BREED STANDARD OF THE BRAQUE DU BOURBONNAIS
(BOURBONNAIS POINTER)
Standard F.C.I. N°179 / 07.08.1998 / F
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE STANDARD : 07.01.1991.
Country of Origin: France (the Province of Bourbonnais)
Use: Pointer characteristics (hunting)
F.C.I. Classification: 7th group with a working test
History in Brief:
In 1858, the Braque du Bourbonnais was already known as a dog “skilled at the hunting
partridge”. (Aldovrandi Natural History, National Library)
The Braque du Bourbonnais was described by the older authors as an agreeable hunting
partner that was strong-looking and very hardy. It was born with a short tail and its coat was
described as a white background completely covered by fine lines of maroon or fawn.
For a long time, the breeders were required to strive for an original coat called “faded lilac”.
It was also necessary that the dog be born with a short tail. There were strict requirements for
what was considered to be secondary prerequisites, especially since the dog was a rare breed.
In other words, emphasis was placed more on the conformation than on the working ability
that the dog was originally supposed to be known for. The result of this was that many
breeders lost interest in the breed and from 1963 to 1973, no breeders subscribed to the I.O.F.
In 1970, under the direction of Michel Comte, a group of breeders formed together with a
common goal – to ensure the survival of the Braque du Bourbonnais. Today, prudent and
efficient selection ensures that this goal has been achieved. With experience, past mistakes
will not happen again.
General Aspects:
A short-tailed pointer of medium builds, well-structured, muscular, giving an overall
impression of strength and power. Even the most powerful specimens show a degree of
elegance. The females are smaller and show more elegance than the males. (A female
should be easily distinguishable from a male).
Important Proportions:
The length of the body is equal to the height from ground to withers or may be a little
longer. The length between the tip of the nose to the face (base of muzzle) is equal to or a
little shorter than length of the skull from back to front.
Temperament:
At home, the Braque du Bourbonnais is mild and affectionate. On the hunt, he hunts
passionately; he is prudent, intelligent, very cooperative, well-balanced, adapts well to all
types of terrain and can be trained to hunt game of all varieties. He has tracking ability if
necessary but he is constantly searching out the source of strange smells. He obeys
commands precise.
Skull Region: The axis of the skull and nose is parallel, or slightly forward. The skull is
rounded on all sides. The parietal bones and zygomatic arches are well developed. The stop
is slightly pronounced.
Facial Region
Nose: Sizeable, in profile it protrudes further out than the lips. It is always the same color as
the coat and the nostrils are always wide open.
Muzzle:
Broad and large at the base, through not as large in the females.
Chamfer:
(Top of Muzzle) Straight or very slightly hooked.
Lips: The upper lip covers the lower lip; the lips are not too thick and they do not turn in
very much in the corners of the mouth.
Jaw: Solid, strong, endowed with a complete set of teeth, the jaw opens in scissors fashion.
Eyes: Big, hazel or dark amber depending on the coat color, always showing alertness; soft
and expressive.
Ears: The ears are attached to the head at eyeline level or a little above. In their natural
position they may hang slightly past the throat area.
Neck: Not too long, well-muscled; the base of the neck begins close to the shoulders; light
dewlap is permissible.
Body:
The top line is horizontally level until the kidney level. Then the top line curves slightly.
Withers are prominently muscled. The hips and rear are short and proportionate to each
other, as well as being large and muscular. The rear is a little longer on the female. The
croup is rounded, slightly oblique and well built. The chest is large, long and high. The
chest can go as high as elbow level. The ribs are pronounced and are well-curved. The
underside curves up slightly beginning at the stomach. The flanks curve slightly outwards
and are flat. The tail is attached to the body a little lower than usual. The tail is either
very short or there is no tail at all (the maximum tail length is 15 cm or 6 inches).
Legs/Limbs:
Forelegs:
As a whole, they are straight, well structured, muscular and well-balanced. The shoulders are
prominent, long and oblique. Firm muscularity is apparent. The forearms are long, parallel to
the vertical median line of the body, solid, well balanced and muscular. The elbows do not sit
too far out from the body nor do they sit too close. The metacarpal bone, if viewed in profile,
is slightly curved and flexible. The feet have small pads; the toes are set tight together and
arched; the toe nails are very hard and strong.
Hindlegs:
Good bone structure and muscle mass is apparent. Viewed from the rear, the specimen is
well-balanced. Viewed in profile, when the dog is not moving, the hindlegs curve vertically
downwards from the buttocks to the hocks. The upper leg is long, muscular and well-shaped.
The lower leg is muscular and almost the same length as the upper leg. The thighs are
proportionate to the entire body. The calves are angular with good articulation. In profile, the
hocks are lean, large and well-shaped. The metatarsal bone is almost vertical. The feet are
the same as described above for the forelegs.
Gait/Pace:
Medium stride. When hunting, the gallop is a steady pace. The dog should be able to adjust
the speed and stride easily to adapt to the circumstances. The specimen should be very wellbalanced looking in motion.
Skin: Not too thin.
Coat:
The hair is fine, short and abundant. Sometimes, the hair will appear thicker and
Longer on the back.
Color:
Shades of “faded lilac” and wine are achieved by the overall effect of maroon-colored spots
and lines blended in together to give a mottled effect. There is a streaked appearance. In
“fawn” dogs, a lot of different blends of beige, creams and brown spots and lines in together
to achieve the shade of “peach blossom”. Colored spots are permitted, symmetrical or not, as
long as they do not dominate over the coat color or are not prevalent. If a spot appears on the
face, one spot cannot cover both eyes (the eyes cannot be covered by the same spot).
Height and Weight:
Height to the withers:
Males - 51 to 57 cm (20” to 22.4”)
Females - 48 to 55 cm (19” to 21.6”)
1 cm more or less in the allowable height will be tolerated if the subject conforms well to the
standard in other aspects.
Weight:
Males:
18 to 25 kg. (39.6 to 55.0 lbs.)
Females: 16 to 22 kg. (35.2 to 48.4 lbs.)
Disqualifying Faults
General Type
 Lack of general type.
 Taller than the standard limits.
Particular Faults to look for the Type
 Forward convergence of the skull and/or facial bones.
 A definitely hooked nose.
Coat
 Black spots/markings, a black nose.
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

A pure maroon or fawn coat or fawn spots on the body.
Extra clear eyes (you won’t see this until after two years of age).
Eyes of more than one color (i.e., one blue eye and one brown eye).
Character
 Fearfulness, timidness, easily alarmed.
 Excessively nervous.
 Uncoordinated.
Abnormalities
 In males, only one testicle showing or none showing at all.
 The upper or lower jaw a gap of more than 2 millimeters.
 Eyelids turned in or eyelids turned out.