Irish Jack Russell vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison

Irish Jack Russell vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed ComparisonIrish Jack Russell is originated from United States but Braque Saint-Germain is originated from France. Irish Jack Russell may grow 27 cm / 10 inches shorter than Braque Saint-Germain. Irish Jack Russell may weigh 27 kg / 59 pounds lesser than Braque Saint-Germain. Both Irish Jack Russell and Braque Saint-Germain has almost same life span. Both Irish Jack Russell and Braque Saint-Germain has same litter size. Both Irish Jack Russell and Braque Saint-Germain requires Low maintenance.

History

irish jack russell - historyOriginating in the United States of America, the Irish Jack Russell, also known as Short Jack Russells, was bred to bring about a calmer temperament and to also have a dog with shorter legs.

Always a working dog, breeders of the Irish Jack Russell wanted to create a dog with less of a hunting instinct in him and have a dog which would be more companionable.

These Irish Jack Russells look much like your regular Jack Russell but are more of a companion dog than a hunting dog. The Irish Jack Russell doesn’t adhere to any existing Jack Russell breed standard and isn't really recognized at major dog clubs and kennels. The truth of the whole matter is that there are different kinds of Jack Russells and different names given to them to differentiate between the taller Jack Russell and the short legged one. The shorter Jack Russell Terriers are known by many names such as Irish Jack Russell and Shorty Jack Russells.

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.

Description

irish jack russell puppy - descriptionIrish Jack Russells are small dogs standing at roughly 18 to 35cm and weighing in the region of 5 to 8kg for both males and females.

He looks much like your regular Jack Russell but he has shorter legs, and where the regular Jack Russell has an essentially white coat with orange-tan patches, the Irish Jack Russell can be solid tan or other color variations such as red, brindle, black and tan.

The coat can be short or fairly long and coarse. The Irish Jack Russell is a sturdy, compact dog with a flat skull, brown eyes and ears which are semi-erect, semi-floppy. He has a bright, alert, intelligent look on his face. The tail is set fairly high and has always been docked but these days it is inclined to be left long, taking away from the dog’s nice compact look.

Temperament:

The Irish Jack Russell is perhaps more placid than the regular Jack Russell and that is why he can adapt to life in the city or in the country. They’re intelligent dogs and therefore easy to train and have socialized.

Even though he is a small dog, training and socialization is important as he is a feisty, stubborn, know-it-all little dog. These are dogs which can become possessive of their owner and they can become quite aggressive when protecting their family. He is a highly trainable dog but it is important to have him trained as he tends to be aggressive with other dogs.

He is busy, active, happy and inquisitive and will require regular exercise to prevent him becoming restless and destructive. He has been a working terrier and he always wants to be busy.

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

Characteristics

irish jack russell dog - characteristicsThe Irish Jack Russell is a self-confident, energetic dog who will like nothing more than to be involved with everything you’re doing. The busier he is the better, and because he has strong hunting instincts you may find him digging in your garden for rats.

Have him trained and socialized if you want to avoid certain problems with him and remember to exercise him and provide him with the attention he craves.

He is a social dog and will pine away if you just leave him to get by on his own. Make sure that he becomes every bit as part of your family as everyone else and he promises to make you a loyal, devoted companion.

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.

Health Problems

irish jack russell puppies - health problemsYour Irish Jack Russell is a dog that doesn’t battle with too many health issues, but nonetheless you still need to watch out for common health problems.

Jack Russell terriers are generally a healthy breed that can live up to 14 years of age, but still every dog is prone to the more common dog problems such as hip dysplasia, bloat, ear infections and dental disease among others.

If your Irish Jack Russell is in pain, he is lethargic and sick, don’t delay – take him to the vet right away.

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

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

irish jack russell dogs - caringThe Irish Jack Russell is an average shedder with his short or longish coat which is easy to groom, requiring a brush once or twice a week. His nails grow quickly too and they can get caught on something and cause him damage. Trim your pet’s nails to prevent this.

Diet:

Feed your Irish Jack Russell good quality dog food each day. If you feed him commercially manufactured dog food, be certain to check the feeding instructions on the packaging.

He is a small dog, and overfeeding can be just as bad as under-feeding. It’s never a good idea to just go on and on feeding your pet dry or wet kibble day after day. Add in some cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables as a treat and to also provide some variety for him.

Also a little bit of raw meat occasionally can do him the world of good and you’ll see the appreciation in his bright eyes and wagging tail.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
United States
France
Height Male:
18 - 35 cm
7 - 14 inches
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
Height Female:
18 - 35 cm
7 - 14 inches
55 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
20 - 35 kg
44 - 78 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
16 - 28 kg
35 - 62 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 16 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
4 - 8
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Irish Jack Russell, Shorty Jack Russells
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
Colors Available:
tan, brindle, White coat with orange
Dull white with orange (fawn) markings
Coat:
Short or long - coarse
short not fine
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Cheerful, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Sweet
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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. Irish Jack Russell vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  27. Irish Jack Russell vs Danish Swedish Farmdog - Breed Comparison
  28. Lancashire Heeler vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  29. Miniature Siberian Husky vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  30. Telomian vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  31. Turnspit Dog vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  32. Pomeranian vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  33. Maltese vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  34. Pug vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  35. Maltipoo vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  36. Jack Russell Terrier vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  37. Miniature Schnauzer vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  38. Mal-Shi vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  39. Papillon vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  41. Japanese Chin vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  42. Miniature English Bulldog vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  43. Miniature Dachshund vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  44. Lhasa Apso vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Poodle vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  46. Japanese Spitz vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  47. Italian Greyhound vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  48. Rat Terrier vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  49. Scottish Terrier vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  50. Malti-Pom vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds