Minimum Breed Standards Below are the minimum breeding requirements that all Braque Francais Breeder Alliance breeders agree to follow. These Minimum Breeding Requirements provide an elevated genetic baseline for hunting ability, health, temperament, and conformation for all Braque Francais Breeder Alliance approved litters. In addition to the requirements below, all breeding stock shall be hunted and evaluated on wild game and proven themselves as top performers in the eyes of experienced hunters and trainers. ​

1. ​Both parents must be certified free of hip dysplasia by the University of Pennsylvania (PENNHIP) with results of 50th percentile or better.  Dogs tested through other organizations prior to Jan 1, 2023 with similar results accepted.

2. Both parents must be certified free of eye defects through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). The OFA Eye Certification

3. Neither parent may have a known genetic disorder. Genetic disorders may be diagnosed through obvious visual symptoms, veterinarian diagnosis, or health testing.

4. Neither parent may have a temperament fault. Man shy, gun shy, aggressive, fearful or otherwise mentally unstable dogs of unsound nerves shall not be used for breeding.

5. Neither parent may have a major conformation fault as defined by the FCI standard. Disqualifying faults include: over or undershot jaw, entropic or ectropic eyelids, or missing testicles. More exhaustive conformation and coat evaluations are highly recommended for breeding stock.

6. Dogs considered for a Breeding Program must be evaluated at least at a minimal level versatile dog test which includes evaluation for searching land, pointing, tracking, water entry, nose, desire, and cooperation. Approved evaluations and minimum performances include: NAVHDA NA Prize 2 level work in all subjects.

7. After Dec 31, 2024, at least one parent must be evaluated at a higher level versatile dog test which includes work before and after the shot, on land and in water. Approved evaluations and minimum performances include: NAVHDA UT Prize 3 level work in all subjects.

8. All dogs male or female that have been part of a NAVHDA breeders award litter prior to Dec 31, 2023 are approved for breeding purposes regardless of NAVHDA test performance.  

Minimum Breed Standards

The Braque Francais Breeder Alliance utilizes the premier version of Breedmate software called Pedigree Explorer. Pedigree Explorer allows the entry of more than 20 different fields of data per dog and will calculate Wright’s Coefficient of Relationship and Inbreeding Coefficients to 25 Generations. When a breeding is being planned by a BFBA breeder all the data on available dogs is at their disposal. No information is withheld. All Discussions between BFBA breeders on a prospective breeding focuses on the breeder’s specific goals.

When BFBA Breeders discuss their goals, it is not uncommon for the discussion to reach past the present breeding but where this breeding may take us in two or more generations. A kennel that wants to get somewhere will plan up to 5 Breeding’s ahead. Pedigree Explorer allows Braque Francais Breeder Alliance breeders to forecast out for several generations. A goal shared by all BFBA breeders is to ensure that the Braque Francais remains one of the top performing Versatile Breeds in the World for generations to come.