Irish Water Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison

Irish Water Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed ComparisonIrish Water Spaniel is originated from Ireland but Braque du Bourbonnais is originated from France. Both Irish Water Spaniel and Braque du Bourbonnais are having almost same height. Both Irish Water Spaniel and Braque du Bourbonnais are having almost same weight. Both Irish Water Spaniel and Braque du Bourbonnais has same life span. Irish Water Spaniel may have more litter size than Braque du Bourbonnais. Irish Water Spaniel requires Moderate maintenance. But Braque du Bourbonnais requires Low maintenance

History

irish water spaniel - historyThe Irish Water Spaniel is one of the larger spaniel types and also one of the oldest.

He is sometimes referred to as the Southern Irish Water Spaniel. Hailing from Ireland, the precise origins of the dog aren't altogether sure. It is believed that the dog came from other dogs from Persia and there are references to these water dogs from as early as 1600.

The modern breed was developed in Ireland in the 1830s. The breed's purpose is that of a hunter of waterfowl and he swims strongly.

The Irish Water Spaniel was recognized by the AKC in 1884. In 1890 the Irish Water Spaniel Club was formed.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Gun dog
Origin:
Ireland
France
Height Male:
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
51 - 57 cm
20 - 23 inches
Height Female:
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
49 - 56 cm
19 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
16 - 22 kg
35 - 49 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 12
3 - 6
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Rat Tail, Southern Irish Water Spaniel
Bourbonnais Pointer • Bourbonnais Pointing Dog • French Pointing Dog • French Pointer • Braques Francaises • Braque Bourbonnais
Colors Available:
Dark Brown, Liver
White, with fine brown or fawn ticking
Coat:
Longish hair - thick and very curly
fine, short, dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Gentle, Intelligent, Quiet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

irish water spaniel puppy - descriptionA peculiar feature of this dog is its hairless tail which is partly covered in curls which the rest is all but hairless, giving him the nickname of Rat Tail or Whip Tail.

Looking much like a Poodle with his tight oily curls, the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium to large sized purebred dog, a robust, compact built dog with a skull which is shaped like a dome.

The muzzle is longish, the eyes dark brown and intelligent looking and the ears are long and floppy.

His hair is thick and curly and it sheds very little so that the dog is regarded as being hypoallergenic. The medium length coat is a dark brown, liver color with fairly tight curls that may even tend to cover the eyes.

It is interesting to note that he has webbed feet, which is useful for when the dog swims.He stands at roughly 51cm to 61cm and weighs between 25 to 30kg.

Temperament:

Temperament in any dog is affected by socialization and the way the human owner raises the dog. The Irish Water Spaniel is a water loving dog, being active and energetic.

He is an intelligent dog and easy to train and socialize. When trained he becomes such an obedient dog. He has also got a light-hearted side to him and is actually known to be quite amusing and clownish, providing plenty of laughs for you.

They make good family dogs, getting on well with children in the home as well as with other pets. They're also able to make good guard dogs, taking the protective roles seriously. He isn't an aggressive dog but he has a warning bark that can be a good warning to intruders.

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

irish water spaniel dog - characteristicsYour active Irish Water Spaniel just loves water so you can count him in whenever you go swimming. That is one characteristic of the Irish Water Spaniel – he just loves to be involved in all the action you're busy with.

He makes an ideal family pet for an active family, and he will be a loyal and devoted pet who will provide a lot of fun to your family with his mischievous side.

He is confident, independent and strong willed so first time dog owners should bear this in mind. He is essentially just a fun loving, busy dog and if you make sure to exercise him well and make sure he is a participating member of your family, he'll be your most loving and devoted 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

irish water spaniel puppies - health problemsA generally healthy breed, the Irish Water Spaniel, just like with most other dogs, can fall prey to some of the more common dog ailments of which hip dysplasia is one.

Bone and joint problems like this can lead to lameness even in young dogs.

Eye diseases are also a problem, and cataracts can form in the eye, particularly when the dog is older and create a cloudy look to the eye. It's not painful for the dog.

Hypothyroidism, a treatable hormonal disorder is another disease worth being aware of.

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

Grooming:

irish water spaniel dogs - caringYour Irish Water Spaniel requires quite a bit of grooming that will involve his coat, his nails, his teeth and his ears. The double coat doesn't shed much so it can be easily maintained by brushing the coat twice a week.

It can help your water spaniel to look good by sending him in to a doggy grooming parlor to have his curls neatened. This is a dog that loves water and swimming, and you will need to check the inside of his ears for dampness, wax build-up and debris. This can all combine to cause nasty ear infections.

Exercise:

The dog is energetic and will need to be exercised. Take him for walks, play ball games with him and allow him to go on hikes with you or to go swimming. He loves being involved in all your activities as he is a social, active dog.

Diet:

Highly energetic, it will be important to feed your Irish Water Spaniel with food that enhances his energy levels. There are some good quality commercially manufactured dog foods on the market. Choose one that caters for active, athletic dogs such as the Irish Water Spaniel.

Dry kibble is more recommended to prevent canine tooth decay. Mix in some home cooked foods from time to time such as cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables and try to include some raw meat every now and then as well. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pudelpointer vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  2. Picardy Spaniel vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  3. Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  4. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Springer Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  5. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  6. Irish Water Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  7. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Setter - Breed Comparison
  8. Irish Water Spaniel vs French Brittany - Breed Comparison
  9. Irish Water Spaniel vs Boykin Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  10. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  11. Irish Water Spaniel vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed Comparison
  12. Irish Water Spaniel vs Barbet - Breed Comparison
  13. Irish Water Spaniel vs Ariege Pointer - Breed Comparison
  14. Irish Water Spaniel vs Blue Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  15. Irish Water Spaniel vs Canadian Pointer - Breed Comparison
  16. Irish Water Spaniel vs Deutsch Drahthaar - Breed Comparison
  17. Irish Water Spaniel vs Clumber Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  18. Irish Water Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  19. Irish Water Spaniel vs Cesky Fousek - Breed Comparison
  20. Irish Water Spaniel vs Drentse Patrijshond - Breed Comparison
  21. Stabyhoun vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  22. Styrian Coarse Haired Hound vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  23. Vizsla vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  24. Large Munsterlander vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  25. Tyrolean Hound vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  26. English Springer Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  27. English Setter vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  28. French Brittany vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  29. Pudelpointer vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  30. Picardy Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  31. Ariege Pointer vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  32. Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  33. Deutsch Drahthaar vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  34. Clumber Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  35. Stabyhoun vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  36. Styrian Coarse Haired Hound vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  37. Vizsla vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  38. Large Munsterlander vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  39. Tyrolean Hound vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  40. Cockalier vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  41. Braque du Bourbonnais vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  42. Braque du Bourbonnais vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  43. Braque du Bourbonnais vs Boykin Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  44. Braque du Bourbonnais vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  45. Braque du Bourbonnais vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed Comparison
  46. Braque du Bourbonnais vs Barbet - Breed Comparison
  47. Braque du Bourbonnais vs Blue Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  48. Braque du Bourbonnais vs Canadian Pointer - Breed Comparison
  49. Cesky Fousek vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds