Croatian Sheepdog vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed Comparison

Croatian Sheepdog vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed ComparisonBraque d'Auvergne is originated from France but Croatian Sheepdog is originated from Croatia. Braque d'Auvergne may grow 12 cm / 5 inches higher than Croatian Sheepdog. Braque d'Auvergne may weigh 42 kg / 93 pounds more than Croatian Sheepdog. Both Braque d'Auvergne and Croatian Sheepdog has same life span. Braque d'Auvergne may have more litter size than Croatian Sheepdog. Braque d'Auvergne requires Low Maintenance. But Croatian Sheepdog requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Herding dogs
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France
Croatia
Height Male:
55 - 65 cm
21 - 26 inches
40 - 53 cm
15 - 21 inches
Height Female:
51 - 61 cm
20 - 25 inches
40 - 53 cm
15 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
48 - 62 kg
105 - 137 pounds
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
43 - 57 kg
94 - 126 pounds
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 10
4 - 6
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Bleu d'Auvergne Braque d’Auvergne Pointer, Auvergne Pointer, Braque du Auvergne, Auvergnese Pointer, Auvergne Pointing Dog, Auvergnian Pointer, Auvergnese Pointing Dog, Auvergnian Pointing Dog French Pointer (Auvergne), Bleu d’Auvergne, Bleu de Auvergne
Hrvatski Ovkars
Colors Available:
balck with white markings or mottled
Black
Coat:
short
Medium length, wavy or curly
Shedding:
Moderate, Constant
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Outgoing, Social
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

braque d auvergneSometime over 5 centuries ago, in the Cantal Region of France, was born a hunting breed, that might be the real ancestor of today’s pointing hunter dogs. Perhaps the oldest of all pointing gun dog is the Braque d’Auvergne. This breed comes from Central France in the region of Auvergne. This breed was developed prior to written dog breeding records in order to hunt in this region and find, point, flush out and retrieve fowl. This breed is clearly one of if not the oldest breeds in the French Braque. There is no agreement among historians on what breed is the oldest of the European pointing dogs and where they were developed – was it Spain or was it France? It is thought that the Braque Francais Gascogne is the original one of these in the early 1600’s while the Braque d’Auvergne came soon after. Due to the different hunting needs in the different parts of France, the Braque Francais Gascogne was crossed with a lot of other local scent hounds. The Braque d’Auvergne is one of the very oldest of all of these. There are records of the breeds existence in the 1700’s. It is probable that the Braque d’Auvergne was developed by crossing local dogs with Gascogne as well as with the Petit Bleu de Gascogne and the Grand Bleu de Gascogne.

In all of Western Europe, the region of Auvergne is not very populated and has unique geography in that is hilly and has many extinct and eroded volcanoes. A lot of the region is still unpopulated. In this environment, wildlife has flourished, and hunting is successful in providing food for the regions people. This circumstance with an abundance of birds, led to the breeding of the Braque Auvergne to specialize in hunting in this area. The breed is not very popular outside of Auvergne and probably never was. That fact allowed them to be devastated by the Second World War. The Reunion des Amateurs de Braque d’Auvergne (RABA) was started to promote the pure breeding and the protection of the d’Auvergnes. But when Auvergnes was occupied during the war, the slowed breeding of the Braque d ‘ Auvergne almost eliminated the breed. There might have only been about 25 dogs left following the end of the war. These remaining dogs were used to revive the breed, but it is still uncommon, but not rare. Individuals have been imported by other countries including North America. The United Kennel Club (UKC) accepted the breed in 2006 but is not accepted by the AKC (American Kennel Club). The breed is still a working breed and outside of France, very rare.

croatian sheepdogKnown also as Hrvatski Ovkars, the black Croatian Sheepdog has been in Croatia since the 7th century already. He was brought to the region by Croats who wanted a strong working dog.

Over the centuries, the dog hasn’t changed much in looks, and in 1935 a breeding program for the dog was developed. A certain Dr. Romic started the program with 3 dogs, and the work he did with the dogs saw that the Croatian Sheepdog got official recognition a few decades later.

In March 1968, the Yugoslav Kennel Club adopted the breed standard, and since then, several kennels recognize the Croatian Sheepdog. The dog is still not known particularly well outside their own county, but in Croatia it is essentially known as a companion dog.

Description

braque d auvergne puppy - descriptionThe Braque d’Auvergne is a well built, strong hunting dog with long ears, a large head and a docked tail. His coat is white with black markings and black ears and head. The breed looks a lot like all the other pointing dogs from France. They are medium in stature and has the appearance of a working gundog. He is athletic, muscular and fit. Docking the tail is outlawed in many countries and all of the United Kingdom. In that case the tail is high on the rump and always straight. Their face and head are big for the size of the body and shaped like an oval. With a long muzzle, deep set eyes and a gentle expression, they are kindly and handsome dogs. Their skin is loose but not droopy or wrinkled like hound dogs.

croatian sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Croatian Sheepdog is a medium sized, muscular dog which stands roughly 40 – 53cm at the withers and weighs 13 to 20kg. The head is wedge shaped and lean and he has brown to black colored eyes.

The triangular-shaped ears are medium sized and semi-erect or erect. The tail of the dog is often docked, but if not it is set high and is inclined to curl over the back.

The dog is nearly always black although you’ll find a few white hairs on the throat or chest or on the legs and toes. The double coat is of medium length, being wavy or even slightly curly.

Temperament:

The Croatian Sheepdog is an athletic, alert dog and he has high energy levels, loving to be put to work or to be busy with one or other activity. He fits in well as a family pet and gets on well with children and pets in the home, but he is going to need plenty of exercise and games.

