Leonberger vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison

Leonberger vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed ComparisonLeonberger is originated from Germany but Braque du Bourbonnais is originated from France. Leonberger may grow 23 cm / 10 inches higher than Braque du Bourbonnais. Leonberger may weigh 52 kg / 115 pounds more than Braque du Bourbonnais. Both Leonberger and Braque du Bourbonnais has almost same life span. Leonberger may have more litter size than Braque du Bourbonnais. Leonberger requires Moderate maintenance. But Braque du Bourbonnais requires Low maintenance

History

leonberger - historyHailing from Germany, and more specifically the city of Leonberg, the Leonberger is a giant dog breed.

A resident of Leonberg, Germany, was looking to develop a dog that resembled a lion and in 1846 it was announced that such a dog had been developed by crossing a Newfoundland, Saint Bernard and Pyrenean Mountain dog.

It was after 2010, when the Leonberger Club of America joined the American Kennel Club, that the strict breeding rules were no longer mandatory for all Leonbergers.

braque du bourbonnais - historyThe Braque du Bourbonnais is an ancient breed, seen in the 15th century in France in the province of Bourbonnais. He became extremely popular with hunters by the 1800’s as a good pointer. He has become very popular in the United States and all of North America. There are often more puppies born in the U.S. than in France. The British call this breed the Bourbonnais Pointing Dog.

As with so many European hunting and working dogs, the Braque du Bourbonnais almost disappeared following World War I but was saved by the first breed club, established in 1925. Then following World War II, they were again in danger as the club dissolved and birth rates among the breed decreased drastically.

Actually, there were no dogs at all in the French registry between 1963 and 1973. This was attributed to the fact that the registry put more emphasis on the secondary characteristics such as color, length of tail) instead of the hunting characteristics. Because of this some hunter-breeders vowed to bring the real Braque du Bourbonnais back.

Michel Comte took on this task in 1970 but could not find any dogs with pure Bourbonnais blood. So, he took missed breed with characteristics like the Bourbonnais and inbred several litters until he had a dog he was satisfied with. He registered this dog with the LOF in 1973-75. Seeing this several other breeders got into the act and they successfully brought the breed back.

Michel became president of the new Club du Braque du Bourbonnais in 1981 and remained so until 2001. During this time the breed excelled at field trials and was first sent to the U.S. in 1988. The breed is now thriving in both Europe and North America.

Description

leonberger puppy - descriptionAs a giant breed, the Leonberger stands at between 65cm and 80cm in height. He weighs a hefty 40 – 77kg both males and females.

These dogs are described as being dimorphic. It means that there is quite a difference in the looks of the males and females, with the male dogs being heftier and larger than the females.

The head of the dog is large, he has almond-shaped, dark brown eyes and the ears are medium sized and floppy. The tail is long and he has webbed feet which makes him a good swimmer too.

The thick, double coat can be straight or wavy and comes in different colors such as reddish-brown, tan, sandy or yellowish and the hairs can be tipped with black. He sheds quite a bit so will need regular brushing.

The Leonberger can have between 6 – 14 puppies and these puppies are like big, fat, cuddly, fluffy teddy bears. Don’t be tempted to just buy one because of his wonderful looks because they turn out to be huge dogs that eat a lot and the coat can take quite a bit of effort to keep groomed.

Temperament:

Fondly referred to as the Leo, this giant beautiful dog is social and in spite of his size, he should never be left alone in the backyard for long periods of time. He needs to come indoors from time to time to enjoy some interaction with his human family.

He is a family dog, and with training and socialization, he becomes a well-rounded, confident, obedient pet, quiet and content and sensitive to his owner’s moods.

Even though he becomes a great family pet, you need to think twice before you decide to own one of these large dogs as he can be costly to feed.

braque du bourbonnais puppy - descriptionThis is an elegant breed with a medium sized, muscular bod and a round head. The nose will be the color of the coat and the muzzle is cone shaped with a wide base. He has large dark or hazel eyes, again depending on the color of the coat. The ears can drop below the throat and the neck is very muscular. He has a deep, wide chest and straight, muscular legs. The coat can come in two colors – liver and fawn – and ticked or spotted. They have a typical short pointer type tail.

Characteristics

leonberger dog - characteristicsDon’t be deceived by the looks of the big Leonberger because he isn’t aggressive, but quiet and calm. Large he may be, but he isn’t sluggish either and he will certainly require exercise such as a long, fairly lively walk every day.

They’re intelligent dogs too and respond well to socialization and training. He is a social dog and wants to enjoy plenty of interaction with his human family members.

These dogs are often used as rescue- and therapy dogs as they are so loving and sensitive. Give him lots of love and good care and you’re going to have the most wonderful pet that lives up to the saying – dogs are man’s best friend.

braque du bourbonnais dog - characteristicsThe Braque du Bourbonnais is a gentle, calm dog. He is affectionate and kind when off the job but intelligent, adaptable and serious when hunting. They are intense when learning or hunting and they will learn quickly. They are good with other dogs.

Health Problems

leonberger puppies - health problemsLeonbergers are strong, generally healthy dogs. It is said that very large dogs like this don’t live as long as smaller dogs and they also face more health issues. Orthopedic issues such as hip dysplasia are more common with large breeds.

Hip Dysplasia:

An orthopedic problem like this is a misalignment of a joint. This large dog also tends to develop elbow dysplasia too. Fortunately today, hip- and elbow dysplasia is controlled because of efforts of breeders to have their Leonbergers screened.

Nonetheless it is important to know about this ailment. The word ‘Dysplasia’ is referring to an abnormality of development. With both hip- and elbow dysplasia, there is abnormal development of the joints, and osteoarthritis can build up, causing lameness for your giant canine.

Cancer:

Cancer is sadly a leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10 years. Lymphoma is a blood-related cancer – a tumor of the lymph nodes. Dogs can develop different forms of lymphoma. The warning signs are a lump or a wound that won’t heal, swelling in the bone and abnormal bleeding.

Luckily cancer is very treatable in dogs, but you need to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

This medium sized pointer can suffer from:

Hip Dysplasia – can be tested

braque du bourbonnais puppies - health problemsEntropion - both of these are issues with eyelashes turning inward or outward and both can

Ectropion - injure the eye

Pulmonic Stenosis of the heart – valve doesn’t open

Caring The Pet

leonberger dogs - caringThat long coat of the Leonberger is going to require some brushing at least twice a week. He is also a moderate shedder and you want to get rid of all that loose hair and to keep him looking well groomed.

Diet:

A proper, nutritious diet is an essential part of having healthy, happy dogs and if you’re unsure about how to feed your giant pet, speak to your veterinarian.

The best diet for dogs is always very debatable, but essentially it needs to be kept simple. Try and invest in the very best commercially manufactured dog food for large breeds. Every dog wants a tasty home-made morsel from time to time. Add in cooked chicken, brown rice as well as cooked or raw vegetables. Raw meat can also be added in from time to time.

You want to avoid feeding the Leonberger puppy a high protein diet as this encourages rapid growth and you want to avoid that.

Feeding

braque du bourbonnais dogs - caringThis breed is prone to weight gain and obesity. Be careful not to overfeed them. Don’t free feed them but give them 2-3 smaller meals per day.

Health issues

Hip Dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis

Entropion - both of these are issues with eyelashes turning inward or outward and both can

Ectropion - injure the eye

Pulmonic Stenosis of the heart- minor will have no symptoms but eventually the heart will not be able to function efficiently and could lead to congestive heart failure.

Exercise and games

The Braque du Bourbonnais needs at least a minimum amount of exercise daily , especially if he is not used for hunting. A fenced backyard for playtime would be perfect but long walks will work. He likes to learn tricks, play ball or hide and seek. Outside activities could include hiking, swimming, agility, retrieving, rally and obedience trials, along with the usual field trials.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Gun dog
Origin:
Germany
France
Height Male:
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
51 - 57 cm
20 - 23 inches
Height Female:
65 - 80 cm
25 - 32 inches
49 - 56 cm
19 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
40 - 77 kg
88 - 170 pounds
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 77 kg
88 - 170 pounds
16 - 22 kg
35 - 49 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 10 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 14
3 - 6
Size:
Giant dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Gentle Leo, Leo, Gentle Giant
Bourbonnais Pointer • Bourbonnais Pointing Dog • French Pointing Dog • French Pointer • Braques Francaises • Braque Bourbonnais
Colors Available:
sandy or yellowish, tan, Reddish-brown
White, with fine brown or fawn ticking
Coat:
Thick double-coat - straight or wavy
fine, short, dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Gentle, Intelligent, Quiet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. English Springer Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  2. English Setter vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  3. French Brittany vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  4. Pudelpointer vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  5. Picardy Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  6. Ariege Pointer vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  7. Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  8. Irish Water Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  9. Deutsch Drahthaar vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  10. Clumber Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  11. Stabyhoun vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  12. Styrian Coarse Haired Hound vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  13. Vizsla vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  14. Large Munsterlander vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  15. Tyrolean Hound vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  16. Cockalier vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  17. Braque du Bourbonnais vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  18. Braque du Bourbonnais vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  19. Braque du Bourbonnais vs Boykin Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  20. Braque du Bourbonnais vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  21. Braque du Bourbonnais vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed Comparison
  22. Braque du Bourbonnais vs Barbet - Breed Comparison
  23. Braque du Bourbonnais vs Blue Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  24. Braque du Bourbonnais vs Canadian Pointer - Breed Comparison
  25. Cesky Fousek vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  26. Newfoundland Dog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  27. Leonberger vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Leonberger vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  29. Leonberger vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  30. Leonberger vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  31. Leonberger vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  32. Leonberger vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. Leonberger vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  34. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  35. Moscow Watchdog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  36. Spanish Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  37. St. Bernard vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  38. Moscow Water Dog vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  39. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  40. Leonberger vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  41. Leonberger vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  42. Leonberger vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  43. Leonberger vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  44. Leonberger vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  45. Leonberger vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds