Pronounced brock-do-bor-bon-NAY, this pointer has a calm, gentle demeanor that is ideally suited for the foot hunter. The breed's relatively small size and short coat make it an ideal home companion for the family that hunts. The Bourbonnais Pointing Dog is known to history since 1598 as a dog "skilful at hunting quail" — a pleasant companion of the hunter, of rustic and healthy appearance.
A medium-sized, short-haired pointing dog of ancient French origin, the Braque du Bourbonnais is compactly built, muscular, and robust, giving the impression of strength and power without excluding a certain elegance. At home it is kind and affectionate; when hunting, full of passion, cautiousness, balance, and cooperative intelligence. It is an even blend between an affectionate family dog and a hard-working hunter.
A 16th-Century Hunting Companion
The origins of the Braque du Bourbonnais can be traced back to as early as 1598 in the Province of Bourbonnais in central France. Early descriptions of the breed date back to the Renaissance, when the Italian naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi created an illustration depicting a spotted dog that looks similar to the modern breed. In his manuscripts, Aldrovandi also describes a Canis Burbonensis — a dog from Bourbonnais. It is likely that the Braque du Bourbonnais is one of the oldest short-haired pointing breeds, its origins tracing back to early hunting dog stock from northern Spain and southern France.
The breed's name means "pointer of Bourbonnais," a historical region in central France created in the 10th century. French hunters embraced the breed, which was born with a short tail, showing a white coat with widespread pale brown or fawn fine ticking. But about 160 years ago, humans started selectively breeding dogs for conformation and appearance, and breeders tried to impose an original "faded lilac" coat and natural short tails — a strict selection on secondary points that a breed with a reduced gene pool could not sustain. The result was a total disaffection of breeders: between 1963 and 1973, there were no registrations in the LOF, the French studbook.
In 1970, breeder Michel Comte decided to look for the last dogs that had some Bourbonnais blood, finding only mixed-breed dogs with some of the breed's characteristics. After some more or less inbred litters, he registered his first Bourbonnais in 1973, and from those dogs several breeders created their own lines. In 1981, the Club du Braque du Bourbonnais was recreated, and the breed's successes in field trials made it thrive. In 1988, the first Bourbonnais was introduced in the United States, which has since become the second producer of Bourbonnais pointers after France.
Compact, Muscular, and Elegant
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a medium-sized, short-haired braccoid-type dog, compactly built, muscular, and robust. Males stand 20 to 22.5 inches at the withers and weigh 40 to 55 pounds; females 19 to 21.5 inches and 35 to 49 pounds. The female is less stocky and more elegant than the male.
The pear-shaped head is a breed characteristic, with a muzzle slightly shorter than the skull, strong and broad at the base and tapering slightly toward the tip. The body is square or slightly longer than tall, with a wide, long, deep chest reaching to or slightly below the elbow. The coat is fine, dense, and short, though sometimes a little coarser and longer on the back. Two coat colors exist — liver, called "wine dregs" or "faded lilac," and fawn, called "peach blossom" — both with fine ticking, and the breed is sometimes born with a naturally short tail.
Calm, Affectionate, and Passionate
The Braque du Bourbonnais has a good temperament and can be a great agreement dog. They are very loyal to their family and love being by their owners' side, but once they're out hunting they are very attentive and motivated. The breed is calm and affectionate around the family, but when hunting it is spirited and highly intelligent.
Affectionate with their family members and somewhat protective of their humans, Bourbonnais are wary of strangers — not unusual when you consider the close bonds these dogs form with their owners. They aren't big barkers, saving their vocalizing to alert their owners; being yappy goes against being a decent hunting companion.
Exercise and Activity
The Braque du Bourbonnais is an active, high-energy dog that needs and wants to run. Daily walks are excellent opportunities to fulfill this need, along with active play time or free time in a fenced yard. They show a lot of activity even if they don't go very far, and their natural pace is a gallop, though under cover they can trot and change direction quickly.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 45–60 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 30–40 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
This dog needs a job and exercise — without enough, it can become destructive. Its remarkable ease of adaptation to the most varied terrains and game, aptitude to point, and useful and precise retrieving make it a consummate hunting companion. The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for exercising an energetic pointing breed.
