The elegant Braque du Bourbonnais is a rare pointer breed of gundog that makes for a great, loving companion. With so many great choices of puppy to choose from, however, why should you choose a Braque du Bourbonnais puppy? There are many great reasons, but perhaps the most noteworthy is that they’re amongst the most well-rounded puppies for first-time owners and current dog owners alike.
Why Braque du Bourbonnais Puppies are Great
Some highlights of the Braque du Bourbonnais:
Adaptable: this breed can be trained easily and is versatile enough to be raised in most environments and climates.
Companionship: the Braque du Bourbonnais is amongst the best breeds for forming a lasting companionship with its owner and is also an excellent family pet.
Grooming: when compared to many other breeds, the Braque du Bourbonnais requires little to no trimming or stripping and sheds very little.
Hunter: as a breed with excellent hunting capabilities, the Braque du Bourbonnais has a reputation for being a dependable and reputable hunting dog.
Things to Consider when Looking at Braque du Bourbonnais Puppies for Sale
Some downsides to the Braque du Bourbonnais:
Exercise: this breed requires regular daily exercise and doesn’t like being idle.
Apartments: as a medium-sized puppy, the Braque du Bourbonnais isn’t the best choice for apartment living and is happier in a home, preferably with a sizeable yard.
Health problems: this breed is susceptible to health problems such as eye problems and hip dysplasia.
History of the Braque du Bourbonnais
The original breed of Bourbonnais Pointing Dog dates back to the late Medieval period in France, where it was well-known for its superb ability to hunt and point game such as pheasant, rabbit, and partridge.Its name derives from the French verb ‘braquer’ (to point), hence its English translation as a pointing dog. Bourbonnais refers of course to its provenance, the Province of Bourbon in France.Although the breed was held in high repute for its ability to hunt and point, it was never bred in abundance due to strict breeding requirements during the 16th century which nearly brought the breed to extinction. Dog breeders historically only bred the Braque du Bourbonnais to have no tail or a short tail. They were also inflexible to breeding dogs that did not have a ‘faded lilac’ colour, thus resulting in a steady decline of the breed’s population over the centuries.Fortunately, the Braque du Bourbonnais saw a resurgence in numbers since the 1970s after an all-time low by the end of the First World War. It continues to be bred today in ever increasing numbers due to its excellent characteristics.
Appearance
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a medium-sized dog that’s muscular, robust, and elegant in appearance. This breed typically has a small, docked tail or no tail at all, a rounded head, medium-length ears that hang down to the cheek or to throat-level. Its hair is naturally short and dense, although the hair around the head and ears tends to be shorter than elsewhere.
How big is the Braque du Bourbonnais?
Braque du Bourbonnais are medium-sized dogs. Males grow on average to 50-58 cm in height, whilst females can grow up to 47-56 cm high.
How heavy is a Braque du Bourbonnais?
Fully-grown adult male Braque du Bourbonnais weigh between 18-25 kg on average, whilst females weigh between 16-22.5 kg.
What colour is the Braque du Bourbonnais?
This breed is available in two colours: liver and fawn. Their markings tend to be white, which may be either in spots or mixing with their natural fur colour to produce a roan-coloured effect. Coloured patches are normal but should not be too numerous.
Temperament
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a well-rounded dog both for hunting as well as at home with family. He is well-behaved as a puppy that will grow into a loving companion, but he will need plenty of mental and physical stimulation to remain happy. A lack of regular exercise may lead to boredom, which may result in destructive behaviour. As a puppy, be sure to give your Braque du Bourbonnais space to roam and play and they’ll be less prone to naughty behaviour.For the above reasons, the Braque du Bourbonnais makes an excellent puppy for those willing to be a loyal companion (they’ll return the favour in kind), but should be avoided for those looking for a puppy that will become independent and tolerant of isolation. This breed is more social than most, so be sure to give it the love and attention it requires.
Do Braque du Bourbonnais make good guard dogs?
