Pumi vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison

The Braque Francais Gascognes and the Braque Francais Pyrenees are two alike dogs that are in reality separate breeds. The Pyrenees is not as rare as his larger brother, Gascognes. Around since the 15th century at least, not mush is really known about their origins. Because the Braque Francais was exported or taken to so many different countries in the 15th-18th centuries, a lot of information regarding the origins of the breeds were lost. There was a major study done in the 19th century that showed the two dogs came from very different blood lines. It is known that in this timeframe there was an acute need for a dog that was better than the current hunting breeds. This dog needed to be able to point, track, retrieve and flush.

With no authenticated story of origin, many myths have grown up in the vacuum. The most common belief is that the Chien d’Oysel, an ancient spaniel breed that was medium sized with brown or white fur and brown markings, is an ancestor of the Braque Francais and local hunting dogs. To make the Gascognes larger and stronger than the Pyrenees, local scent hounds were also crossed with these dogs. The Pyrenees does not have these scent hounds in their background.

Until the late 1800’s, there was only one type and one breed of Braque Francais. But when the breed was no longer the dogs of a nobility, the average hunter needed a smaller dog. Urbanization following the French Revolution added to this trend and the Pyrenees Mountain hunters crossed the Gascognes with smaller scent hounds and pointers. Thus, they created the Braque Francais Pyrenees and each dog became its own breed in 1920.

The Braque Francais breed club, including standards for both breeds was established in 1850 with the standards established in 1880. This acceptance was then followed by registration of both breeds in the International Kennel Club (FCI) and the French Kennel Club. Canada recognizes only the Gascoigne and the United Kennel Club (UKC) of the United States, recognized both. Neither breed has been recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

The Second World War was brutal to both types of the Braque Francais, but the Pyrenees have surpassed their sister breed and are the only one that has found its way to North America. The importers have started a breeding program in Canada. Later a few were imported to the States. There are currently at least four breeders in North America – 2 in the U.S. and 2 in Canada. It is thought that there are less than 200 Braque Francais Pyrenees living in North America.

The Pumi is a small to medium sized dog which comes from Hungary. They have always been used for guarding livestock.

It was in 2004 that the the Pumi was accepted by the American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service program. Also in the country of the dog’s birth, the Pumi Club was founded, and in 2011, the dog was also accepted into the AKC into the Miscellaneous class and into the herding group too.

In the UK in 2015, the Kennel Club also accepted the breed standard

The Braque Francais breeds are medium sized dogs with the Pyrenean standing 10 centimeters shorter than the Gascogne. They have a, white or chestnut brown coat with brown spots and a brown head. The Pyrenees has a head that is broader and ears that are not as long as the Gascogne. Their muzzle is narrower. He is strong, tall with hanging lips and square muzzles.

The Pumi stands at between 38 and 47cm in height and weighs between 8 and 15kg.

The coat is a fawn, greyish silver or sandy color. The grey Pumi's are thought to be the more common color.

The medium length coat is thick and curly with the top coat being fairly harsh to the touch.There is very little shedding. The dog has semi-erect, semi-floppy ears which are high set. The eyes are small and dark.

With his tight curly coat, his kinky tail and bright expression, you’d think the Pumi was just for entertainment and a playmate, but he is a serious worker too, loving to be busy, whether for work or play.

Temperament:

The Pumi is lively and bold and always ready for fun and action. He is intelligent too, and early training and socialization will be important to keep him manageable and a pleasure to have around. Because he is smart he won’t have trouble learning. They’re good with children and other dogs in the family.

This is a sociable, lovable, friendly breed. They are gentle and docile dogs that want only to please you. They like children as well as adults and will never be a guard dog as they are friendly to strangers as well. The Braque Francais Pyrenees is affectionate while being highly skilled hunters. They are prone to severe separation anxiety if left alone for long. They might even have a tendency toward shyness.

The Pumi is a comical looking dog which some people assume makes him a bit of a lapdog, but this isn’t true. Yes, he loves to receive love and attention from his human family, but he isn’t a lapdog.

He likes to be busy if he can. He is smart and quick to learn and is affectionate, playful, loyal and loving.

His small size allows him to adapt easily to life in the city or the countryside, but he will need to be exercised. If you’re looking for a lively, amicable pet and companion, the Pumi can make an excellent family pet.

The breed of Braque Francais in both its incarnations is generally a pretty healthy dog. They are prone to several issues including dysplasia of the elbow and hip, aortic stenosis, some eye issues and patellar luxation. The eye issues are around the lids and include ectropion and entropion along with cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). These issues are not avoidable, but the risk can be reduced even more by breeder testing of parents of any litter and then test the litter. Both the OFA and CERF should conduct tests for the dysplasia (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) and eyes (Canine Eye Registration Foundation).

With the Pumi, you’re really getting a robust little dog. With good care, he can push to 14 years of age and even much older. Of course, as with all other dogs, he is prone to some of the more common dog illnesses.

Hip dysplasia is nearly always one that needs to be listed as it is really a common dog ailment that can lead to lameness.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is an abnormal formation of the hip socket which in its severest form can lead to lameness. Luckily there are advances in veterinary medicine that make it possible for a dog with hip dysplasia to be happy and pain free.

Degenerative Myelopathy:

This is an incurable, progressive disease which effects the spinal cord of your dog and is found mostly in older dogs. It’s very sad because as the disease progresses it can lead to loss of coordination in the hind legs, difficulty with supporting weight with the hind legs and also urinary and fecal incontinence.

This is an inherited disease that sadly might require you saying goodbye to your beloved 4-legged family member.

Feeding

This breed need a high energy food including raw meat such as chicken, fish, and beef. If feeding kibble, they need about 2.5 cups per day.

Health issues

Prone to inflammation and infections of the ears as they are long and floppy. Clean them regularly. As previously mention eye disorders, joint dysplasia and bloat.

Exercise and games

The Braque Francais Pyrenees is a fairly versatile hunting dog. They can hunt on all types of terrain by trailing, flushing and retrieving. They are quick and move quickly without actually sprinting. This dog needs serious exercise every day. They will walk or jog with you. They will run along side your bike. Whatever you choose to do, do it for an hour a day. Don’t make couch potatoes out of this breed. It will not turn out well if you do. They need a place where they can play off leash as well, such as a large yard or a dog park.

Diet:

You can never be slack when it comes to choosing food for your pet. If you can provide him with wholesome food then you will be promoting health and longevity.

If you choose one of the commercially manufactured dog foods, make sure it is the high quality ones full of vitamins and minerals and free from all kinds of colorants and fillers.

Certainly provide him with some home-made food too, but keep it simple and tasty. An excellent home-made diet is boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach, all chopped up and mixed in twice a week with the dry kibble.

Every now and again, if you can afford it, you can also give him some raw meat added into the kibble. Plain and simple, your pet will thank you for providing him with an uncomplicated diet, gentle on his digestive system.

Make sure he always has a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.

Exercise:

Energetic and lively, the Pumi is going to need regular exercise as well as mental stimulation. Show him a tennis ball and his eyes will light up as he just loves a game. Take him on a walk and include him in your ball games.

Grooming:

The Pumi’s coat is medium length and curly and he will need it combed to keep it free of matting. The coat will also need to be trimmed if you don’t want it becoming unruly.He isn’t a heavy shedder but will need his coat being attended to twice a week.