PuppyBase

American English Coonhound vs Braque du Bourbonnais

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

Perfect Puppy Quiz · 5 questions · 90 seconds

Not sure which breed fits your life?

Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.

The bottom line

American English Coonhound vs Braque du Bourbonnais

You don’t see folks comparing an American English Coonhound to a Braque du Bourbonnais every day, but when you do, it’s usually a hunter or an active family weighing their next dog for the country property. Both are medium-sized, energetic, and built for work, but that’s where the trail splits. The Coonhound is all about noise and nose. Bred to bay at the base of a tree for hours, this dog will vocalize like it’s paid to do it. and it sort of was. You’ll love their sweet, mellow charm if you’re home most after a hunt, but don’t expect quiet weekends or city living. They’re sociable with people and dogs alike, but that independence can make training a grind. They’ll follow a scent through a thunderstorm, which is great if you’re tracking raccoons, less great if you’re trying to recall them at the park. The Braque, meanwhile, is the quiet French pointer who’d rather point than protest. Compact, with those expressive round eyes and a docked or natural bobtail, they’re biddable and eager to please. Training clicks faster here. this is a dog that watches your face, not just the horizon. They’re affectionate in a subtle way, curling up after a long day in the field, and they won’t wake the neighbors when they bark. But don’t be fooled by the calm demeanor indoors; they need serious outdoor time, preferably with birds involved. If you’re hunting at night and want a dog that works solo, the Coonhound’s your partner. If you’re upland hunting by day and want a dog that transitions smoothly from field to family, go Bourbonnais. Here’s the real talk: neither does well without a job. A bored Coonhound will howl you into debt with noise complaints. A bored Braque will find ways to disassemble your furniture. Choose based on your rhythm, not just your yard.

American English Coonhound
Braque du Bourbonnais
23–26 in
Height
19–22.5 in
45–65 lb
Weight
35–53 lb
11–12 yr
Lifespan
10–12 yr
$0.8–2.0k
Puppy price
$1.5–3.5k
#175
AKC popularity

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
American English Coonhound Braque du Bourbonnais
Overlay

Where they diverge

Trainability
Braque du Bourbonnais is easier to train (2-point difference)
Braque
Barking Level
Braque du Bourbonnais barks less (2-point difference)
Braque
Affectionate w/ Family
Braque du Bourbonnais is more affectionate (1-point difference)
Braque
Good with Other Dogs
American English Coonhound is better with other dogs (1-point difference)
American
Drooling Level
American English Coonhound drools less (1-point difference)
American
The verdict

Choose the American English Coonhound if…

  • Active people
  • Rural homes
  • Hunters
  • You value barking levelAmerican English Coonhound scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Braque du Bourbonnais if…

  • hunters and bird dog enthusiasts
  • active rural families
  • experienced pointer owners
  • You value trainabilityBraque du Bourbonnais scores higher here.
American English Coonhound Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your American English Coonhound home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Braque du Bourbonnais Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Braque du Bourbonnais home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

Other comparisons people run