This breed can be trained to be a watchdog, but due to its calm and sociable disposition, it’s a relatively useless guard dog. Do not purchase a Braque du Bourbonnais puppy if you intend to keep a guard dog for your premises.
Do Braque du Bourbonnais bark a lot?
When compared to other dog breeds, Braque du Bourbonnais puppies bark an average amount, i.e. on occasion. They will bark when excited and sometimes whilst playing, but they seldom bark for other reasons.
Are Braque du Bourbonnais easy to train?
The Braque du Bourbonnais is amongst the easiest puppies to train. They are obedient and loyal to their owners and will benefit most from positive reinforcement whilst learning tricks or proper behaviour.
Are Braque du Bourbonnais playful?
This breed is not the most playful, but puppies certainly do enjoy playing from time to time.
Are Braque du Bourbonnais good with children?
Due to their calm and obedient nature, Braque du Bourbonnais puppies are an excellent choice if you’ve got children around the house. They are not prone to biting or aggressive behaviour.
Are Braque du Bourbonnais good with other pets?
Since the Braque du Bourbonnais was originally bred to hunt and point game, it’s prone to chasing other pets. They may get along well with other dogs, but they don’t typically get along well with cats or other small animals.
Can I leave a Braque du Bourbonnais alone?
The Braque du Bourbonnais doesn’t like extended periods of isolation. You should only consider purchasing a puppy if you or a family member can give them the affection they require.
Do Braque du Bourbonnais like water?
Although this breed doesn’t much like boats, they can be taught to swim and may enjoy it quite a bit. Incorporating swimming into his exercise routine can be an effective way of keeping him fit.
Health
How long do Braque du Bourbonnais live?
Generally, Braque du Bourbonnais are expected to live anywhere from 13-15 years.
How much exercise does a Braque du Bourbonnais need?
This breed requires a lot of effort. No less than an hour a day of vigorous exercise per day is recommended, and this is especially important for puppies since they’re even more energetic. As a hunting dog, endeavour to always walk along or behind him and never in front.
What are Braque du Bourbonnais’ common health issues?
Owners should be warned that the Braque du Bourbonnais may be more prone to hip dysplasia and eye problems than other breeds. Ear infections and bloat are also common health problems to this breed.
Care
How much space do I need for a Braque du Bourbonnais?
A Braque du Bourbonnais requires ample space to roam, making it an ideal choice for larger homes or rural areas, where they can roam and play in the fields without feeling constricted. Although they require open spaces for daily exercise, they can relax at home quite well once they’ve become accustomed to roaming outdoors.
What should I feed my Braque du Bourbonnais?
Your Braque du Bourbonnais puppy should be fed a high-quality diet consisting of 3 to 4.5 cups of dry food divided into two meals per day. Naturally, you should adjust the diet according to his activity level and to account for weight gain.
How much grooming do Braque du Bourbonnais need?
This breed requires little grooming, but occasional brushing (twice a week) can go a long way to avoiding infection. Eyes and ears should be checked regularly by professional dog groomers to ensure that infections or health problems aren’t aggravated over time.
Do Braque du Bourbonnais shed?
Braque du Bourbonnais puppies don’t shed too much if they’re brushed occasionally. Some shedding can be expected as they grow older and depends on their specific breed and their current health.
Average Costs
How much does it cost to keep a Braque du Bourbonnais?
As a rough guide in pricing: Cost to buy: roughly £600-1,000 for a well-bred Braque du Bourbonnais puppyOther costs (Vet, Food etc): £50-90 per month
Specific Buying Guide
You can read our general buying guide here, with the most important thing being going to view your Braque du Bourbonnais puppy, seeing it with its mother, and checking the quality of the breeder. More specifically, here is some Braque du Bourbonnais puppy buying advice:
This breed is still quite rare and as such a well-bred puppy may command a higher price. If the price looks too good to be true, it probably is. Ensure your puppy is purchased from a reputable dealer.
The puppy should be permitted to play and roam outdoors regularly to promote a healthy and happy development.
Other Reading, Adopting Braque du Bourbonnais Puppies and Rescue Organisations
