Braque Du Bourbonnais

The Braque du Bourbonnais is pronounced as ‘brock-do-bor-bon-NAY.’ He is a French pooch, who is rare in both France and America. He was born many centuries ago, but he only made his way over to America in 1988. And since then, American breed lovers have worked tirelessly to get him closer to American Kennel Club recognition.

He’s not there yet, but he is proving to be very popular with both hunters and families alike. He is an intense working dog, and only active families should take this guy on. But if you can provide him with his demanding exercise needs, he 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.

Braque du Bourbonnais Puppy – Before You Buy…

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. He is a live wire, and his brain is super intelligent, and with his working dog energy, he needs an outlet.

If you cannot provide him with this, he will become destructive, and he will make you feel guilty about it. But if you can, he’s totally worth it.

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

This guy is very obedient, but he is a Pointer. For those who don’t know what a Pointer is, he is an incredibly driven hunting dog. And once he has caught a scent, he will not listen to you no matter what or how well trained he is. If you let him off-leash, you might not get him 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 he is some people’s idea of the perfect pup. Either way, you need to have a long and hard think about if he is what you want, and if you are what he wants.

Braque du Bourbonnais Price

The price of a Braque du Bourbonnais puppy, from a reputable breeder, will start from $1,500 and more. There are very few Braque du Bourbonnais breeders in America, at least reputable ones anyway. Always do your research on a breeder to make sure that they are experienced, and will breed from healthy dogs and raise puppies in the best environment.

Puppy mills will tempt you with a lower-priced pup, but this comes with a lot of risks. Not only are they likely to breed unhealthy dogs, but the puppies will not receive any medical attention, socialization, or love. So, if you want a happy and healthy dog, please avoid them at all costs.

3 Little-Known Facts About Braque du Bourbonnais

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

This guy 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. He is of French origin and hails from the center of France in Bourbonnais.

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2. The Braque du Bourbonnais only sports two colors.

He 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 him 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.

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3. The Braque du Bourbonnais nearly became extinct.

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

Temperament & Intelligence of the Braque du Bourbonnais

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a sweet dog who is always completely smitten with his family. So, not only does he always love to be around you, but he is also full to the brim with love, kisses, and cuddles. He 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 his family, he is a fun and enjoyable dog to be with. He is always up for a game of some sort, mainly because he has so much energy. But also because he would rather be outside having fun with his family rather than be alone in the house watching.

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

He is also quite a sensitive pup who doesn’t like change. He likes to get up in the morning, have his long walks, and come home to routine cuddles and time with his family. He’ll pick up on stress within the family and doesn’t like being told off.

He is super duper intelligent. He is eager to please and always looking for praise for his master. These traits combined make him a really trainable pup. But as you already know, this is tainted a little by his 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. His family needs to spend most of their time with him and provide the exercise that he needs. He will live happily with a family with kids or a retired couple, just as long as you can supply him with his needs.

He is not suited to apartment life, and ideally, he needs to live in a home with access to his own yard. His high prey drive means that his yard needs to be secured. Otherwise, he’ll 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. He gets on well with other dogs just as long as he is socialized well as a pup. He will also probably get along well with other cats. But no matter how polite he is, he will not be able to live with rodents or other smaller furry creatures. And if he does, he’s probably not a Braque du Bourbonnais.

Things to Know When Owning a Braque du Bourbonnais:

So, now you know about his personality and whether you and he are a match made in heaven (or hell!), here are a few other day to day requirements of his.

Food & Diet Requirements

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

Look to feed him a kibble that is suited to his life stage. For example, if he is a puppy, feed him a puppy kibble, and so on. Each of his life stages requires different nutrients, so it’s essential to make sure that he gets everything he needs. 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.

He 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 he is really intelligent, it’s a good idea to mix up his activities to avoid him becoming bored. And just in case you missed it earlier, you should keep this guy on a leash because of his high prey drive.

Training

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

Expose him to a variety of situations, particularly ones that you know he will experience regularly. This could be walking down a noisy sidewalk, mixing him with other dogs and animals, and unfamiliar humans. This all helps to keep him polite and builds his confidence.

As he is a needy dog who doesn’t like to be left alone, it’s a great idea to crate train him for those times that you need to leave him. By crate training him, not only will you provide him with a safe space that he can call his 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. His coat is short and sleek and requires minimal brushing compared to many other dog breeds. A brush once a week will help to keep his coat look shiny and healthy.

Bathe him once every 8 to 12 weeks or so, but never more than this because you risk damaging his natural coat oils. Some Braque du Bourbonnais suffer from skin conditions, so its wise to invest in a gentle doggy shampoo that uses oatmeal. His 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 he regularly suffers from ear infections, you will probably need to increase this.

Health and Conditions

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

Male 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 him with everything that he needs.

Final Thoughts: Braque du Bourbonnais

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a rare and underrated dog for sure. He is fun, lively, and super sweet with his immediate family, and also polite and friendly with strangers. But for him to be the amazing dog that we have described, you need to be sure that he 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 he will receive plenty of company and exercise, you and your Braque du Bourbonnais will live happily ever after.

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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock, PRESSLAB