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Braque du Bourbonnais vs English Setter

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

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The bottom line

Braque du Bourbonnais vs English Setter

People compare the Braque du Bourbonnais and the English Setter because they’re both elegant, bird-driven pointers with soft eyes and a love for open fields. On paper, they’re chasing the same birds. but in real life, they suit very different kinds of people. The Braque is a lean, compact hunter built for agility and intensity. At 35 to 53 pounds, it’s lighter and more nimble than the rangy English Setter, which can tip the scales at 80 pounds. If you’re logging miles over rough terrain and want a dog that thrives on purpose, the Braque’s your partner. It’s intensely trainable. 5 out of 5. and quiet by nature, but it needs a job. Without one, that high energy turns restless. It’s affectionate but not overly clingy, and it won’t win over kids with sweetness alone. just a 3 on that scale. This isn’t a couch dog. It’s a specialist. The English Setter, by contrast, is a family-first companion with a hunter’s soul. Bigger, fluffier, and more outgoing, it bonds deeply with kids and adapts better to suburban life. provided you’re walking it daily. Its 4 out of 5 affection rating means it’ll follow you room to room, curl up after fetch, and greet the mailman like a long-lost cousin. But that beautiful coat demands brushing every few days, and those floppy ears mean ear infections are a real risk. Here’s the truth beyond the stats: The Braque du Bourbonnais is a working artist. rare, focused, and best appreciated by someone who speaks dog. The English Setter is a social athlete. ready to hunt at dawn and host your brunch guests by noon. Choose the Braque if you want a purpose-built partner. Choose the Setter if you want a joyful, bouncy soul who happens to point birds.

Braque du Bourbonnais
English Setter
19–22.5 in
Height
23–27 in
35–53 lb
Weight
45–80 lb
10–12 yr
Lifespan
12–12 yr
$1.5–3.5k
Puppy price
$1.2–3.0k
AKC popularity
#94

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.
Braque du Bourbonnais English Setter
Overlay

Where they diverge

Coat Grooming
Braque du Bourbonnais needs less grooming (2-point difference)
Braque
Affectionate w/ Family
English Setter is more affectionate (1-point difference)
English
Good with Young Children
English Setter is better with kids (1-point difference)
English
Shedding Level
Braque du Bourbonnais sheds less (1-point difference)
Braque
Drooling Level
Braque du Bourbonnais drools less (1-point difference)
Braque
The verdict

Choose the Braque du Bourbonnais if…

  • hunters and bird dog enthusiasts
  • active rural families
  • experienced pointer owners
  • You value trainabilityBraque du Bourbonnais scores noticeably higher.

Choose the English Setter if…

  • Active families
  • Hunters
  • Homes with a yard
  • You value coat groomingEnglish Setter scores higher here.
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
English Setter Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your English Setter 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

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