Braque du Bourbonnais

This breed almost went extinct during the World Wars but was revived in the 1970s.

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a medium-sized working dog breed developed in the French Province of Bourbonnais as far back as 1598. The breed almost went extinct during World War I and II but was revived in the 1970s. It has been a popular breed in the United States since arriving there in 1988. They were developed as gun dogs to flush out and retrieve game for hunters. The breed continues to have a strong prey instinct and will eagerly search out game. They also make excellent watchdogs, with a sharp sense of hearing and strong vocal cords.

See all of our expert product reviews.

As a pet the Braque du Bourbonnais is loving and loyal, bonds deeply with his family and will want to go with them everywhere. If left alone, he will suffer from severe separation anxiety and will show his displeasure by barking, howling, and destroying everything in sight. Nevertheless, this is considered overall a good-natured, calm and kind dog that does well in a family with children and with other pets.

The 2 Different Types of Braque du Bourbonnais Mixes

Here are two known hybrids of the Braque du Bourbonnais:

• Bluetick Coonhound + Braque du Bourbonnais mix
• German Shepherd + Braque du Bourbonnais mix

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Braque du Bourbonnais

The Best Dog Food for a Braque du Bourbonnaiss

An active working dog such as the Braque du Bourbonnaiss needs a dogfood with a good source of high-quality protein. While it may be tempting to save money by buying cheaper brands, these are often made with low-quality meat scraps, cheap fillers, and artificial ingredients. You may not notice any harm to your animal at first, but over time this poor diet can lead to a lot of health problems that will be distressing to you and your animal, not to mention expensive.

Health and Entertainment for your Braque du Bourbonnais

See all of our expert product reviews.

One of the dog foods we are partial to at A-Z Animals is Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food. It’s made from real chicken as its first ingredient, not cheap poultry byproducts. Healthy grains, vegetables, and fruit provide your dog with the essential vitamins and nutrients he or she needs for a healthy coat, strong immune system, and well-developed musculature. It comes in different formulas specifically designed for your dog’s nutritional needs at different life stages, from puppy, to adulthood, to a senior dog.

In addition to choosing a great dog food, remember to follow veterinary guidelines for the amount and frequency of feeding. Obesity is a great problem for many breeds, often because owners feel sorry for their pets and want to give them a “snack” every time a family member snacks. It’s possible to add a small amount of lean meat scraps or broth to dry dog food as a special treat, but otherwise, avoid the unhealthy habit of sharing people food with your pet. Incidentally, if you are consistent in this, it will cut down on annoying begging behaviors.

Best Overall

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dry Dog Food

• Essential, high-quality protein for healthy muscle development, and carbs for energy for an active life.
• Calcium, phosphorus and essential vitamins for strong bones and teeth.
• Glucosamine is added for joint health and mobility support.
• Vitamins, chelated minerals and antioxidants contribute to your pup's immune system health.
• No corn, wheat, soy or chicken (or poultry) by-product meals.

Check Chewy Check Amazon

Braque du Bourbonnais Size and Weight

On average, males of this breed grow 20-23 inches tall and weigh 40-55 pounds. Females may reach 19-22 inches tall and 35-49 pounds. They are considered medium-sized dogs.

Braque du Bourbonnais Common Health Issues

The Braque du Bourbonnais is generally a healthy breed but, like all dogs, they can be prone to certain health conditions. Some common health issues that may affect Braque du Bourbonnais include hip dysplasia, ear infections, and eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. It is important for owners of this breed to work with a veterinarian to identify and manage any health conditions that may develop, and to provide regular health check-ups and preventive care to help ensure their dog stays healthy and happy.

Here is a list of the common issues you need to keep an eye on, with your vet:

• Hip dysplasia
• Ear infections
• Eye diseases

Braque du Bourbonnais Temperament and Behavior

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a friendly, intelligent, and active breed of gun dog. They are eager to please and are highly trainable, making them a popular choice for hunting and other outdoor activities. They are also known for their calm, even-tempered nature, which makes them well-suited to life as a family pet. Braque du Bourbonnais are generally good with children and other dogs, and they are very loyal and affectionate with their owners. They do require regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy, so they may not be the best fit for sedentary families or those with limited time to devote to dog care.

