Braque Du Bourbonnais

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a generally healthy breed that lives 12 to 15 years. Hip dysplasia and certain eye conditions occur. Entropion, where the eyelid rolls inward, has been noted in the breed. Otherwise this is a sturdy, resilient pointing dog. Source from responsible breeders who health-test and schedule annual vet visits.

The short, dense coat is easy to maintain with a weekly brush. Ears need weekly checks since the floppy shape traps moisture and can lead to infection. Bathe only when genuinely dirty. Trim nails every three to four weeks. Brush teeth regularly. This breed has minimal grooming needs overall.

Your Braque du Bourbonnais needs at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. Field work, hunting, and scent games match this breed perfectly. They have strong endurance built for long days in the field. Without regular physical and mental stimulation, they become restless. This is a working gun dog and needs to be kept active.

The Braque du Bourbonnais is intelligent, gentle, and generally easy to train. Positive reinforcement works very well. They are sensitive dogs and respond poorly to harsh methods. Start socialization and field training early. They point instinctively and take to hunting work naturally with minimal pressure.

Feed a quality medium-breed, protein-rich diet twice daily. Active hunting dogs need more calories during the hunting season. Adjust portions based on your dogs actual activity level and monitor body condition. Fresh water is especially important after field work in warm weather.

The Braque du Bourbonnais is one of Frances oldest pointing breeds, with documentation going back to the 15th century. Hunters in the Bourbonnais region developed this compact, versatile pointer for hunting partridge and quail. The breed nearly went extinct after World War II as hunting practices changed and the population dwindled. French breeders revived the breed in the 1970s starting from just a handful of dogs. Today it is growing in popularity among hunters who appreciate its calm temperament and natural pointing ability.