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Braque Du Bourbonnais | Dog Breed Info, Pictures, Personality & Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Braque Du Bourbonnais

Height: 19 – 22½ inches
Weight: 35 – 53 pounds
Lifespan: 10 – 12 years
Colors: White with liver or fawn markings
Suitable for: Active families, families with children, large homes with access to a yard
Temperament: Sweet, friendly, affectionate, sensitive, and energetic

The Braque du Bourbonnais is pronounced as “brock-do-bor-bon-NAY.” This is a French pooch, who is rare in both France and America. They were bred many centuries ago but only made their way over to America in 1988. And since then, American breed lovers have worked tirelessly to get them closer to American Kennel Club recognition.

They’re not there yet, but they are proving to be very popular with both hunters and families alike. This is an intense working dog, and only active families should take this pooch on. But if you can provide them with their demanding exercise needs, they will reward you in lots of love, cuddles, and doggy kisses.

Think you’ve got what it takes to be a Braque du Bourbonnais owner? Let’s get down to all the doggy details.

Divider 1Braque du Bourbonnais Puppies

Braque Du Bourbonnais

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Braque du Bourbonnais is an energetic dog. There is no doubt about it, if you cannot guarantee that he’ll get at least 60 minutes of intense exercise every day, you should move onto another breed. This dog is a live wire, and their brain is super intelligent. With their working dog energy, this dog requires an outlet. If you cannot provide them with this, they will become destructive and will make you feel guilty about it, but if you can, they’re totally worth it.

This dog also craves human companionship and hates to be left alone for any amount of time. If you seek an independent dog who will take themself away for a snooze and let you get on with your day, this is not that dog. Instead, this is a dog that wants to be by your side 24/7.

This dog is very obedient, but it is a Pointer. For those who don’t know what a Pointer is, it is an incredibly driven hunting dog. And once they have caught a scent, they will likely not listen to you no matter what. If you let them off-leash, you might not get them back for a few hours.

This is some people’s idea of doggy heaven, but for some, it is their idea of a pain in the butt. It’s safe to say that the Braque du Bourbonnais is not for everyone, but this is some people’s idea of the perfect pup. Either way, you need to have a long and hard think about if this is what you want and if you are what this dog needs.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Braque du Bourbonnais

1. The Braque du Bourbonnais is one of the oldest Pointer breeds.

This pooch is one of the original Pointers, if not the original. The first mention of this breed was in the 16th century, mentioned in books and depicted on various renaissance paintings. They are of French origin and hail from the center of France in Bourbonnais.


2. The Braque du Bourbonnais only sports two colors.

This dog has the choice of a white and liver-colored coat (also known as chestnut) or a white and fawn-colored coat. This is what makes them distinctive from other pointer-type dogs. Most pups are born completely white, and their spots and marking will come through within the first few weeks.


3. The Braque du Bourbonnais nearly became extinct.

The Braque du Bourbonnais is so rare that they nearly became extinct. Unfortunately, their strict breed standards, mainly due to their unique coloring and docked tail, were so strict that breeders gave up. When no puppies were registered for 10 years, the breed standard was relaxed, and lovers began to revive the breed again.

Braque du Bourbonnais in the kitchen
Image Credit: Aiste Stankeviciute, Shutterstock

Divider 2Temperament & Intelligence of the Braque du Bourbonnais 🧠

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a sweet dog who is always completely smitten with their family. So, not only does this dog always love to be around you, but they are also full to the brim with love, kisses, and cuddles. This is one of the sweetest dog breeds, and many Braque du Bourbonnais owners would never have another dog breed because of this kind trait.

With family, they’re a fun and enjoyable dog to be with and always up for a game of some sort, mainly because they have so much energy, but also because they would rather be outside having fun with family rather than be alone in the house watching.

This is a friendly dog and happy to accept neck scratches and belly rubs from anyone offering them. This makes them ideal for those families who are always having visitors over or lots of visits from the delivery guy. This isn’t much of a watchdog or family guard dog.

This breed is also quite a sensitive pup who doesn’t like change. They like to get up in the morning, have a long walk, and come home to routine cuddles and time with family. They will  pick up on stress within the family and don’t like being told off.

This dog is also super intelligent, eager to please, and always looking for praise. These traits combined make them a really trainable pup, but as you already know, this is tainted a little by their high prey drive.

Are Braque du Bourbonnais Good for Families? 🏡

Yes, the Braque du Bourbonnais makes a fantastic family dog, but it has to be the right family. Their family needs to spend most of their time with them and provide the exercise that they require. They will live happily with a family with kids or a retired couple, just as long as you can supply them with their basic needs.

