The Braque du Bourbonnais is a versatile French pointing breed known for its friendly nature, drive in the field, and affection at home.
How the Braque du Bourbonnais coat is built, and what that means when you groom it.
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a medium-sized French pointing breed valued for its friendly temperament, steady drive in the field, and close attachment to its family.
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a versatile gundog from central France. It points and retrieves game, working at a moderate, methodical pace that suits foot hunters rather than wide-ranging field trials. The breed stays close to its handler and checks in often, which makes it manageable for hunters who prefer a dog within gun range.
Away from the field, the Bourbonnais is affectionate and people-oriented. It tends to attach strongly to one household and prefers to be near its family rather than left alone for long stretches. The breed is intelligent and hardworking and responds well to consistent handling.
Adult dogs are medium in size, built for endurance rather than speed. The coat is short and easy to maintain. The breed is sometimes recognised by its naturally short or absent tail, a trait that appears in many but not all individuals.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | France |
| Size | Medium |
| Lifespan | 13 to 15 years |
| Group/role | Pointing gundog (versatile hunting breed) |
| Good with | Family members, including children when socialised; other dogs with introduction |
The breed fits active homes that can provide daily exercise and regular mental work. It suits hunters who want a close-working pointer, as well as committed companion owners who can meet its activity needs. It is less suited to people who are away from home for long hours, since the breed dislikes isolation.
The Braque du Bourbonnais comes from the Bourbonnais region of central France and is one of the older French pointing types, with a recorded history that includes near-extinction and a twentieth-century revival.
The breed takes its name from the historic province of Bourbonnais in central France. It belongs to the braque family of continental pointing dogs that developed in France over several centuries to find and point feathered and furred game for hunters on foot.
References to short-tailed pointing dogs from the region appear in French hunting writing from earlier centuries, and the type was associated with the Bourbonnais area well before formal breed registries existed. Early dogs were prized as practical hunting companions rather than show animals.
A breed club and standard were established in France in the early twentieth century, giving the type a defined description. Numbers fell sharply through the middle of the century, and at one point very few representatives remained, partly because strict adherence to coat and tail requirements limited the breeding pool.
A revival effort began in France in the 1970s, when breeders worked to rebuild the population and broaden the accepted colour range. The breed was later exported to other countries, including the United States and Canada, where interest grew among hunters seeking a close-working versatile pointer. In Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) recognises the breed within the sporting group.
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a medium, well-balanced pointing dog with a short fine coat, ticked or roan colouring in fawn or liver shades, and often a naturally short tail.
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a compact, muscular pointer of medium size. The body is slightly longer than it is tall, with a level topline and a deep chest that reflects its working endurance. The head is moderate, with a fairly broad skull, soft expression, and ears set at eye level that hang close to the cheeks.
A distinctive feature is the tail. Many dogs are born with a naturally short tail or no tail, though some are born with a full-length tail. The breed standard accepts naturally short tails, and this trait is part of the breed's traditional identity.
| Trait | Standard |
|---|---|
| Height | About 48 to 57 cm (19 to 22 in) at the shoulder; males larger than females |
| Weight | About 16 to 25 kg (35 to 55 lb) |
| Coat | Short, fine, and dense; close-lying |
| Colours | Ticked or roan patterns in fawn (faded-lilac) or liver (peach-blossom and wine-dreg) shades |
| Eyes | Hazel to dark amber, in keeping with coat colour; gentle expression |
The coat is short and lies flat against the body, keeping grooming simple. Colouring is the breed's most recognisable feature. The ground is heavily ticked or roaned, producing two traditional descriptions: a fawn-based pattern often called faded lilac, and a liver-based pattern described with the historic terms peach-blossom and wine-dreg. Solid white is not typical of the breed, and the ticking gives the coat its characteristic mottled look.
The Braque du Bourbonnais is friendly, affectionate, and intelligent, bonding closely with its family while staying focused and biddable in the field.
The Braque du Bourbonnais combines a calm home manner with a strong working drive. Within the household it is gentle and affectionate, forming a close bond with its people. The breed generally does well with children when raised with them and properly introduced, and it tends to be even-tempered rather than excitable indoors.
With strangers the breed is usually reserved but not aggressive. Early socialisation helps it stay confident in new settings. With other dogs it is typically sociable, and many individuals live well in multi-dog homes after careful introductions. As a pointing breed with hunting instincts, it may show interest in small animals and birds, so supervision around smaller pets is sensible.
The breed is sensitive and responds best to patient handling. Harsh corrections can make it anxious or withdrawn. It dislikes being left alone for long periods and can become restless or develop nuisance behaviour if under-stimulated.
| Trait | Rating |
|---|---|
| Affection | 5 |
| Energy | 4 |
| Trainability | 4 |
| Vocalness | 2 |
| Shedding | 2 |
The Braque du Bourbonnais needs a lot of daily exercise and mental work, but its short coat keeps grooming straightforward.
The breed adapts to house or rural living as long as its exercise needs are met, but it is not suited to long hours alone or to a sedentary household. A securely fenced yard helps, though the dog should not be left outdoors as its only outlet. Because the coat is short, the dog needs shelter from cold and wet weather. Canadian winters demand particular attention to warmth and dry conditions.
A working dog of medium size, the Braque du Bourbonnais does well on a complete diet matched to its activity level, fed in measured meals to maintain lean condition.
The Braque du Bourbonnais should eat a complete, balanced diet suited to its life stage and workload. Active hunting dogs burn more calories during the season and may need more food at that time, while less active companion dogs need careful portioning to avoid weight gain. Feed measured amounts rather than leaving food out, and adjust based on body condition: the ribs should be easy to feel but not visible.
| Life stage | Amount per day | Meals |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (2 to 6 months) | Per product guide for growth; frequent small portions | 3 to 4 |
| Junior (6 to 12 months) | Per product guide, tapering toward adult amount | 2 to 3 |
| Adult (companion) | About 200 to 300 g of quality dry food, adjusted to weight | 2 |
| Adult (working/hunting season) | Increased to match energy use | 2 |
| Senior | Reduced calories; maintain protein for muscle | 2 |
Keep treats to a small share of daily calories and use them for training rather than free feeding. A balanced commercial diet usually supplies complete nutrition, so supplements are not needed for most dogs. Discuss joint or conditioning supplements with a veterinarian before adding them, particularly for hard-working or older dogs. Fresh water should be available at all times, with extra access during fieldwork.
The Braque du Bourbonnais is generally a hardy breed with a typical lifespan of 13 to 15 years, though responsible breeders screen for a few conditions seen in pointing dogs.
The Braque du Bourbonnais is considered a robust, healthy breed, helped by a relatively diverse working background. Most dogs live 13 to 15 years with good care. As with many medium and active breeds, a small number of orthopaedic and ear-related issues can occur, and reputable breeders test breeding stock where screening is available.
| Condition | Signs | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | Stiffness, limping, reluctance to jump or run | Choose breeders who screen hips; keep dogs lean |
| Ear infections | Head shaking, odour, scratching at ears | Drop ears trap moisture; clean and dry after water work |
| Eye disorders | Cloudiness, vision changes | Periodic eye checks help catch problems early |
| Skin or coat sensitivity | Irritation, hot spots | Inspect after fieldwork; remove burrs and ticks |
Intelligent and eager to please, the Braque du Bourbonnais trains readily with patient, reward-based methods and benefits from early field exposure.
The Braque du Bourbonnais is intelligent, focused, and keen to work with its handler, making it a responsive student. The breed is sensitive, so it learns faster with encouragement than with pressure. Harsh handling tends to cause it to shut down rather than improve. Short, consistent sessions hold its attention and build reliable habits, and its natural tendency to stay close makes recall and fieldwork easier to develop than in wider-ranging breeds.
Responsible breeding of the Braque du Bourbonnais focuses on health-tested parents, with average litters and careful management of the breed's tail and colour traits.
Breeding the Braque du Bourbonnais should be undertaken only with health-screened parents and a clear understanding of the breed standard. Dogs reach physical maturity over their first one to two years, and breeders generally wait until a bitch is fully mature before her first litter. Mating, gestation, and whelping follow the normal canine pattern, with gestation lasting roughly nine weeks.
Litters are of moderate size. Because the breed carries the naturally short-tail trait, puppies in a single litter may be born with short tails, full tails, or no tail. Breeders manage pairings carefully, since combining certain short-tail genetics can affect litter viability. Colour and ticking patterns are also considered against the standard.
Raising young requires attention to early socialisation. The dam and breeder handle the puppies often, introduce gentle new experiences, and begin basic habituation before the pups go to new homes, usually after eight weeks. Early exposure shapes the confident, people-focused temperament the breed is valued for.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Sexual maturity | Around 12 to 24 months |
| Gestation | About 63 days (roughly 9 weeks) |
| Average litter size | Around 4 to 7 puppies |
| Weaning age | About 6 to 8 weeks |
| Go-home age | From about 8 weeks, after early socialisation |
A free lifetime United Pet Club record for your Braque du Bourbonnais, with the microchip registered at no cost and kept current through every move.
Canadian shelters and vet clinics scan strays at intake as a matter of routine, and the scan helps only when a registry ties your Braque du Bourbonnais to a phone that still rings. Registering your dog with United Pet Club takes a few minutes, never costs anything, and works whether or not a chip is in place yet. Add the breed, a photo, and your postal code, and the record is live.
Sixty seconds with a scanner reads the chip; whether your Braque du Bourbonnais gets home depends on the record behind the number. Microchip registration with United Pet Club is free for life, takes every brand sold in Canada, and keeps the record searchable on both sides of the border. Sign up free and give the number somewhere to point.
Open a free United Pet Club account, fill in your Braque du Bourbonnais's name, breed details, and a photo, and save. The lifetime plan is free, no chip required, and the chip number can be attached after your vet appointment.
Add the 15-digit number to your account along with your address, postal code, and phone number. Registration and unlimited updates are free for life, and chips from any manufacturer a Canadian vet uses are accepted.
There is no federal requirement, but several cities fold chips into their licensing bylaws, and travel with the dog goes smoother when the chip is registered. The record, not the implant, is what identifies your Braque du Bourbonnais.
Nothing, ever. United Pet Club's lifetime plan covers the profile, the chip record, and every update without fees or renewals.
Common questions about the Braque du Bourbonnais cover its size, temperament, care needs, lifespan, suitability, and availability.
It is a medium breed, standing about 48 to 57 cm (19 to 22 in) at the shoulder and weighing roughly 16 to 25 kg (35 to 55 lb), with males larger than females.
It is friendly, affectionate, and intelligent at home, and focused and hardworking in the field. It bonds closely with its family, is usually reserved with strangers, and generally gets on with other dogs.
Grooming is easy because of the short coat, but exercise needs are high. The breed needs one to two hours of daily activity plus mental work and does not do well left alone for long periods.
The typical lifespan is 13 to 15 years with good care and a healthy weight.
Yes, for active families that can meet its exercise needs. It is gentle with children when socialised and prefers to be close to its people, so it suits households where someone is often home.
The breed carries a naturally short-tail trait. Puppies may be born with a short tail, no tail, or a full tail, and the short tail is a traditional part of the breed's identity.
The breed is relatively uncommon in Canada, though a small number of breeders work with the breed and it is recognised by the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). Expect to contact specialist breeders and possibly wait for a litter.
