Braque du Bourbonnaise Dog Breed Information

Group

Foundation Stock Service

Weight

18-25 kg

Height

50-57 cm

Lifespan

13-15 years

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About the Braque du Bourbonnaise

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a medium-sized dog with a classic, rustic look, which is also known as a French Pointer, French Pointing Dog, or Bourbonnais Pointing dog.

This beautiful, unique pooch looks like a stereotypical farm dog with beautifully unique colouration. They are calm and loving with their family but show dedication and enthusiasm when being used for hunting or work. They are adaptable, intelligent dogs that require a decent amount of physical and mental stimulation.

What is the history & origin of the Braque du Bourbonnaise?

The exact history of this dog is unknown, but it’s known to originate from the Bourbonnais Province in France. It is one of the oldest breeds of short-haired point dogs and can likely be traced back to Spain and Southern France.

The Braque du Bourbonnais breed and most other pointing breeds were mostly unknown outside of France until after World War I, when the first Braque du Bourbonnais Club was founded in 1925.

Following World War II, the breed club ceased functioning and remained out of action until breeder Michel Comte achieved a specimen worthy of registration in the French studbook in 1970.

This rare breed is currently part of the Foundation Stock Service, which is the pre-approval stage for the American Kennel Club and will be accepted properly once sufficient numbers are met.

What is a Braque du Bourbonnaise breed?

Braque du Bourbonnais dogs are medium-sized dogs with short, smooth coats that they shed minimally.

They are most commonly white with fawn and faded lilac ticking. This purple ticking is given the name ‘wine dregs’ while the lighter fawn ticking is known as ‘peach blossom.’

They have large floppy brown ears and often have a brown snout.

Who is a Braque du Bourbonnaise best for?

Pointing dogs are called so as they are used by hunters to spot prey and then ‘point’ the hunter in the right direction both with their nose and with their loud, sharp bark.

The Braque du Bourbonnais is used to hunting in packs, so it will thrive in a family and alongside other dogs, so having children or other pets won’t be an issue.

They can become incredibly attached to family members if given the chance and, as such, can suffer from severe separation anxiety if regularly left alone for extended periods, so they are best suited to homes where someone is regularly present in the house, so they don’t get stressed.

They’re energetic dogs, requiring space to roam around, and shouldn’t be kept in a kennel or cage.

They have high energy levels, so they will do best in an active family or at least one willing to engage in the right amount of exercise to keep them satisfied.

Braque du Bourbonnaise Grooming & Shedding

The Braque du Bourbonnais has a dense short coat and is a moderate shedder that is relatively easy to groom. They should be brushed 1-3 times a week.

Brushing doesn’t just keep them clean; it’s also a great time to check for any bumps, scratches, or other anomalies.

Their eyes and ears should be regularly cleaned to avoid infections.

Do Braque du Bourbonnaises bark a lot?

The Braque du Bourbonnais was bred to bark to alert French hunters to nearby game, so this dog can have a tendency to bark. They have good control over their vocals and will vary their bark depending on the reason.

Some of the main reasons they will bark are protection, boredom, fear, attention-seeking, and separation anxiety. They are bred to bark for a particular job, so they are not prone to barking compulsively.

They are fantastic guard dogs and will always be vocal if they are trying to alert you to a change in their territory.

What is the average weight & height of a Braque du Bourbonnaise dog?

A male Braque du Bourbonnais will be between 50-57 cm at the withers and weigh between 18-25 kg while a female will grow up to 55 cm and weigh between 16-22 kg.

Are Braque du Bourbonnaises easy to train?

The Braque du Bourbonnais responds excellently to training. They require daily exercise to cater to their active nature, so their high energy levels don’t show as antisocial behaviours.

They love any sort of outdoor activity, so if you want to branch out from walks, they love swimming and agility exercises or a simple indoor game like hide-and-seek to supplement their daily walk.

They are best treated with a fair, even hand and respond well to positive reinforcement. Remember, this is a fairly ancient breed that has been taking instructions from humans for hundreds of years, so responding to the correct kind of instruction is in their blood.

As with any dog, beginning training and socialising at a young age is important to get on top of any problem behaviour before they become ingrained habits. It’s important to not let their adorable puppy dog eyes get in the way of the proper training.

How do Braque du Bourbonnaises behave? A look at their temperament and personality

The Braque du Bourbonnais is an affectionate and friendly dog that thrives on interaction. They want nothing more than to be around their family and are prone to separation anxiety if left alone for too long.

They are bred as working dogs, so they are highly intelligent and have a high amount of energy that needs to be used up properly.

If you have the sort of family that enjoys going out on hikes, hunting or fishing, they make the perfect companion for this kind of mental stimulation and will be more than happy just to be with you in the wilderness.

Does the Braque du Bourbonnaise have any common health issues?

Due to inbreeding during the 70s, there are some health problems that may be recurrent in certain dogs, including –

Hip Dysplasia: A genetic condition where the hip joint doesn’t fit properly, leading to arthritis and mobility issues.
Pulmonic Stenosis: A heart condition that involves narrowing of the outflow tract, which can lead to heart complications.
Entropion/Ectropion: These are eyelid conditions; entropion causes the eyelids to roll inward, while ectropion leads to them rolling outward, both resulting in irritation and discomfort.

What is the lifespan of a Braque du Bourbonnaise?

With the correct exercise and diet, a Braque du Bourbonnais has a life expectancy of between 13-15 years.

How much does a Braque du Bourbonnaise need to be fed?

When you purchase a Braque du Bourbonnais from a breeder, they will supply you with a feeding plan that it is important to stick to as they develop to avoid upsetting their stomachs.

Once they develop, you should move them onto two and a half cups of adult kibble every day. Their high energy levels require high quality, nutritious diet.

How much can you expect to pay for a Braque du Bourbonnaise in Australia?

These ancient pointers are still a very rare, specialised breed, so you can expect to pay a minimum of $1500 once you find a breeder.

Braque du Bourbonnaise FAQs

Is a Braque du Bourbonnaise ideal for a first-time dog owner?

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a medium-sized dog breed, so it won’t pose any of the issues a larger dog would for first-time owners.

Though they are energetic, it’s a different sort of energy to a terrier, and they’re not troublesome or cheeky dogs. They take well to training and are very well behaved if socialised properly.

They’re affectionate and make fantastic family dogs, so if you’re a first-time owner, the Braque du Bourbonnais, though difficult to track down, might be the right dog for you.

Do Braque du Bourbonnaises suffer from separation anxiety?

The upshot of the Braque du Bourbonnais affection is that they can suffer from acute separation anxiety if they’re not given the right amount of attention.

These can lead to several troubling behaviours, such as destroying furniture to get rid of their energy or going to the toilet where they shouldn’t to get attention.

Are Braque du Bourbonnaises hypoallergenic dogs?

The Braque du Bourbonnais isn’t hypoallergenic, but they have very short coats which they shed minimally.

Will a Braque du Bourbonnaise need professional grooming?

The Braque du Bourbonnais is very low maintenance, having been bred for life on the farm where a professional groomer wasn’t on hand. They only need to be brushed a few times a week and bathed a dozen times over a year.