The Auvergne Pointing Dog presents a harmonious and elegant silhouette that balances strength with agility, embodying the functional beauty characteristic of French pointing breeds. This medium-sized sporting dog displays well-proportioned dimensions with males typically standing 22 to 24 inches at the shoulder and females ranging from 20 to 22 inches. The breed's substance is moderate, neither heavy nor refined, with males weighing between 53 and 62 pounds and females between 49 and 57 pounds. The overall body structure emphasizes length slightly over height, creating a rectangular outline when viewed from the side, which facilitates efficient ground coverage during hunting work.
The head is one of the breed's most distinctive features, displaying a characteristic domed skull that is neither too heavy nor too refined. The head is proportionate to the body, with the skull slightly longer than the muzzle, creating balanced facial proportions. The stop is moderately pronounced, providing a gentle transition from skull to muzzle rather than an abrupt change. Eyes are dark hazel to dark brown in color, large and expressive without being prominent, conveying an intelligent and gentle expression that is typical of the breed. The eye rims are completely pigmented in black. Ears are set at eye level, of medium length, and hang close to the cheeks in a folded manner. When pulled forward, the ear leather should reach approximately to the nose tip. The ears are somewhat thick, with rounded tips, and their placement and size contribute to the breed's soft, approachable expression.
The muzzle is strong and well-developed without coarseness, maintaining good depth and width throughout its length. The nasal bridge is straight or very slightly convex, and the nose itself is large with well-opened nostrils, always completely black in pigmentation. Lips are fairly tight-fitting without excessive flews, though there is moderate lip development. The jaw structure supports a complete scissor bite with strong, white teeth. The neck is moderately long, muscular, and slightly arched, setting smoothly into well-laid-back shoulders. There should be no excessive dewlap or throatiness, though the skin may be slightly more supple than in some pointing breeds.
The body structure emphasizes functionality for endurance work in the field. The topline is straight and level from withers to croup, or may show a very slight downward slope toward the rear. The withers are only moderately pronounced. The back is straight, firm, and of good length, flowing into a broad, muscular loin that is short and slightly arched. The croup is slightly sloping, broad, and well-muscled. The chest is deep, reaching to the elbow level, with well-sprung ribs that provide adequate lung capacity without being barrel-shaped. The underline shows a gentle tuck-up in the flank area, creating an athletic rather than heavy appearance.
Front legs are straight and vertical when viewed from the front, with strong bone that is proportionate to the dog's overall size. Shoulders are long and well laid back, forming good angulation with the upper arm. Elbows lie close to the body without turning in or out. Pasterns are slightly sloping, providing some flexibility to absorb shock during movement. The rear legs display good angulation with moderately bent stifles and well-let-down hocks. When viewed from behind, the rear legs are parallel and straight. The hindquarters are strongly muscled throughout the thigh and second thigh. Feet are somewhat oval in shape, slightly longer than round, with tight arched toes and thick, resilient pads. Nails are dark in color.
The tail is traditionally docked in countries where this practice is legal, leaving approximately one-third to one-half of the natural length. In countries prohibiting docking, the natural tail is medium in length, thick at the base and tapering toward the tip, carried horizontally or slightly below the backline during work, though it may be carried more gaily when the dog is excited. The tail should never curl over the back.
The coat is one of the breed's most recognizable features. It is short, smooth, and glossy, lying close to the body without excessive length or waviness. The texture is neither silky nor harsh, but rather dense enough to provide some protection from briars and weather while remaining easy to maintain. The skin is fairly supple and well-fitted to the body, though not as tight as in some short-coated breeds.
Color pattern is distinctive and breed-specific. The base coat is white with black markings that create a distinctive appearance. These markings may appear as black patches or extensive black ticking (small spots) distributed throughout the white areas, giving many dogs a blue-gray appearance, sometimes described as "mottled." The head typically features a black mantle or extensive black marking that may cover the ears and top of the skull, often with a white blaze on the face. Black pigmentation around the eyes creates distinctive "spectacles" in some dogs. Tan markings may appear above the eyes and on the cheeks, though this is not required. The tan color, when present, is generally a light chestnut shade. Excessive ticking to the point of obscuring the white base color is considered less desirable. Pure white dogs without any black marking are not acceptable, nor are dogs with predominantly black coats with minimal white.
Breed faults that detract from the ideal include a heavy, coarse head; light-colored eyes; ears that are too short or too thin; an overly short or pointed muzzle; any deviation from a complete black nose; loose lips; a weak or short neck; a roached or swayed back; a narrow or shallow chest; insufficient angulation in either front or rear; cow hocks; splayed feet; and any significant deviation from the proper coat color and pattern. Serious faults warranting disqualification include extreme shyness or aggression; a kinked or shortened tail structure; coat colors other than the accepted black and white pattern; and any anatomical deformity that would interfere with the dog's ability to function as a hunting companion.
Movement is smooth, ground-covering, and efficient. The Auvergne Pointing Dog moves with a fluid, far-reaching gait that demonstrates good reach in the front and strong drive from the rear. The topline remains firm and level during movement. At a trot, the dog single-tracks as speed increases. The gait should appear effortless, with no wasted motion, allowing the dog to work long hours in the field without excessive fatigue. This functional movement pattern reflects the breed's development as a versatile hunting companion capable of working diverse terrain.
Affection Level
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Extremely affectionate and devoted to family members, forming strong bonds.
Good with Children
Excellent with children, patient and gentle, though supervision is recommended with very young children due to their energy.
Good with Other Dogs
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Generally good with other dogs when properly socialized, especially fellow hunting breeds.
Good with Other Pets
Moderate compatibility with other pets; bird-oriented hunting instinct may be triggered by small animals without proper training.
Playfulness
Highly playful and energetic, maintaining enthusiasm for games and activities throughout adulthood.
Energy Level
High energy requiring substantial daily exercise and mental stimulation to remain content.
Trainability
Highly trainable with a strong desire to please, responsive to positive reinforcement methods.
Intelligence
Very intelligent with excellent problem-solving abilities and quick learning capacity.
Tendency to Bark
Low to moderate; generally quiet but will alert to unusual activity or when hunting.
Amount of Shedding
Moderate shedding throughout the year with increased shedding during seasonal coat changes.
Grooming Needs
Low grooming requirements; weekly brushing and occasional baths are sufficient.
Prey Drive
Strong prey drive, particularly toward birds; careful management needed around small pets.