Pointing Dog / FCI Group 7 · Purebred · France's ancient natural bobtail bird dog — a gentle, efficient pointer that nearly vanished in the 20th century and was saved by passionate French breeders
The Bourbonnais Pointing Dog (Bourbonnais Pointing Dog) is one of France's oldest gun dog breeds — a compact, naturally short-tailed pointing dog whose origins in the Bourbonnais region of central France can be traced to at least the 16th century. Renaissance naturalist Pierre Belon described a "Chien callet" in 1555 that is widely believed to be the Bourbonnais Pointing Dog, and 17th-century French hunting texts describe a pointing dog from Bourbonnais with a distinctive ticked coat and natural bobtail that matches the breed precisely.
The breed's most distinctive physical feature is its naturally occurring bobtail — many individuals are born with little or no tail, a genetic trait that appears without any docking. The coat is white with liver (fawn) or peach-blossom (wine-colored) ticking, giving it a uniquely mottled appearance unlike most other pointing breeds. Despite its ancient history, the Bourbonnais Pointing Dog nearly vanished entirely in the early 20th century and was considered extinct by the 1960s. A remarkable reconstruction effort by French breeder Michel Comte in the 1970s and 1980s revived the breed from just a handful of remaining dogs, and today the Bourbonnais Pointing Dog is a valued hunting companion and rare but devoted family pet.
Real Bourbonnais Pointing Dog — browse photos showcasing their distinctive ticked coat and natural bobtail.
The Bourbonnais Pointing Dog is one of the gentlest and most people-oriented of all pointing breeds — described consistently as calm, affectionate, and deeply sensitive. They form intense bonds with their owners and dislike extended periods alone, making them true companion dogs as much as hunting partners.
The Bourbonnais Pointing Dog is a generally healthy breed. The genetic bottleneck of the 1970s reconstruction has been carefully managed by French and international breeders to maximize genetic diversity.
The Bourbonnais Pointing Dog suits active, attentive owners who want a gentle, beautiful, and highly capable gun dog or active companion. Their sensitivity makes them unsuitable for harsh training environments, but deeply rewarding for patient owners who appreciate a dog that truly lives to please. Their rarity makes them a special find for pointer enthusiasts.
The Bourbonnais Pointing Dog is gentle and social, making them easier boarders than many hunting breeds. Their sensitivity means they do best in a calm, attentive boarding environment rather than a busy kennel. Brief the facility on their gentle nature — they can be intimidated by harsh voices or rough handling. Pack familiar bedding and toys.
Budget approximately $100–$185 per month for a Bourbonnais Pointing Dog.
Bourbonnais Pointing Dog mixes are uncommon. Their gentle temperament and field ability blend well with other continental pointing breeds.
Two continental pointing breeds — a versatile, enthusiastic, and highly capable gun dog with exceptional field ability and a devoted family temperament.
Pointing instinct meets retriever enthusiasm — a friendly, versatile gun dog equally capable in the field and in the family home.