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Braque du Bourbonnais

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a French pointing breed from the Bourbonnais region, documented since the sixteenth century.

It nearly disappeared after the Second World War and was reconstructed from the 1970s. Many are born with a naturally short tail or none at all.

It stands 48 to 57 centimetres, weighs 16 to 25 kilograms and lives eleven to thirteen years, with a short coat in fawn or liver ticking so fine it is described as peach-blossom or faded lilac. It is an affectionate, close-working gundog — it hunts within range of the handler rather than casting wide — and it is notably people-oriented for a continental pointer.

Origin
Bourbonnais region, France; documented since the 16th century
Size
48–57 cm; 16–25 kg
Lifespan
11–13 years
Coat
Short, finely ticked fawn or liver — peach-blossom colouring
Tail
Naturally short or absent in many dogs
Health
Hip dysplasia; generally sound

Related: Braque Francais Pyrenean

2 braque du bourbonnais photos, newest first

  • Sprout II, a braque du bourbonnais

    Sprout II

    Sprout II was promoted to lifeguard supervising a paddling pool for rubber ducks; unfortunately, one toy suitcase circles endlessly.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Sprout II, a braque du bourbonnais

    Sprout II

    Took eleven attempts. Sprout II moved for ten of them.

    SunnyHeron · 2 weeks ago

Living with a braque du bourbonnais

They hunt close and want contact with the handler, which makes them easier to work than wide-ranging pointers and means they dislike being left alone.

They need real exercise — an hour or more — and scent or gundog work. This is a hunting breed and behaves like one.

The short coat needs almost nothing beyond a weekly brush.

The breed was rebuilt from few dogs after nearly dying out, so the gene pool is limited. Ask what a breeder does about diversity, and for hip scores.

They are sensitive and train best with encouragement rather than pressure.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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