The Braque du Bourbonnais is a very old French dog that accompanied our ancestors already during the Renaissance. Although nearly extinct, this breed has managed to make a comeback in recent years and the breed standard has been set and its appearance and performance improved to become the dog as we know it. today.
This dog is characterized by its strength and robustness, balance and good nature. He enjoys spending time with his guardians and is a very affectionate and loyal dog with his human family.As for his needs to be happy, he needs the same things as other medium-sized dog breeds, but you still have to be super careful about keeping his ears clean, grooming his coat, and his big needs. to exercise. If you want to know more about the characteristics of the Braque de Bourbonnais, as well as its origin, its care and its possible he alth problems, continue reading this PlanèteAnimal file dedicated to it!
Happy reading!
Origin
- Europe
- France
FCI Nomenclature
- Group VII
Physical Characteristics
- Muscular
- Proportional
- Short ears
Size
- Average
Height
- 45-55
Adult Weight
- 10-25
Life expectancy
- 10-12
Recommended physical activity
- Average
Character
- Balanced
- Society
- Smart
- Affectionate
- Docile
Ideal for
- House
- Walking
- Sports
Recommendations
- Harness
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Short
- End
Origin of the Braque du Bourbonnais
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a French hunting dog and one of the oldest breeds in the region. The breed was discovered by an Italian named Aldovrandi, who devoted himself to breeding and improving it until it became one of the most popular dog breeds in Europe during the Renaissance. . Later, during the wars of the 20th century and the French Revolution, the Braque du Bourbonnais almost disappeared. However, in recent years he has managed to make a comeback and today, in the 21st century, he is considered a great hunting dog that is praised for his physical characteristics and his incredible personality.
The breed's first standard was published in the first Bulletin of the Club du Braque du Bourbonnais in 1930 and since the 1970s breeders have been dedicated to improving the breed's conformation and its hunting performance.In 1982, the second Club du braque du Bourbonnais was created by Michel Comte and was officially recognized in 1985 by the Société Centrale Canine (SCC), which is considered the French branch of the FCI. Finally, the new breed standard was recognized by the FCI and the SCC in 1991, translated and published on the FCI website in 1998.
Characteristics of the Braque du Bourbonnais
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a medium-sized, well-proportioned dog. Its height at the withers is 48-57 cm and its average weight varies between 16 and 22 kg. The Bourbon's body is compact, strong, sturdy, and muscular, giving it a powerful, elegant, and slender appearance. The females are less compact but more elegant. Some specimens may be born with or without a tail. The tail is of low insertion, quite long and rather thin. Unfortunately, in many countries it is still common to cut it, but we must remember that it is a cruel and totally unnecessary act.We tell you about it in this article: "Why is it bad to cut the tail and ears of dogs?
The head of this breed is pear-shaped as it is rounded in all directions, with well-developed zygomatic and parietal arches. The nose is rather large and pigmented, the color of which may vary depending on the coat. Its eyes are large, round and dark amber or hazel in color. His ears are medium sized and droopy, set close to the eye line.
Colors of the Braque du Bourbonnais
The coat of these dogs is fine, dense and short. It is thinner on the ears and head than on the rest of the body, while on the back it is generally longer. Regarding the color, it has well-distributed white spots throughout the coat. The breed standard accepts a mixture of white and color, but only when the color is not prevalent.
What does a Braque du Bourbonnais puppy look like?
The braque du Bourbonnais puppy is very curious and active and you will have a hard time stopping him from exploring his environment. For this reason, you must try to play with him frequently so that he can release his energy and thus avoid the appearance of destructive behavior.
Although he is a sociable and affectionate dog, it is important that during the first weeks of his life he is in contact with different types of situations, animals and people, in order to promote a good socialization.
Character of the Braque du Bourbonnais
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a dog with an exceptional character, which easily adapts to any type of situation and any type of home. It is a breed of great intelligence and great curiosity that loves the outdoors and physical activity.
