Gun dog Medium size 16-25 kg

Bourbonnais Pointer

A versatile French pointer that is affectionate and easy to train - a solid choice for active owners who can supply the daily fieldwork it needs.

Compare
Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
16-25 kg, 48-57 cm tall
High
Activity
Sporting dog; needs long daily exercise
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Bonds closely but copes with routine
High
Trainability
Eager to please and quick to learn
Very low
Coat care
Short coat; minimal upkeep
Good
Fit with kids
Gentle and playful with children
Good
Other pets
Generally sociable with other pets
Light
Health burden
Generally healthy; ear care needed

The Bourbonnais Pointer typically weighs 16-25 kg, stands 48-57 cm, and lives 12-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you hunt upland birds or can offer equivalent daily fieldwork,
you want a calm-in-the-house, cooperative pointing dog,
a healthy, unexaggerated medium breed appeals to you,
you are patient enough to wait for a rare-breed litter.

Do not consider this breed if…

an hour-plus of hard daily exercise is not sustainable for you,
you live in an apartment without serious outdoor routines,
you want a dog available from local breeders this year,
the dog would spend most days alone.

A typical day with a Bourbonnais Pointer

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long run or free quartering in a field
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Settles quietly indoors, close by
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Walk plus a few retrieving reps
  4. 16:30 · Afternoon
    Training session - it genuinely enjoys the work
  5. 19:00 · Evening
    Affectionate family time on the sofa
  6. 22:00 · Night
    Calm sleeper after a worked day

Temperament and training

Trainability High
Attachment to people High
Energy High
Gentleness High
Prey drive Moderate
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Buying a working pointer for its looks and skipping the fieldwork · Training with pressure - this soft breed works for praise · Neglecting ear checks under the drop ears after wet fieldwork

Family and environment

Kids Good
Gentle, playful and tolerant with children.
Dogs Good
Sociable with other dogs at home and afield.
Cats Conditional
Fine indoors when raised together; birds are another story.
Apartment Conditional
Calm inside, but only with daily field-level outings.
House with a yard Suitable
Yard plus real exercise beyond it is the formula.
City Manages
Possible for runners with green space nearby.
Countryside Ideal
Fields to quarter and birds to point - its purpose.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock
Chronic Ear Infections Drop ears trap moisture; check regularly
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Inherited eye condition
Dental Disease Routine dental care needed

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

The widely available high-drive alternative
German Short Haired Pointer
A versatile, athletic gundog that shines with a very active owner, but it needs serious daily exercise and company or it grows restless and destructive.
View profile →
Neighboring French braque with similar close work
Auvergne Short Haired Pointer
A calm-natured but athletic French pointer, affectionate and biddable, that thrives with an active hunting or sporting owner.
View profile →
Compact French bird dog with more spark
Brittany Spaniel
A bright, tireless bird dog and affectionate family companion for active homes - its high energy quickly overwhelms sedentary owners.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Bourbonnais Pointer cost?
The Braque du Bourbonnais is rare - a small number of breeders exist in the US and France, so expect $1,200-$2,500 for a puppy, a waitlist, and possibly import logistics. Lifetime costs are moderate: roughly $13,000-$18,000 over 12-14 years for food and routine care, helped by the breed's generally sound health and wash-and-wear coat.
Is the Bourbonnais Pointer born without a tail?
Many are - a naturally short or absent tail is a historic hallmark of the breed, and its finely ticked 'faded lilac' or 'peach blossom' coat is another. Tail length varies from natural bobtails to full tails depending on the line; it is cosmetic and has no bearing on health or working ability.
How is it different from a German Shorthaired Pointer?
Size and throttle. The Bourbonnais is a bit smaller, works closer to the gun, and tends to be calmer and softer-tempered in the house, while a GSP typically brings more range, more drive and more daily intensity. For a hunter who wants a cooperative, moderate-paced pointer that doubles as an easy housemate, the Bourbonnais is the gentler pick.
Can it be a family pet without hunting?
Yes, with an honest substitute: daily running, hiking, canicross or field-style training that adds up to an hour or more of real work. It is affectionate and quiet indoors when exercised, but this is still a pointing dog with an engine - a walk around the block will not keep the peace.