Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
Braque du Bourbonnais is an ancient purebred dog of unusual appearance.
Their coat, next to great hunting instincts, is what makes them famous within the canine world.
Much appreciated among hunters, these dogs are even today often seen hunting next to humans. They are great with other dogs and they know how to behave around horses.
In general, dogs who were bred to be hunting dogs know how to behave around taller and much stronger animals, such as horses.
As they love to spend time with humans all they long, they may be prone to separation anxiety.
When neglected or feeling bored, they may show serious signs of destructive behavior.
They are easy to train, as they are quick learners and they do great with other dogs – they just love being a part of the pack.
If you can provide enough love, support, and time for this breed then the Braque du Bourbonnais might be the breed for you.
Quick Facts
Real name: Braque du Bourbonnais
Other names: Bourbonnais Pointer, Bourbonnais Pointing Dog
Origin: France
Breed type: Working Dogs
Weight: 35 to 55 pounds
Height: 18 to 23 inches
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Litter Size: 3 – 6 puppies
Color: White, brown ticked and fawn ticked
Coat: Short and fine
Braque du Bourbonnais History
Braque du Bourbonnais or the French Pointer is one of the world’s best tracking and retrieving dogs. This is an ancient breed, and one of the most ancient pointers developed in France.
First records of this breed started appearance in the late 1500s when the breed was much appreciated for great hunting instincts.
Braque du Bourbonnais is originally from the province of Bourbonnais in France.
Like many breeds, their extinction was in danger during the World Wars, but thanks to breeders’ efforts the breed survived.
The very first club of Bourbonnais was founded in 1925. At the time the bred was fully recovered.
By 1982, breeders founded a new Braque du Bourbonnais club, while the other major clubs recognized the breed later on:
- The United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized the breed in 2006
- The American Kennel Club (AKC) placed the breed into their Foundation Stock Service in 2011, which is the first step before full recognition
Braque du Bourbonnais Physical Appearance
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a dog of medium size. They are easy to recognize thanks to their interesting coat and markings.
As for the size, they usually weigh between 35 to 55 pounds and stand between 18 to 23 inches at the shoulder. That being said, they can be smaller or larger.
This short-haired breed has a compact and muscular body. The head is of the ‘pear’ shape, while the skull is round, with a broad nose, strong muzzle, and lips that are not too thick.
Eyes are large enabling that famous look of puppy eyes. Overall, their look is very expressive.
Some representatives of this breed may be born without a tail, while some may have a docked tail.
Seen as a whole this breed is very muscular with balanced movement. The coat is fine, short, and dense.
In some cases, the coat may be longer on the back.
Braque du Bourbonnais Personality
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a high-energy dog that was bred to hunt next to humans.
This purpose means that daily exercise and strong affecting are mandatory to keep Braque happy.
As a highly sporting dog, this breed needs a long outdoor time, and they will always choose outdoor time over indoor games and time. They are intelligent and tend to get along with everyone, including people and other animals.
After all, they were bred to hunt, and being active next to people and horses and other dogs feels natural to them.
Braques will be friendly toward everyone that they meet. However, they should be on a leash whenever they are on walks because they have a strong prey drive.
All in all, these dogs should be very quiet and gentle. When it comes to their time with children, you should be careful because they are energetic and larger in size, which means that accidents may easily happen.
As such, they might be better suited for older children who know how to interact safely with dogs.
As for the other pets, they will get along with other animals as long as they are introduced slowly and in a safe environment.
As hunting dogs, they will try to chase anything smaller – their hunting instincts are just too strong. However, it all comes down to proper training and early socialization.
Braque du Bourbonnais Training
Training should start the first day you bring your Braque du Bourbonnais home.
Make sure that you have enough training toys on hand, as well as proper treats. Dogs thrive on positive reinforcement methods. Always reward good behavior.
Did you know what puppies are capable of mastering basic commands as of eight weeks of age? This period is also known as the socialization window.
During this period dogs should master basic commands and house dog rules. They should be familiar with visitors and kept away from other dogs until their vaccination period is completed.
Once your veterinarian gives you a green light, you can expose your Fido to other dogs.
Put extra attention on potty training and make sure that he knows how to behave in the dog parks.
The Braque du Bourbonnais is an extremely soft and gentle breed, and as such he will need gentle handling.
No dog should ever experience any harsh training methods, including Braque du Bourbonnais.
If you feel like you need extra help with training, think about puppy classes. This is a great way to speed up the training process and make a stronger bond with your dog.
If you notice your Braque seeking eye contact at all times, know that this is a normal occurrence for this breed.
They have the ability to sense the mood of the handler, so make sure that you do your best to bring in a positive mood for training.
To keep this breed happy and active, you should provide training sessions that are fun, short, consistent, and packed with treats. However, don’t overdo with treats, because every dog can easily get a pound or two if treats are given easily.
Braque du Bourbonnais Exercise
To keep Braque du Bourbonnais happy you will have to provide enough exercise. They are better suited for more rural areas, where they have more space to run and spend outdoors.
Still, you can see them in city areas, usually with owners that lead an active outdoor life.
Braque du Bourbonnais needs a large backyard that is well-fenced, or more intense and longer walks.
Some activities will be more than suitable for your Braque such as swimming, hiking, or simply learning new tricks every day.
Whatever helps your Fido to burn that extra energy is more than a great choice.
You can also think about dog sports, such as agility, obedience, and rally. As expected, provide regular walks and proper training.
All in all, to keep him mentally and physically stimulated provide a minimum of 45-minutes of exercise per day.
Braque du Bourbonnais Grooming
Grooming is a serious process that keeps dogs in shape and health. Being a dog owner goes beyond regular walks and cuddling sessions.
Moreover, being a dog owner is a lot about bruising, trimming, and cleaning.
The Braque du Bourbonnais has a dense and short coat that should be groomed with the right grooming tools.
If you are not sure what type of brush to use, talk to your veterinarian or a professional groomer.
You can always hire a professional groomer to groom your dog but bear in mind that grooming – especially brushing, can be a wonderful bonding experience for you and your dog.
Brush him at least once a week, and expect more intense shedding during the shedding session in spring and autumn.
The rest is simple care:
- Trim or grind nails when needed
- Bathe only when needed
- Check gums and eyes weekly
- Check and clean ears when needed
If your veterinarian recommends it, brush his teeth.
Make sure that you use a toothbrush that is specially designed for dogs. Also, when it comes to bathing, use only dog-friendly shampoo.
Since they have a short coat, they aren’t the best choice for areas with extreme weather. Make sure that you carefully plan your outdoor time when it’s too cold or even too hot.
Braque du Bourbonnais Health
Braque du Bourbonnais is often described as a healthy breed.
Working with responsible breeders will minimize the chances of getting a dog with some kind of health issue.
A responsible breeder will always present you with medical documentation of the breed and inform you of any possible future health issues.
Of course, during the dog’s lifetime, certain conditions may appear. This doesn’t mean that your dog will necessarily experience them.
It just means that you should be well-aware of certain conditions and prevent them from appearing by providing regular veterinarian check-ups.
Is Braque du Bourbonnais For You?
If you are a first time dog owner, this breed isn’t for you.
If you are an experienced dog owner, who knows how to deal with a more energetic breed, and you can afford to own a dog, then this breed might be for you.
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