Braque du Bourbonnais
Overview
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a medium dog from the Working group — a high-drive, athletic dog that needs a lot of vigorous exercise. In temperament it's intensely devoted and bonded to its family, trainable and quick to pick up on what's asked and it would rather not be left alone for long. With a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years., the Braque du Bourbonnais is a long commitment.
Is the Braque du Bourbonnais right for you?
A good match if — you have children at home; you're active and want a dog to move with; you want a closely bonded companion; you enjoy training and want a responsive dog; you want a sociable dog that greets everyone.
Think twice if — you can't commit to vigorous daily exercise; you don't have much space; the dog would regularly be left alone for long stretches.
What a Braque du Bourbonnais needs from you
Day to day, the Braque du Bourbonnais needs a major daily time commitment from you and intense daily exercise and a job to do. It does best with a moderate amount of space and some real dog experience. It's a social breed that doesn't like being isolated for long.
Living with a Braque du Bourbonnais
At home, the Braque du Bourbonnais needs room and doesn't suit apartment life. It's good with children, friendly with most new people, an average barker, and a tidy, low-drool breed.
Key facts
- Size
- Medium
- Height
- 18 to 23 inches.
- Weight
- 35 to 55 pounds.
- Life span
- 12 to 15 years.
- Group
- Working Dogs
What it needs from you (at a glance)
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| Maintenance | no data yet |
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Health & what to watch for
The start matters most: get a Braque du Bourbonnais from someone who health-tests their lines — ask to see the results — or from a reputable rescue, and register with a vet early. Ask the breeder which screenings they run for the breed, and keep it lean and well-exercised. Across every breed the single biggest lever you control is weight — a lean dog lives longer and has fewer problems. Food intolerances usually show as itchy skin, recurring ear trouble or an upset stomach; if that turns up, a vet-guided elimination diet beats guesswork. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice — your vet knows your individual dog.
Best toys
Good toys for a Braque du Bourbonnais: toys that burn real energy — a ball launcher, a flirt pole, fetch and tug; tough, durable chews built for strong jaws — avoid flimsy toys it can shred and swallow. Rotate a few at a time rather than leaving everything out — novelty is half the value — and always supervise a new chew.
Growing up
The first months are the socialization window: calm, positive exposure to new people, sounds, surfaces and other animals now shapes the adult dog more than almost anything else. Channel the energy early with structured outlets and basic training, or a bored youngster will invent its own jobs.
What it costs
Scaled to this breed’s roughly 20 kg and a ~14-year life, keeping a Braque du Bourbonnais works out at about:
Rough cross-breed averages in USD — a planning guide, not a quote. Break it down by life phase in the Cost Calculator →
Temperament (at a glance)
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| Tolerates alone |
Its presence, grown
Raised with patience and consistency, the adult Braque du Bourbonnais settles into a powerful, restless presence that fills any space. It devotes itself utterly to its family — your shadow, your second self. It warms to most new people readily.
As your partner
Picture it as a grown partner at your side: early mornings, serious exercise and a tireless partner for everything you do outdoors. It would rather not be left alone for long.
What makes it unique
What sets the Braque du Bourbonnais apart is a guardian's seriousness and a job-minded focus that wants a purpose. It is built to go all day, and needs that outlet to be its best self.