Kuvasz vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison

Kuvasz vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed ComparisonKuvasz is originated from Hungary but Braque Saint-Germain is originated from France. Kuvasz may grow 14 cm / 6 inches higher than Braque Saint-Germain. Kuvasz may weigh 17 kg / 38 pounds more than Braque Saint-Germain. Kuvasz may live 3 years less than Braque Saint-Germain. Both Kuvasz and Braque Saint-Germain has same litter size. Kuvasz requires Moderate maintenance. But Braque Saint-Germain requires Low maintenance

History

kuvasz - historyThe Kuvasz is an ancient dog breed from Hungary. It is believed that the dog is the oldest of the ancient Hungarian dog breeds, and in fact a fossilized skeleton dating back to the 9th century, and almost identical to the modern Kuvasz, was found near Keszthely.

During the 15th century the Kuvasz became very sought after, being found in royal courts. Puppies were given as royal gifts. Later the popularity of the breed waned and then it was found in its traditional role of guarding livestock.

As Kuvasz numbers dwindled, breeding efforts were started but it is believed that other large dogs such as the Great Pyrenees were used with the Kuvasz to continue with the breeding programs.

In 1884, the first Hungarian standard for the breed was written. It was in 1966 that the Kuvasz Club of America was established.

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

kuvasz puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Kuvasz is a large, muscled dog standing at 65 – 76cm in height and weighing 35 – 52kg. He has a double coat of dense white hair which can be straight or wavy.

It is natural for the dog to lose most of the long coat during the Summer months. In other words this dog has a seasonal coat.

The nose is black, the eyes brown and alert, the ears are of medium length and floppy and the tail is carried long and low.

Temperament:

The Kuvasz is an intelligent dog who will benefit from training and socialization. It is always wise to have large dogs like this trained because just his size can cause problems if he isn’t obedient.

He is also described as a clownish type of dog which means he’ll entertain and amuse you. Certainly he is playful as a puppy but he calms down quite a bit as he grows into maturity. He is independent, and those who have owned such a dog report that he can be loving and loyal with his human family, wanting to guard and protect them. Others will say that he tended to be aloof, even with his human family.

Used as working dogs, the Kuvasz has learned to be independent and they will need a firm, strong owner who is also fair with them, otherwise they just do their own thing. They’re active dogs and because of their size they won’t suit city living where there is a tiny garden.

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

kuvasz dog - characteristicsKuvasz are guarding dogs, they’re intelligent and loyal, making them excellent family dogs with the right training and socialization.

They’re able to get on well with other pets in the home as well as children. He is a beautiful dog and another bonus is that he isn’t particularly high maintenance.

As is common with many other large-breed dogs, he will have a shorter lifespan than what you’d get with a smaller dog breed, but if you feed him high quality food, exercise him and involve him in your activities, this large dog can become a wonderful friend and protector for you.

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

kuvasz puppies - health problemsThe large Kuvasz is a healthy dog breed that with good care can reach 12–14 years of age. Being the large dog that he is, he may well be prone to bone and joint problems. It is why good nutrition is so important for this dog - feeding him the best food with vitamins and minerals.

You know the saying ...you are what you eat... and this applies to dogs too. Good food can help to ward off serious illnesses. Big dogs like this often have to contend with hip dysplasia which can be both painful and debilitating as well as eye diseases.

Entropion:

This is where the eyelid of the dog rolls inwards, causing irritation and pain for the dog. There is also Ectropion, where the eyelid rolls outwards.If you see your pet has a red eye which is watery and which has pus, visit your vet. Entropion surgery will correct and repair and condition.

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:

kuvasz dogs - caringThe coat may be fairly long and thick but it doesn’t require any special kind of grooming. A good brush twice a week will be adequate and will help with getting rid of stubborn knots and matting.

He is a seasonal shedder and this frequent brushing will make sure the coat remains groomed and shiny.

General Care:

The Kuvasz is a hardy breed who just loves the outdoors. He is a dog that doesn’t do well in the heat. Make absolutely sure that he has a cool, sheltered spot where he can lie down. Ensure that there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.

Diet:

There is quite a bit of conflict and controversy regarding nutrition in dogs. The idea is to keep it simple. If you buy a commercially manufactured dog food, check the ingredients on the packaging.

You want to be sure your pet is getting vitamins and minerals in instead of preservatives, fillers and colorants. Try and give him some home made food too such as some chicken, brown rice or pasta and some vegetables. You can mix this into his dry kibble occasionally with a little bit of raw meat too when you have.

Avoid feeding your dog things such as chocolates, nuts, onions, sweets and chips.

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:
Hungary
France
Height Male:
65 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
Height Female:
65 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
55 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
35 - 52 kg
77 - 115 pounds
20 - 35 kg
44 - 78 pounds
Weight Female:
35 - 52 kg
77 - 115 pounds
16 - 28 kg
35 - 62 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
4 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Hungarian Kuvasz
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:
White
Dull white with orange (fawn) markings
Coat:
Medium length to long, wavy or straight
short not fine
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Cheerful, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  2. Presa Canario vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  3. Labrador Husky vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  4. Mackenzie River Husky vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  5. Pyredoodle vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  6. Lurcher vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  7. Maremma Sheepdog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  8. Sarplaninac vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  9. Mountain View Cur vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  10. Native American Indian Dog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  11. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  12. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  13. Mucuchies vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  14. Shepherd Husky vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  15. Slovak Cuvac vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  16. Southern Hound vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  17. Taigan vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  18. St. John's Water Dog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  19. Tornjak vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  20. Kuvasz vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  21. Kuvasz vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  22. Kuvasz vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  23. Kuvasz vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  24. Kuvasz vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  25. Kuvasz vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  26. East Siberian Laika vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  27. French Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  28. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  29. Finnish Spitz vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  30. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  31. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  32. Field Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  33. Curly Coated Retriever vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  34. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  35. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  36. Shikoku vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  37. Slovakian Hound vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  38. Small Munsterlander vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  39. Sussex Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  40. Kooikerhondje vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  41. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  42. West Siberian Laika vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  43. Wetterhoun vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  44. Braque Saint-Germain vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  45. Braque Saint-Germain vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  46. Braque Saint-Germain vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  47. Braque Saint-Germain vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  48. Braque Saint-Germain vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  49. Braque Saint-Germain vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  50. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds