as it is short, smooth and white with orange markings. Dogs of any other color might be great hunting dogs but are not show dogs and should not be bred

Small but Full of Attitude

belgian griffon puppy - descriptionThere are different variations of this dog to give it its distinctive look and size. This quaint looking little Griffon canine comes with two different coat types - soft or wiry. With the Belgian Griffon, his wiry coat of red, tan or black will need to be brushed at least twice a week. Shedding with this dog is seasonal.

He has a compact, sturdy little body, and he trots around with attitude. With his sharp pointed ears and whiskers, he has been given the nickname ‘bearded dog’. His dark black eyes are alert. He is self-confident, intelligent and curious breed, a great family pet and good with children if he has grown up with them in the home. He is good with other pets. The fact that this is a small breed and that he doesn’t have excessive energy levels, means he is adaptable to city- and country living.

Characteristics

braque saint germain dog - characteristicsThe Braque Saint-Germain is a working dog and a show dog. They are energetic, competitive and driven. They are generally affectionate, loyal and love to cuddle with their people. They need human companionship companionship and can have severe separation anxiety when left by themselves. They love being a member of the family with children, but they are likely to knock very young children down unintentionally.

The Braque Saint-Germain is a loyal, gentle breed and some might even be shy. They are not guard dogs. They are much too friendly toward strangers. Even though they were bred to point and track small game, they can be socialized to be safe living with smaller pets such as cats. They are intelligent, fast learners who love to learn. They also love to work and work long hours without fatigue. They will love to be a jogging or cycling partner.

They do best with large yards, rural areas or in hunting packs. They are not small apartment, city dwellers. They do get along with strangers and other animals. They will warn of strangers, but they are not aggressive.

belgian griffon dog - characteristicsThe Belgian Griffon is an affectionate pet and often establishes a strong bond with one member of the family. You’ll have your Griffon with you for about 15 years so make sure he is trained and a pleasure to have around.They are difficult to train, being somewhat stubborn so they are going to require patience. They’re sensitive too, and they won’t respond well to aggressive treatment.

They’re much more indoor dogs than outdoor dogs because they’re also vulnerable to heat stroke. They just want to come indoors and be with their human family, and when you do that for them, they’ll become a wonderful friend and companion to you.

Health Problems

braque saint germain puppies - health problemsThe breed has very few health issues even with all the cross breeding followed by inbreeding. Due to the small gene pool there might be some genetically inherited problems. Due to the size of the gene pool, they might suffer from “founder’s effect” where if one dog has a certain condition, their descendants could also. Not enough research has been done to know if this is the case with the Braque Saint-Germain of not.

Some of the potential health issues that the3 Braque Saint-Germain might face include:

  • Dysplasia of the hip and elbow.
  • Cleft Palate or Lip.
  • Ear Infections.
  • PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Demodex Mange/Demodectic mange
  • Epilepsy
  • Deafness
  • Aortic Stenosis
  • Acral Mutilation Syndrome

belgian griffon puppies - health problemsWhen you get your Griffon from a reputable breeder, you always have a better chance that he’ll be healthy. As it is, the Belgian Griffon has few hereditary health issues. However his dark eyes will have some genetic problems to contend with and he could suffer with progressive retinal atrophy. This is an illness which can lead to blindness

Other health issues to look out for are -

Syringomyelia – this is a neurological condition – an abnormality of the spinal cord – a disease which occurs more frequently in small breeds. It can cause your pet to endure a lot of pain.

Birthing Issues - these little dogs often have problems with giving birth, and a vet often has to intervene and perform a cesarean.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

braque saint germain dogs - caringThis is a working dog that can run and track for miles. She needs good nutrition. Feed about 3 cups per day in one or two meals. Two meals are preferred.

Health issues

As previously mentioned this breed might be susceptible to many genetic diseases or disorders but there have not been any studies to show this.

Exercise and games

The Braque Saint Germain does not need a high amount of exercise as their energy level is medium. They still need daily exercise. They do best with a fenced off leash area to run. They love frisbee and chasing balls.

Food and Water

belgian griffon dogs - caringThe Belgian Griffon will do well if you invest in high quality foods. You can make your own, but if you’re concerned about his health, it would be best to check what ingredients should go into his home-prepared meals to ensure he gets all the vitamins and minerals he needs.

If you want to go with commercially manufactured dog foods, check with your vet about wet- and dry foods. Your vet will help with choosing a food appropriate to his size and age. Always ensure that there is clean, fresh water available to your pet.

Exercise

Even though he is a small breed, he is fairly active and he will need his fair share of exercise like ball games and walks. Training and socialization are a must for him. You’ll notice that training isn’t particularly easy with this breed, and first time dog owners might not have the patience with him.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. East Siberian Laika vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  2. French Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  3. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  4. Finnish Spitz vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  5. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  6. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  7. Field Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  8. Curly Coated Retriever vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  9. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  10. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  11. Shikoku vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  12. Slovakian Hound vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  13. Small Munsterlander vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  14. Sussex Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  15. Kooikerhondje vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  16. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  17. West Siberian Laika vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  18. Wetterhoun vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  19. Braque Saint-Germain vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  20. Braque Saint-Germain vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  21. Braque Saint-Germain vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  22. Braque Saint-Germain vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  23. Braque Saint-Germain vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  24. Braque Saint-Germain vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  25. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  26. Pomeranian vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  27. Maltese vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  28. Pug vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  29. Maltipoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  30. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  31. Cockapoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  32. Cavapoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  33. Cavachon vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  34. Papillon vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  35. Japanese Chin vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature English Bulldog vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  37. Bolognese vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  38. Italian Greyhound vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  39. Jug vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Pinscher vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  41. Dorgi vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  42. Belgian Griffon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Belgian Griffon vs Bantam Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  44. Carlin Pinscher vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  45. Dorkie vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  46. German Spitz (Klein) vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  47. Doxiepoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  48. Bospin vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  49. Damchi vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  50. Lowchen vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds