Longevity
Life expectancy
With an appropriate diet, regular activity and preventive veterinary follow-up, this dog generally lives between 12 and 15 years. Maintaining a stable weight and early screening for skin disorders help preserve its quality of life.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Its solid build and its origins as a hunting dog give it good endurance. Its robustness does not exempt it from regular checks of the skin, ears, paw pads and coat after each outing in the field.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Particular attention must be paid to the condition of the skin and coat. Any appearance of itching, redness, depigmentation, blisters or hair loss warrants veterinary advice, as several dermatological diseases are described in the breed.
Epidermolysis bullosa: rare hereditary skin condition causing skin fragility and the formation of blisters or lesions after minimal trauma.
Demodectic mange: abnormal proliferation of Demodex mites that can cause redness, hair loss, and skin inflammation, especially in predisposed individuals.
Vitiligo: pigmentation disorder that causes the progressive appearance of depigmented areas on the skin or coat.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Its very short coat offers limited protection against intense cold and prolonged bad weather. In summer, activity should be shifted to cooler hours, with shade and water available at will. After an outing in wet weather, the dog must be dried carefully, especially around the ears.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
Very active when it benefits from a suitable lifestyle, the Braque du Bourbonnais can nevertheless gain weight if its portions exceed its expenditure. The ration must be adjusted to its age, its weight, its hunting activity and its body condition, while limiting treats and table scraps.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Examine the skin and coat each week.
- Check the ears after each outing in vegetation.
- Keep vaccinations and antiparasitic treatments up to date.
- Rinse and dry the paws and belly after a wet outing.
Vaccination
Bourbonnais Pointer vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Bourbonnais Pointer need? Like all dogs, Bourbonnais Pointers should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Bourbonnais Pointer vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Bourbonnais Pointer booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Bourbonnais Pointer need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Bourbonnais Pointer
Before an adoption, it is advisable to find out about the dermatological health of the breeding dogs and about the family history. An annual veterinary follow-up, regular examination of the skin and ears, as well as monitoring of weight and mobility make it possible to quickly detect abnormalities.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