On the other hand, this type of Braque is characterized by being very cuddly with his family, gentle and affectionate.His hunting instinct is very developed and this is explained by his origins and his development. It is an aspect on which it is necessary to work so that it can coexist with other animals. He is also a very faithful and loyal dog to his guardian, whom he will not hesitate to defend in the face of any type of adversity.
Caring for a Braque du Bourbonnais
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a dog that does not require a lot of special care. However, he needs guardians who are involved in getting them to play sports every day. He is a dog that likes long walks or hiking trails and loves to play with balls or do agility exercises. Due to its origin, we emphasize, this dog needs physical activity every day, so 20-minute walks or house games won't be enough. To properly care for this dog, follow these tips:
Hygiene
Continuing with the care of the Braque du Bourbonnais, we find those related to its coat. As it is short and fine, a good weekly brushing to keep it clean will be sufficient. As for brushing, we recommend the use of brushes that allow the removal of dead hair and the accumulation of dust or dirt, suitable for the short coat of these dogs. Among the different types of brushes available, brushes with rubber bristles are generally the most recommended because they do not damage the skin.
Their ears, due to their low anatomy and in order to avoid the accumulation of earwax, require frequent cleaning. Dental hygiene is also essential to prevent oral diseases such as cavities, tartar and periodontal disease. To do this, you can use special toothbrushes and toothpaste for dogs, and in addition, dental snacks. Find out how to clean a dog's teeth in this other article.
Food
The Braque du Bourbonnais' caloric needs will depend on the level of activity it is used to. The dog is a facultative omnivore, which means that the main component of its diet should be animal protein, followed by fats, grains and vegetables. You must therefore choose complete and quality kibble that includes all the components it needs. Whether you choose kibble, prepare homemade meals or opt for a mixed diet will depend on your knowledge and your needs, but, in any case, we recommend that you seek advice from a veterinarian specialized in canine nutrition. .
Training and education of the Braque du Bourbonnais
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a very easy breed to educate thanks to its great intelligence, its active behavior and its predisposition to new activities. It is therefore not a particularly stubborn or difficult dog, quite the contrary.For this, the most advisable is always education through positive reinforcement, which consists of rewarding appropriate behavior with treats or caresses, without punishing or instilling fear or fear.
" Despite learning very quickly, it is very important to emphasize the role of socialization in Braque du Bourbonnais puppies. As we mentioned in the previous sections, it is a breed with a strong hunting instinct, which is why it can have difficulty cohabiting with other smaller animals. This is why it is essential, on the one hand, to respect the natural weaning process before adopting the puppy and, on the other hand, to allow him to interact with different environments, sounds, people and animals. This point is covered in this article: How to socialize a puppy. If you&39;re adopting an adult Braque du Bourbonnais who hasn&39;t been socialized, it&39;s not too late to do so, check out this other article and get to work: How to Socialize an Adult Dog."
He alth of the Braque du Bourbonnais
The Braque du Bourbonnais breed is characterized by good he alth and no particular genetic disease. They are sturdy and strong dogs with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
In very active Braques du Bourbonnais, bone problems such as hip dysplasia, in which there is an incongruence between the hip bones, can occur. Because of their ears, they are also predisposed to developing ear infections and they may have a higher prevalence of skin diseases such as:
- Vitiligo, in which symmetrical white spots appear on their body.
- Epidermolysis bullosa, characterized by the development of vesicular lesions or ulcers on the oral mucosa, back, nose, genitals, abdomen or legs.
- Parasitism by Demodex, a mite that normally inhabits the skin of dogs, but which, if excessively proliferates, can produce clinical signs such as alopecia, comedones, papules, pustules and follicular cylinders.
In order to detect a possible disease in time, it is essential to carry out appropriate preventive medicine, by going to the regular checks prescribed by the veterinarian. It is also advisable to follow the vaccination and deworming schedule recommended by the specialist.
How to adopt a Braque du Bourbonnais?
You can adopt a braque du Bourbonnais in animal shelters, shelters and associations. Unfortunately, as he is a hunting dog, he is often abandoned once the season is over. To adopt one, we recommend that you approach your nearest SPA and see if they have a specimen for adoption.
Pictures of Braque du Bourbonnais
