Braque du Bourbonnais
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a uniquely coloured French pointer — its coat comes in two specific colour patterns: faded lilac (a muted liver roan) or peach-blossom (a warm orange roan), both with a characteristic ticked pattern.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
France
Lifespan
10–12 years
Weight
16–27 kg (35–60 lbs)
Height
48–57 cm (19–22 in)
Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality food for an active pointing breed.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a uniquely coloured French pointer — its coat comes in two specific colour patterns: faded lilac (a muted liver roan) or peach-blossom (a warm orange roan), both with a characteristic ticked pattern. The breed is also notable for its natural bobtail — many individuals are born with very short or absent tails. It nearly went extinct and was rebuilt from the 1970s onward by dedicated French breeders. In the USA it has developed a following among upland hunters who value its calm, tractable nature.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A compact, well-muscled pointing dog with the distinctive faded lilac or peach-blossom roan coat — unlike any other breed's colouring. The coat is short and dense. Many individuals have a natural bobtail (short or absent tail). The head is round with a short muzzle.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-6-8-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Gentle, calm, and easy-going — considered one of the most tractable and family-friendly of all pointing breeds. Patient and adaptable.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
3/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
4/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Small-Garden
Daily Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Ideal Weather
0°C to 28°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
30%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
restlessness, mouthing, clinginess
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •1.5–2 hours vigorous exercise daily. Very low grooming. Ear cleaning weekly. Popular with hunters who want a sensitive, trainable dog.
Nutrition Notes
Healthy French pointing breed. Few dietary restrictions.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Hip dysplasia. Ear infections. Born tailless or short-tailed (natural). Gentle pointing breed. 12-14 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
1100 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
800 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hip dysplasia. Aortic stenosis — elevated in the breed. Generally compact healthy frame.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Natural bobtail. India: unavailable.
Purchase Price
$1,200 to $2,500
Adoption Fee
$100 to $400
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Braque du Bourbonnais's natural bobtail — present in many individuals — is caused by a dominant gene. Bobtail × Bobtail matings can produce fatal double-bobtail offspring (similar to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi bobtail gene), so responsible breeders breed bobtail to normal-tailed individuals.
The breed's distinctive coat colours have no equivalent in any other dog breed — the "faded lilac" is a uniquely muted, dusty liver roan that fades to a soft grey-mauve in certain lights, while "peach-blossom" is a warm apricot-orange roan.