This particular dog won’t do well with a family of couch potatoes as he craves lots of activities. He will certainly benefit from training and socialization, and because he is intelligent he learns easily and then he is obedient and ready to please.

He is a dominant, confident dog who thrives on attention from his human family. He isn’t a dog you can just stick in the backyard as he is social and craves activity and attention. He is wary of strangers and makes an excellent watchdog.

Characteristics

braque d auvergne dog - characteristicsThis is a gentle, adaptable and obedient breed. With their intelligence and affectionate nature, they make great family dogs and are eager to please their people. Living with other dogs is fine but not with small, prey size animals. The Braque d’Auvergne should never be left alone pets like gerbils and hamsters. They must be socialized to cats as pets and not prey before living with them successfully. They need to work closely with one human partner. They are first and foremost a hunting dog and need some sort of hunting simulation. They are devoted to their families and want to be constantly in their presence. This can lead to separation anxiety if they are left alone too much. They are great with children and need a family.

croatian sheepdog dog - characteristicsThe Croatian Sheepdog isn’t a demanding dog, although he will be relying on you to give him plenty of exercise. He wants to please and will fit into life in the city or life in the country, so long as he gets regular exercise.

It doesn’t take much to keep the Croatian Sheepdog happy and content, and when he thrusts his wet nose into your hand and you see his wagging tail, you’ll know its all been worth it to give this pet the best as he gives you his undivided love and loyalty.

Health Problems

braque d auvergne puppies - health problemsThe Braque d’Auvergne is a healthy breed but can face some of the same health concerns as other pointers and hunting dogs. The long, droopy ears can get infected easily if wet and need to be cleaned regularly so that food or dirt are not trapped their either. Because of the small gene pool however they may be at risk for several issues. The breeders in France express concerns about possible hip dysplasia and testing is highly recommended. Because they are at risk for other conditions that might not show up until later in life, it is also recommended that they be tested by the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) as well as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

croatian sheepdog puppies - health problemsThe Croatian Sheepdog is a healthy dog breed. He is the kind of pet that won’t cost you a lot of money because he is low maintenance. In fact he is a dog which has developed resistance to many diseases.

With good food, exercise and love and care he won’t cost you much in terms of vet’s fees. He can live to be 12 to 15 years of age.

Even though he is a healthy kind of dog, there are some dog illnesses that you will want to be aware of such as bloat and eye problems. Also if you aren’t going to let him become a parent, then spaying or neutering your Croatian Shepherd will have numerous health benefits for him.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

braque d auvergne dogs - caringThe Braque d’Auvergne needs a high-quality diet fit for a working dog but not too much to make him obese. They are an active breed to choose a formula that is designed for working dogs.

Health issues

Although no studies have been conducted on the Braque d’Auvergne’s health issues there are many conditions that similar breeds are susceptible to and the d’Auvergne might be as well. This includes any of the following:

  • Dysplasia – elbow and hip
  • Cleft Palate or Cleft Lip.
  • Aortic Stenosis (Narrowing of the aorta)
  • Luxating Patella or moving kneecaps
  • PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Cataracts
  • Demodex/Demodicosis/Demodectic Mange

Exercise and games

This is an active, working dog who needs a lot of stimulation and exercise. The only real appropriate exercise for these dogs is hunting or outings in the woods. He not only needs the exercise, but he also needs to stimulate his sense of smell and his gundog intelligence. He might excel in lure chase or even a form or barn hunt. They certainly could excel at obedience trials and perhaps rally. If you are a weekend hunter then this is the ideal dog for you. They are so easy to train that they surpass other pointers for success with casual hunters. They hunt at a slower pace than many other gundogs. Their intelligence and athleticism lend itself well to agility and flyball also. They need a large (+acres)fenced in area to run and play.

croatian sheepdog dogs - caringThe Croatian Sheepdog has always been a working dog and is regarded as a hardy, low maintenance dog. He will require minimal grooming so a good brush twice a week will suffice.

Diet:

There are excellent and convenient dog foods on the market which have been specifically manufactured to ensure your dog gets all the vitamins and minerals he needs for health and energy. Stick to the feeding instructions on the label so that he maintains his lean, muscular body.

Raw meat can be expensive, but it will be to his benefit if you can include some raw meat into his kibble every now and then. If you are unsure in any way as to how to feed your dog, your vet can give you good advice on a food that caters for his age and his activity levels. Always make sure that he has a fresh bowl of water available.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Braque d'Auvergne vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Braque d'Auvergne vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Braque d'Auvergne vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Braque d'Auvergne vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Braque d'Auvergne vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Braque d'Auvergne vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Braque d'Auvergne vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Braque d'Auvergne vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Braque d'Auvergne vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Braque d'Auvergne vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Braque d'Auvergne vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Braque d'Auvergne vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Braque d'Auvergne vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Braque d'Auvergne vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Braque d'Auvergne vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Braque d'Auvergne vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Braque d'Auvergne vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Braque d'Auvergne vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Braque d'Auvergne vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Braque d'Auvergne vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Braque d'Auvergne vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Braque d'Auvergne vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Braque d'Auvergne vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Braque d'Auvergne vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Braque d'Auvergne vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Croatian Sheepdog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Croatian Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Croatian Sheepdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Croatian Sheepdog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Croatian Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Croatian Sheepdog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Croatian Sheepdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Croatian Sheepdog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Croatian Sheepdog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Croatian Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Croatian Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Croatian Sheepdog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Croatian Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Croatian Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Croatian Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Croatian Sheepdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Croatian Sheepdog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Croatian Sheepdog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Croatian Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Croatian Sheepdog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Croatian Sheepdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Croatian Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Croatian Sheepdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Croatian Sheepdog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Croatian Sheepdog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison