

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a robust, gentle Vorstehhund (pointing dog) — bred for the persistent search for upland game, during which it tracks with an excellent nose and points with fascinating intensity.
How the health grade is calculated
Sources for required breeding screenings. Verein für französische Vorstehhunde e.V. (VBBFL)
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Braque du Bourbonnais fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Shoulder height
48–57 cm
Weight
16–25 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Braque du Bourbonnais, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the Braque du Bourbonnais — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
The real vibes check
A Braque du Bourbonnais might sleep curled up on your sofa like a harmless stuffed animal — but as soon as it picks up a scent outside, it freezes into a statue and its entire being turns into an antenna. You aren't getting a simple companion dog, but a highly specialized hunting partner whose passion you cannot switch off, but must channel into shared activities.
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a medium-sized dog with a robust and muscular build. Its appearance is pleasant and harmonious with a balanced conformation. This dog has an expressive head with dark eyes and drooping ears that create a sweet and friendly expression. Its compact, strong body gives it a powerful appearance. The Braque du Bourbonnais belongs to FCI Group 7, the pointing dogs (Vorstehhunde). In this breed, no distinction is made between working and show lines.
Braque du Bourbonnais dogs are known for their even temperament and affectionate nature. They are very people-oriented and love spending time with their family. This makes them great companions both indoors and outdoors. They are not hyperactive, but require regular physical and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. This breed can stay alone well as long as it gets enough exercise and activity. However, it is important to start training your dog to stay alone as early as puppyhood to prevent any separation anxiety. Their affection also means that they always want to be there when something happens in the family. The Braque du Bourbonnais shows strong hunting behavior, which is due to its history as a hunting dog. He has a strong prey drive and therefore cannot walk without a leash in areas where wild animals live. It's important to take this into consideration if you're planning on adding a Braque du Bourbonnais to your home. The breed is alert and will warn the family of strangers, but is not prone to aggression. Their goal is to protect the family rather than actively ward off an intruder. This makes the Braque du Bourbonnais a good guard dog, but not a guard dog in the traditional sense.
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
Did you already know? The Braque du Bourbonnais is one of the oldest French pointer breeds and has been depicted in works of art from the 16th century!
Pronounced Brock-do-bor-bon-NAY, this pointer has a calm, gentle demeanor ideal for the foot hunter. The breed's relatively small size and short coat make it an ideal companion for the hunting family.
The Braque du Bourbonnais can be a good city dog as long as it gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. He is very adaptable and can adapt well to different living conditions. He is good with children and can live with other pets as long as he is properly socialized. However, because these dogs have a strong hunting instinct, living with smaller pets such as cats can be a challenge if clear boundaries are not set from the start.
Lives for its family — the born family companion.
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Usually gets on fine with other dogs.
City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
The Braque du Bourbonnais is an intelligent and willing learner who responds well to positive reinforcement and motivating training methods. They tend not to tolerate intrusive or harsh training well, so a gentle, patient approach is best. Since they are originally hunting dogs, they need a lot of physical and mental stimulation to be happy. They can prove themselves well in various dog sports such as agility, flyball or obedience. However, it is important to be careful not to over-busy them as this can lead to stress and behavioral problems. The Braque du Bourbonnais can tend to be a 'ball junkie'. so playing with balls or other throwing toys should be kept in moderation and used as a reward for good behavior. Since this breed has a strong hunting disposition, it is particularly important to teach them frustration tolerance and impulse control. This can be achieved through various training methods, such as the “stay” command or dragline training.
The Braque du Bourbonnais is an active dog and therefore requires a balanced diet with enough protein and fat to maintain its energy. The exact amount of food your dog needs depends on his age, weight, health and activity level. It's always a good idea to seek advice from a veterinarian or nutritionist to ensure your dog is getting all the necessary nutrients. Grooming the Braque du Bourbonnais is relatively straightforward. They have short, dense fur without an undercoat and are therefore relatively adaptable to the German climate. They shed moderately, so regular brushing is necessary to remove loose hair and keep the coat clean and healthy.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding Hair everywhere, always — no white clothing survives. | Very heavy |
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Solid, watch carefully
Health grade
In the Braque du Bourbonnais, hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), as well as genetically determined brachyury (NBT), are the primary relevant health concerns. A responsible breeder strictly adheres to the requirements of the Verein für französische Vorstehhunde e.V. (VBBFL) and has both parent animals screened for these conditions as well as their dentition prior to mating. Before purchasing, insist on seeing written radiographic evaluations for HD (maximum grade C with restrictions) and ED (grade 0–1). When looking at the genetic test for brachyury (NBT), ensure that carrier dogs are mated exclusively with demonstrably clear partners, and request proof of an unobjectionable teeth and bite evaluation.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
What matters most for this breed
Tap any item to see details.
By ensuring the dog is raised in a way that protects its joints, maintaining a healthy weight, and scheduling regular vet check-ups for its eyes and heart, you lay the foundation for a long, active life.
Responsible breeders mandatory screen parent animals for hip dysplasia (HD), elbow dysplasia (ED), brachyury (NBT), and through dental and bite evaluation in order to prevent severe joint damage.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
Tier 1 reflects the tests Verein für französische Vorstehhunde e.V. (VBBFL) actually mandates. Tiers 2 and 3 show how responsible breeders go beyond.
Club standard. Verein für französische Vorstehhunde e.V. (VBBFL) requires these tests for breeding approval. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
Not health tests, but required for breeding: the club asks for these results too. They don't count toward the risks or the rating.
DNA-Identitätsnachweis
Required by Verein für französische Vorstehhunde e.V. (VBBFL)
Acceptable result: Elternschaftsnachweis durch Genabgleich erbracht
Dental and bite evaluation
Required by Verein für französische Vorstehhunde e.V. (VBBFL)
Acceptable result: normal
No entries in this tier.
No entries in this tier.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
A Braque du Bourbonnais costs around ~€170 per month (€90 – €330, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€4,770 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (13.5 years) it comes to about ~€30,960.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€170 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€170
In the first year
~€4,770
Across the dog's life
~€30,960
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,200 – €2,500
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.
HonestDog Concierge
We currently have no breeders for this breed who have passed our verification. Create your short buyer profile: we'll set up your search alert, review a possible source and email you within 28 days.

Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative imageThe breed originally comes from France, more precisely from the Bourbonnais region, hence the name. The Braque du Bourbonnais is a very old breed that was mentioned as early as the 16th century. The dogs were prized for their excellent hunting skills and friendly nature. However, the 1960s saw a dramatic decline in the breed as breeders focused too much on appearance while neglecting the dogs' hunting abilities. Fortunately, the breed was revived in the 1970s by a group of dedicated breeders who placed renewed emphasis on the dogs' abilities as hunting companions. The FCI officially recognized the Braque du Bourbonnais as a separate breed in 1955.
Bred as a pointer for hunting, the Braque du Bourbonnais is known for its adaptability and keen sense of smell.
France
1500
At home, owners and breed experts describe the Braque du Bourbonnais as a very affectionate, almost clingy companion. Many owners point out that it is surprisingly calm and unobtrusive indoors, bonds closely with its people and likes to be at their side wherever they go. With children and other dogs it is usually very gentle, patient and friendly, which is why it is considered a pleasant family dog, provided its needs are met.
The flip side of this strong bond is being left alone, which has to be built up gently from puppyhood, since these pointers can be prone to separation stress if they get too little attention or too little to do. Owners also often stress that the calm temperament at home only becomes reality if the dog gets enough exercise and mental work outdoors.
On training, owners and trainers describe the Braque du Bourbonnais as a sensitive, soft dog with a strong willingness to work ("will to please"). The breed quickly becomes insecure or withdraws in response to harshness, loud corrections or pressure. Those who work with positive reinforcement, patience and a clear line instead find an eager, cooperative partner.
Owners also point to the challenges of off-leash time: as a pointing breed, it brings a great passion for hunting and a keen nose. Out in the field, it reliably switches into work mode. Early, consistent anti-chase and recall training is essential in daily life, and owners who don't hunt with their dog stress the need for substitute activities such as tracking, dummy training or mantrailing to steer the hunting instinct into orderly channels.
Sources:go4vet.comvbbfl.dezooroyal.de
Health-wise and in day-to-day care, the Braque du Bourbonnais is generally considered a robust, resilient breed. Owners describe the short, dense coat as easy to care for; regular brushing is usually all it takes to remove dirt. Without a dense undercoat, though, it is more sensitive to cold, wet weather and appreciates a warm place to lie after winter activities.
A recurring topic among breed experts and owners is the genetic tendency toward a natural bobtail (brachyury). Breeding reports and owners point out that spinal health needs careful attention when choosing a breeder. Because the breed's worldwide gene pool was rebuilt from a comparatively small base after it nearly died out in the 20th century, owners and breed clubs warn against disreputable backyard breeders and strongly advise checking the parents carefully for inbreeding levels and hereditary diseases.
Sources:paw-champ.comgo4vet.comvbbfl.dezooroyal.decurafyt.com
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
The Braque du Bourbonnais is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Braque du Bourbonnais is 12-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Braque du Bourbonnais grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Braque du Bourbonnais can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Braque du Bourbonnais comes in these colors: Brown and white, Roan.
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Braque du Bourbonnais.