Training a Braque du Bourbonnais
The Braque du Bourbonnais is intelligent and eager to please, learning quickly and responding well to training. These dogs respond best to positive-reinforcement methods — they are sensitive, eager to please, and won't respond well to harsh words. Hunting dogs are often independent animals and must be reined in occasionally without punishment.
They need an experienced owner who understands their needs and temperament. Start puppies with socialization and training as early as possible. The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming a Braque du Bourbonnais
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a short-haired breed with a minimally shedding coat — easy to care for with a few brushings per week. It is not an excessive shedder, but regular brushing is recommended.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 1–2 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
Routine care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning, and tooth brushing. The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a short-coated breed.
Feeding a Braque du Bourbonnais
As a medium-sized, very active sporting breed, the Braque du Bourbonnais needs a high-quality diet formulated for its life stage and size, with protein and fat appropriate to fuel hunting days. Puppies need to be fed three to four times daily to support growth and activity.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1–1.5 cups | Use a large-breed puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 2–3 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1.5–2.5 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
The breed isn't prone to weight gain since these pups are actively burning off fuel, but monitoring body condition is still wise. Your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a healthy dog — not surprising given the breed's rarity — with an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. As with many sporting breeds, watch for hip and elbow dysplasia, eye problems, and ear infections in the hanging ears. Because of the breed's history of near extinction and small gene pool, responsible breeding is essential.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia screening | Discuss with your vet | OFA/PennHIP on parents |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 6–7 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
The Braque du Bourbonnais is an affectionate pet with its family members, good with kids, and calm in the home. The breed generally loves being around people and does not do well in isolation — it needs attention, which isn't unusual for a hunting companion that bonds with its owners.
These dogs are high-energy, however, and can overwhelm children during play — supervising playtime is wise. Their keen prey drive means they may not be ideal in households with small pets like cats. They can get along with other dogs with proper socialization. If you're weighing whether a Braque du Bourbonnais fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Braque du Bourbonnais means committing to a high-energy hunter that needs daily vigorous exercise, plenty of attention, and a job to do — a bored Bourbonnais becomes destructive, and the breed does not do well in isolation. Its keen prey drive can extend to the family cat, and its energetic play can overwhelm small children. As a rare breed, finding a responsible breeder takes time.
Yet for the right owner, the Braque du Bourbonnais is a gem — a calm, affectionate, loyal companion with centuries of hunting heritage. From 16th-century French hunting grounds to modern homes, the ancient pointer remains a passionate, intelligent, and devoted friend.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Calm, affectionate, and loyal
- Intelligent and eager to please
- Excellent all-around hunter
- Easy-care, minimally shedding coat
- Compact size for a pointing dog
- Adaptable and even-tempered
Disadvantages
- High exercise needs
- Needs attention; doesn't do well in isolation
- Keen prey drive toward small pets
- Energetic play may overwhelm children
- Wary of strangers
- Rare breed; limited availability
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Braque du Bourbonnais get? Males stand 20–22 inches; females 19–21.5 inches, weighing 35–55 pounds.
How long do Braque du Bourbonnais live? Typically 10 to 15 years.
Are Braque du Bourbonnais good family dogs? Yes — they're affectionate and good with kids, with supervision.
Are Braque du Bourbonnais easy to train? Yes — they're intelligent, eager to please, and respond to positive methods.
Are Braque du Bourbonnais good with other pets? They can get along with dogs; cats may trigger their prey drive.
Are Braque du Bourbonnais good apartment dogs? No — they're high-energy hunters needing space to run.
Are Braque du Bourbonnais good hunting dogs? Excellent — they point, retrieve, and adapt to varied game and terrain.
Are Braque du Bourbonnais rare? Yes — most are found in France and the United States.
Do Braque du Bourbonnais bark a lot? No — they're not big barkers, saving vocalizing to alert.
Are Braque du Bourbonnais born with short tails? Sometimes — the breed is known for naturally short or absent tails.
What colors do Braque du Bourbonnais come in? White or brown with liver, fawn, or black ticking.
What health problems do Braque du Bourbonnais have? Hip/elbow dysplasia, eye problems, and ear infections are main concerns.