Apartment fit
Apartment life is possible only for owners who can provide meaningful outdoor work. The breed's size is manageable, but its field drive needs an outlet.
SportingMedium
France
FranceBourbonnais Pointing
Weight
35-53 lb
Height
18.9-22.4 in
Lifespan
11-14 yrs
Coat
Short Short
The Bourbonnais Pointing Dog, or Braque du Bourbonnais, is a compact French pointer with chestnut or fawn ticking, gentle temperament, and field drive.
Compact French pointing dogChestnut or fawn tickingGentle at home and active in the fieldBest for owners who can provide outdoor work
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Braque Du Bourbonnais
AffectionateGentleAdaptableIntelligentEagerCalm
Weight
35-53 lb
Height
18.9-22.4 in
Lifespan
11-14 yrs
Coat
Short Short
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Moderate
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Moderate
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
2/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Braque du Bourbonnais is an old French pointing breed from the Bourbonnais region. It is a compact gundog, historically known for a short or naturally bobbed tail in some lines and a distinctive pear-shaped head in the standard.
The coat is short and fine, with chestnut or fawn ticking that gives the breed its characteristic faded-lilac or peach-blossom look. It is a true pointing dog, meant to work with a hunter on foot.
At home, the breed is often gentle, affectionate, and adaptable. It still needs regular field-style exercise, recall work, and training outlets, especially in homes that do not hunt.
Temperament & Personality
AffectionateGentleAdaptableIntelligentEagerCalm
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a affectionate, gentle, adaptable companion, with daily rhythms shaped by moderate energy, moderate barking, and moderate drooling.
Coat type
Short
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Chestnut Ticked, Fawn Ticked
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly3/5
Exercise Needs3/5
Grooming Needs2/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 3/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- active homes interested in pointing breeds
- hunters or owners who enjoy field-style training
- families wanting a gentle but athletic dog
- people with access to safe outdoor exercise
Not ideal for
- sedentary homes
- owners wanting a low-drive companion
- apartments with no outdoor exercise plan
- people away all day without activity
Common challenges
- restlessness without field-style work
- recall around birds and wildlife
- ear care after outdoor activity
- keeping training gentle but consistent
Barking & behavior
The Braque du Bourbonnais is usually gentle, but under-exercise can create restlessness and noise.
Training style
Use gentle reward-based training with practical gundog goals: recall, steadiness, retrieving, handling, and calm settling.
Grooming & shedding
The short coat is easy; ears, nails, and skin checks after field work are the main care tasks.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most healthy adult Braques du Bourbonnais need about 60 to 90 minutes of daily activity, with off-road walks, scent work, retrieving, pointing foundations, or hunting work where appropriate.
Grooming
The short coat is simple to maintain with brushing, nail trimming, ear checks, and skin checks after field work.
Training
Training should be gentle, clear, and reward-based, with recall, steadiness, retrieving, leash manners, and calm house behavior as priorities.
Nutrition
Feed a measured active-sporting-dog diet matched to age, workload, and body condition.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
Moderate
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Moderate
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather4/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Hip dysplasiaEye diseaseObesity
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bourbonnais Pointing a good apartment dog?
It can work for active apartment owners, but only with reliable daily outdoor exercise. The breed is easier where field-style activity is available.
Does the Bourbonnais Pointing bark a lot?
It is not usually a heavy barker, but boredom, under-exercise, or excitement can create noise. A steady outdoor routine helps.
Is the Bourbonnais Pointing good for first-time owners?
A prepared first-time owner can succeed with trainer or breeder support, but should understand that this is still a working pointing breed.
How much exercise does the Bourbonnais Pointing need?
Most healthy adults need about 60 to 90 minutes daily, especially with sniffing, retrieving, field walks, or pointing work included.
Is the Bourbonnais Pointing good with kids and other dogs?
The breed is often gentle and affectionate, but supervision is still needed around children. Dog sociability benefits from early socialization.
Does the Bourbonnais Pointing shed a lot?
The short coat sheds modestly and is easy to brush. Ears and skin need checks after field or wet-weather work.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Bourbonnais Pointing?
The biggest challenge is meeting field-drive needs in a non-hunting home. The dog needs more than a short neighborhood loop.
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