Volpino Italiano vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison

Volpino Italiano vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed ComparisonVolpino Italiano is originated from Italy but Braque Saint-Germain is originated from France. Volpino Italiano may grow 32 cm / 12 inches shorter than Braque Saint-Germain. Volpino Italiano may weigh 23 kg / 50 pounds lesser than Braque Saint-Germain. Both Volpino Italiano and Braque Saint-Germain has almost same life span. Both Volpino Italiano and Braque Saint-Germain has almost same litter size. Volpino Italiano requires High maintenance. But Braque Saint-Germain requires Low maintenance

History

volpino italiano - historyThis Italian bred dog is Spitz-type and very ancient. The Spitz breeds have been around since at least 4000BC. Archeologists have found remains that match the Spitz heritage of fox like heads, curly tails, erect small ears. In Greece in 400BC there were engravings of these dogs. Michelangelo painted the breed as he lived with one. In 1888, the Queen of England – Victoria – brought 6 back to England from Florence.

The Italians have loved the Volpino for centuries. These little dogs that resemble the Pomeranian so much but existed much before them. It was very early in the history of the domesticated dog that the Volpino moved from north to south. The Italians called them Volpino because it means foxy dog. They also called them Lupino which means wolfy dog.

The breed was never seen outside of its home range in Italy until the 1880’s and it is still a rare breed. However since the 1980’s the breeders of the American Eskimo brought some from Italy to the US and claimed they were American Ekimo runts. They interbred the Volpino with the American Eskimo creating the toy and mini Eskimo.

The Volpino was a guard dog alerting the Mastiffs to the presence of intruders. The Mastiff would then respond to the intruder. The Volpino was also a popular companion animal due to their easy temperament and their high intelligence level. However they grew less popular and by 1965 there were only a few registered dogs left. There was an attempt to revive the breed in 1984 when dogs that still lived on farms were used as new stock. Even with this, they remain a rare breed and only about 4000 are alive throughout the world.

The Volpino have been denied AKC registration or stock registration as they are considered to be too much like the American Eskimo Dog. However they are recognized by the FCI, the UKC, the ENCI (Italian National Kennel Club), the North American Volpino Club, the Volpino Italiano Health and Genealogy Club and the Volpino Club of America.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
Italy
France
Height Male:
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
Height Female:
23 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
55 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
9 - 12 kg
19 - 27 pounds
20 - 35 kg
44 - 78 pounds
Weight Female:
7 - 10 kg
15 - 23 pounds
16 - 28 kg
35 - 62 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 16 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
4 - 8
Size:
Toy dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Cane del Quirinale Florentine Spitz Italian Spitz Pom Spitz Volpino
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:
fawn, mostly white in past were black, honey, sable, champagne, red
Dull white with orange (fawn) markings
Coat:
long and bushy coat
short not fine
Shedding:
Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Curious, Energetic, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful
Affectionate, Cheerful, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Sweet
Grooming:
High maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

volpino italiano puppy - descriptionThe Volpino is about the same size as the Pomeranian and smaller than the American Eskimo Dog. They are a rare breed and they have a soft, thick coat and they can be red, white or champagne. With the pointed ears and muzzles, they do look like a fox. They have large thick tails curling over their back and they have double coats.

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

Characteristics

1Children friendliness yes but better with older children than young ones

2.Special talents – loyalty and playfulness – people are his specialty

3.Adaptability very could live anywhere

4.Learning ability high loves to learn, very intelligent

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

Health Problems

volpino italiano puppies - health problemsThe Italian Volpino has better health than most dogs due to so much isolation for so many years. However they are susceptible to some diseases and genetic issues.

• PLL Primary Lens Luxation – Genetic mutation of the eye. Very painful and usually occurs between 4 and 8 years of age. Usually results in euthanasia.

• Patellar Luxation – moving knee cap – can result in lameness and/or arthritis.

  • Cardiac Issues

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

Caring for Pet

volpino italiano dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy small meals 3-4 times day don’t overfeed feed small breed food

2.Feeding the adult small meals 2x day don’t overfeed small breed food

3.Points for Good Health general excellent health

4. Games and Exercises

don’t require much Agility, nose work, and rally

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Volpino Italiano vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Volpino Italiano vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  3. Volpino Italiano vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  4. Volpino Italiano vs Havanese - Breed Comparison
  5. Volpino Italiano vs Chorkie - Breed Comparison
  6. Volpino Italiano vs Pekingese - Breed Comparison
  7. Volpino Italiano vs Chinese Crested Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Volpino Italiano vs Chiweenie - Breed Comparison
  9. Volpino Italiano vs Chug - Breed Comparison
  10. Volpino Italiano vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  11. Volpino Italiano vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  12. Volpino Italiano vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison
  13. Volpino Italiano vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison
  14. Volpino Italiano vs English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) - Breed Comparison
  15. Volpino Italiano vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  16. Volpino Italiano vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  17. Volpino Italiano vs Russian Toy Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Volpino Italiano vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  19. Volpino Italiano vs Phalene - Breed Comparison
  20. Volpino Italiano vs Bugg - Breed Comparison
  21. Volpino Italiano vs Cockachon - Breed Comparison
  22. Volpino Italiano vs Shih Tzu - Breed Comparison
  23. Volpino Italiano vs Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Volpino Italiano vs Snorkie - Breed Comparison
  25. Volpino Italiano vs Toy Bulldog - 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