How To Take Care of a Braque du Bourbonnaiss

Braque du Bourbonnais Maintenance and Grooming

The Braque du Bourbonnais has a has a short, low-maintenance coat, but they shed moderately and are not hypoallergenic. Regular brushing (at least weekly) with a natural bristle brush is recommended to control loose hair and make your housekeeping easier. Frequent bathing is unnecessary, but your dog might need a bath if he rolls in something that he thinks smells good . . . but you don’t.

All dogs should have their nails clipped regularly before they grow too long. Otherwise they can chip, get snagged on things and torn out, or scratch your furniture or your family’s skin during play. If you ever notice a clicking sound when your dog walks on a tile surface, that’s a good indication their nails are too long. It’s also vital to brush your dog’s teeth. Some people resist the idea of this because to them it seems like a way of over-pampering a pet. It’s actually an important health concern. Infected teeth cause dogs a great deal of pain, are a gateway for disease, and can be life-threatening. Regular brushing also improves your dog’s breath and makes him a more pleasant pet to be around.

Braque du Bourbonnais Training

This breed takes to training very well. They do best with a loving, gentle approach that focuses on positive reinforcement with rewards such as praise, scratches, a favorite toy, or a treat. Maintaining eye contact with them during training is helpful. These are quite empathetic and perceptive dogs, and they will be able to sense the mood of the trainer by watching his or her face.

Braque du Bourbonnais Exercise

A Braque du Bourbonnais needs a moderate amount of exercise — at least an hour a day — including running, long walks, or energetic play in a fenced yard or dog park. They are a high-energy breed that does best with an active, athletic family. Some games you can play with them include field and agility trials, obedience training, retrieving, tracking, and hunting. These give your dog a chance to use his natural instincts and keep his mind and body active.

This breed can adapt to all sorts of living situations, as long as it can be with you and not be left alone for long periods of time. Nevertheless, in view of their energy and tendency to chew and bark, they are not the best choice for apartment life. A spacious home with a large fenced yard would be ideal for them.

Braque du Bourbonnais and Children

The Braque du Bourbonnais is reputed to be a very kid-friendly breed. They enjoy playing and have a great deal of energy. Sometimes their play can get out of hand, so it is important to supervise them carefully until they are trained to know and observe their limits reliably. Of course, during socialization children also must be trained to interact appropriately with the dog, not pulling, hitting, pinching, or throwing things at their pet in anger or in play.

This breed does have a strong prey instinct and this can be difficult to train out of them. It is best not to have this dog in a house with smaller pets such as birds, rodents, or reptiles as they will have an overpowering urge to hunt them. With other dogs and cats, a careful training and socialization process should enable them to get along reasonably well.

Dogs Similar to the Braque du Bourbonnais

• Weimaraner – This breed is very similar to the Braque du Bourbonnais in temperament, size, affection level, and energy level. It sheds more, however.
• Vizsla – Vizslas are quite similar to the Braque du Bourbonnais but are even better with other dogs, kids, and strangers. Vizslas have more of a tendency to bark, howl, and wander from home.
• Pointer – Pointers are a bit larger, easier to train, and more intelligent than the Braque du Bourbonnais. They have a stronger prey drive and tendency to wander.

Popular Names for a Braque du Bourbonnais

You may want to consider one of these French names for a male Braque Du Bourbonnais:

• Leo
• Brice
• Hugo
• Jules
• Luc

Here are some French name suggestions for a female Braque Du Bourbonnais:

• Chloe
• Zoe
• Aimee
• Chanel
• Colette

Related Animals

• Wolf
• Coyote
• Jackal

1. Petful.com, Available here: https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/braque-du-bourbonnais/
2. Wag!, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/breed/braque-du-bourbonnais
3. Dogell.com, Available here: https://dogell.com/en/dog-breed/braque-du-bourbonnais
4. Wisdompanel.com, Available here: https://www.wisdompanel.com/en-us/dog-breeds/braque-du-bourbonnais
5. Hundeo.com, Available here: https://www.hundeo.com/en/dog-breeds/braque-du-bourbonnais/