Barbet Braque du Bourbonnais Mix

The Barbet Braque du Bourbonnais Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Barbet and the Braque du Bourbonnais. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The Barbet is known for being friendly, bright and good natured. All dogs need proper socialization and that will be a big factor in how they interact with others. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Is it more like the Barbet or the Braque du Bourbonnais? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Barbet Braque du Bourbonnais Mix.

While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Barbet Braque du Bourbonnais Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Barbet Braque du Bourbonnais Mix puppies for sale.

If you are interested in helping animal rescues raise money, please play our quiz. Each correct answer donates to help feed shelter animals.

Barbet Braque du Bourbonnais Mix History

All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. If you have a few minutes, please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.

Barbet History

This shaggy, medium-sized fellow, also called the French Water Dog, is considered rare. Estimates place their numbers in the U.S. at no higher than 200, with only a few hundred more worldwide. Barbet enthusiasts hope more dog lovers will learn about and help raise the popularity of this joyous, versatile, family-oriented dog.

Of French origin, the Barbet was bred to hunt and retrieve waterfowl, and his curly, wooly coat helps protect him from the elements as he goes about his work. Webbed feet make him an excellent swimmer. As an intelligent and happy breed with the retrieving instinct, the Barbet (French for “beard”) needs obedience training and regular physical exercise; however, he is relatively easy to train. Once properly socialized, your Barbet will become a fun-loving family member who gets along well with other dogs, elderly people, children, and other small pets. Given enough attention and exercise, the Barbet can do well as an apartment dog.

Barbets have been around. Although the first known mention of the breed occurred in 1387, the Barbet may have originated as early as the eighth century. His reputation as a water retriever is sterling. Henry IV, France’s king from 1589 to 1610, enjoyed waterfowling with his Barbets. A popular legend asserts that the king's mistress even dared to bring a Barbet to church!

Braque du Bourbonnais History

Here’s a dog that nearly fell into extinction….and then climbed out. World Wars II was hard on the Braque du Bourbonnais (sometimes called the French Pointer). After the war, the number of pups born declined and the breed club ceased to exist because there were no Braques du Bourbonnais in the French register. An enterprising breeder took it upon himself to bring the dog back.
The Bourbonnais is one of the oldest known pointing dogs, with roots going all the way back to the Bourbonnais region of France during the Renaissance. Most breed authorities believe the Bourbonnais was developed by crossing a Braque Francais, or large French pointer, with hunting breeds from the Bourbonnais region. Although the Bourbonnais was well established in France by the end of the 17th century, the breed standard was quite strict and may have limited the number of people acquiring one.

Breeders of the time had a near-obsessive focus on coloring. They wanted to produce a highlight or ticking in a unique color they called faded lilac. Additionally, the dog had to be born either with no tail at all or a very short tail. These requirements may have prevented breeding; Braque du Bourbonnaises that did not meet the standard were not considered pure or used for breeding.

Fast-forward to the late 19th century and one of the reasons breed numbers began to decline. French hunters of the time began to prepare English pointers over their French hunting breeds. Seeing their numbers decline, a group of breeders came together to try and save the dog, and just before World War II they were making a recovery.

It was World War II that nearly destroyed the Bourbonnais. Breeding activity dropped off and the breed club ceased to be active,. Many people believe that the breeder’s rigid standards for coloring, tail and appearance had “bred out” a good deal of their hunting ability. By the 1960s, the breed was no longer in the French registry.

In 1970, French hunter and breeder Michel Comte, determined to revive the breed, began looking for dogs that had some Bourbonnais blood. He came up with just four dogs, all of them mixed with some other dog. After some trial and error, he registered his first dog in the French registry from 1973 to 1975. Other breeders joined him, establishing their own lines. Gradually, the number of births increased.

In 1981, the breed club was reformed, with Comte as its president until 2001. It was discovered that the dog performed exceptionally well in field trials as well as pointing, and their numbers continued to grow.

The US welcomed its first Bourbonnais in 1988, and its numbers have been growing in this country ever since.

Barbet Braque du Bourbonnais Mix Size and Weight

Barbet
Height: 23 - 24 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 37 - 62 lb.
Lifespan: 14 years

Braque du Bourbonnais
Height: 18 - 22 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 35 - 55 lb.
Lifespan: 13 - 15 years

Barbet Braque du Bourbonnais Mix Personality

The Barbet and the Braque du Bourbonnais might be a little bit spunky. They can be an inquisitive little fella so keep on the lookout for that behavior! All dogs need attention and don't want to be left alone. That's why you have a pet, right? Plan on putting forth effort to socialize her as this will reap dividends in the long run. Please use always use positive reinforcement even though they can have a mind of their own. Enjoy being with your new mixed breed and love the relationship you will have with them.

Barbet Braque du Bourbonnais Mix Health

All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. We obviously recommend that you look for a reputable animal rescue in your area to find your new mixed breed. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.

The Barbet mixed with the Braque du Bourbonnais might be prone to joint dysplasia, hernia, epilepsy, ear infection, non-descending testicles, among others.

Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.

Barbet Braque du Bourbonnais Mix Care

What are the grooming requirements?

Even if you know the breed, sometimes it is hard to tell if it will be a heavy shedder or a light shedder. Either way, Get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.

What are the exercise requirements?

Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This mix will more than likely have a high energy level. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.

What are the training requirements?

This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.

Barbet Braque du Bourbonnais Mix Feeding

"A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.

Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.

I good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background."

Barbet Links

Links to other breeds you might be interested in