This breed is not suited to apartment life, and ideally, they need to live in a home with access to their own yard. Their high prey drive means that the yard needs to be secured. Otherwise, they will be running off into the sunset without looking back.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

This is dependent on what kind of pets you already have in the home. They get on well with other dogs, just as long as they are socialized well as a pup. They will also probably get along well with other cats, but no matter how polite they are, they will not be able to live with rodents or other smaller furry creatures.

The Braque Bourbon_Aiste Stankeviciute_shutterstock1
Credit: Aiste Stankeviciute, Shutterstock

Divider 4Things to Know When Owning a Braque du Bourbonnais:

So, now that you know about this dog’s personality and whether you are a match made in heaven (or hell!), here are a few other day-to-day requirements.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a medium-sized dog and will consume around 2.5 cups of food every day. This is an energetic and athletic dog who should be fed a high-quality diet to keep them sustained throughout the day and provide a well-balanced diet.

Look to feed a kibble that is suited to their life stage. For example, for a puppy, feed them a puppy kibble, and so on. Each of their life stages requires different nutrients, so it’s essential to make sure that they get everything they need. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) suggests puppies need a protein content of at least 22%. Adults require a protein content of at least 18%.

Exercise 🐕

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a high-energy dog, and you need to be able to set aside at least 60 minutes every day for intense activity. This doesn’t just mean a stroll around the block. This means jogging, mountain adventures, and constant fetching in and out of the water just as a few examples.

This is a friendly pup who will also enjoy a good romp down at your local doggy park, so be sure to fit this into your schedule. Because this dog is really intelligent, it’s a good idea to mix up their activities to avoid them becoming bored. And just in case you missed it earlier, you should keep this guy on a leash because of their high prey drive.

The Braque Bourbon_Aiste Stankeviciute_shutterstock
Image Credit: Aiste Stankeviciute, Shutterstock

Training 🦮

All dogs need training, and for the Braque du Bourbonnais to be the pleasantly polite pooch that we all know and love, they need guidance. Reputable breeders will start the socialization process as soon as they can walk. And you should continue this as soon as you get them home.

Expose your dog to a variety of situations, particularly ones that you know they will experience regularly. This could be walking down a noisy sidewalk, mixing them with other dogs and animals, as well as unfamiliar humans. This all helps to keep them polite and builds their confidence.

Since this is a needy dog who doesn’t like to be left alone, it’s a great idea to crate train them for those times that you need to leave them alone. By crate training, not only will you provide them with a safe space that they can call their own, but it will also give you peace of mind. Anxious dogs are destructive dogs, no matter how well-behaved they are when they are with you.

Grooming ✂️

The Braque du Bourbonnais has a relatively easy grooming schedule. Their coat is short and sleek and requires minimal brushing compared to many other dog breeds. A brush once a week will help to keep the coat look shiny and healthy.

Bathe them once every 8 to 12 weeks or so, but never more than this because you risk damaging the natural coat oils. Some Braque du Bourbonnais suffer from skin conditions, so its wise to invest in a gentle doggy shampoo that uses oatmeal. Their nails are known to grow quickly, despite the constant grinding when exercising, so be sure to keep them trimmed.

The Braque du Bourbonnais has long dropdown ears that are prone to infection. For this reason, you need to clean them once a week to prevent the buildup of any bacteria. If they regularly suffer from ear infections, you will probably need to increase this.

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a relatively healthy dog that enjoys a lifespan of 10 to 12 years. As with any purebred dog, they are prone to certain conditions. For this reason, it’s a good idea to research what these problems are and their associated signs. Here are the most common health concerns for this breed:

Minor Conditions
  • Entropion
  • Ectropion
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Ear infections
Serious Conditions
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Pulmonic stenosis

Divider 5Male vs. Female

There is very little difference between male and female Braque du Bourbonnais other than their size. Males are typically larger than their female counterparts, but considering that they are only medium-sized breeds, this shouldn’t have too much of an influence on your choice between a male and female.

Instead, their upbringing, training, and family environment are more likely to influence their personality. This is why it is essential to work with a reputable breeder and ensure that you can guarantee them everything that they require.

Divider 3Final Thoughts: Braque du Bourbonnais

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a rare and underrated dog for sure. This breed is fun, lively, and super sweet with their immediate family, as well as polite and friendly with strangers. But for them to be the amazing dog that we have described, you need to be sure that this is the right dog for you.

You might have to travel to find a reputable breeder, and you also might have to be placed on a waiting list. But as long as you can guarantee that they will receive plenty of company and exercise, you and your Braque du Bourbonnais will live happily ever after.


Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock, PRESSLAB

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