Sporting breed Large size 22-28 kg

Auvergne Short Haired Pointer

A calm-natured but athletic French pointer, affectionate and biddable, that thrives with an active hunting or sporting owner.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
22-28 kg · 53-63 cm
Very high
Exercise needs
Tireless; needs a job and hard daily exercise
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Copes with a normal workday if eased in
Trainable
Training
Eager and responsive to training
Wash-and-go
Coat care
Wash-and-go coat
Good
Fit with kids
Good, patient family dog
Good
Other pets
Generally sociable with other animals
Light
Health burden
Dental Disease, Hip Dysplasia

The Auvergne Short Haired Pointer typically weighs 22-28 kg, stands 53-63 cm, and lives 11-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you hunt, hike, or run and want a dog that works beside you all day,
you want a pointer that is gentler and more people-focused than most,
someone is home a fair amount and the dog joins family life,
you have space - a house with land beats any apartment setup.

Do not consider this breed if…

you cannot commit to an hour or two of real exercise every single day,
you live in an apartment or a home with no secure outdoor space,
you want a dog available at short notice - litters are rare in the US and waitlists or imports are the norm,
small pets like rabbits roam free at home; this is a bird dog with prey drive.

A typical day with a Auvergne Short Haired Pointer

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long run or off-leash field time, 60+ minutes
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Settles quietly indoors near its people
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk with sniffing time
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Retrieve or pointing work, 20-30 minutes
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Family time; leans on whoever sits still
  6. 21:00 · Night
    A well-worked pointer sleeps soundly

Temperament and training

Trainability High
Drive to work Very high
Affection High
Prey drive High
Sensitivity High
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Buying a working-line pointer for a walk-around-the-block lifestyle · Using harsh corrections on a soft, handler-sensitive breed · Trusting off-leash recall around birds before it is proofed

Family and environment

Kids Good
Gentle and patient; boisterous when young, so supervise toddlers.
Dogs Good
Sociable pack-style hunter; usually easy with other dogs.
Cats Conditional
Workable when raised together; bird-dog instincts remain.
Apartment Poor fit
Too much engine for flat life, even with effort.
House with a yard Suitable
A fenced yard helps but does not replace fieldwork.
City Conditional
Possible only with serious daily outings out of town.
Countryside Ideal
Fields and forests are what it was bred for.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Dental Disease Routine dental care and cleanings needed
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock; watch for early lameness
Chronic Ear Infections Keep the ears dry and check them often
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Genetic test available; leads to vision loss

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Same job, far easier to find in the US
German Short Haired Pointer
A versatile, athletic gundog that shines with a very active owner, but it needs serious daily exercise and company or it grows restless and destructive.
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Classic pointing dog with similar drive
Pointer
A tireless field pointer that thrives on daily running and birdwork - poorly suited to a quiet apartment or a sedentary owner.
View profile →
Softer-natured bird dog for family homes
English Setter
A gentle, feathered bird dog that is great with family but needs daily exercise and regular coat care to stay content.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Auvergne Short Haired Pointer cost?
This is a rare breed in the US - only a handful of breeders exist, so expect waitlists or importing from France. Puppies typically run $1,500-$3,000 before import costs, which can add $1,000-$2,500 more. Over an 11-14 year life, food and routine vet care commonly add $15,000-$25,000 or more, and orthopedic or emergency care can push that higher.
Is the Auvergne pointer a good family dog?
Yes, with one big condition: the family has to be active. It is one of the gentler, more affectionate pointers - patient with kids and keen to be part of everything - but its exercise needs are serious. In a sedentary home the same dog becomes restless, noisy, and destructive.
Can an Auvergne Short Haired Pointer live in an apartment?
Realistically, no. This is a tireless field dog bred to cover ground all day. Even with committed owners, apartment life plus city walks rarely covers its needs, and a frustrated pointer is loud and destructive. A house with land and daily off-leash work is the right setting.
Do I need to hunt to own one?
No, but you need a substitute for the work. Running, bikejoring, field training, or serious scent games can stand in for actual hunting. What you cannot do is skip the job entirely - this breed was selected for stamina and drive, and it does not switch those off at home.