PuppyBase

Braque du Bourbonnais vs German Spitz

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

Braque du Bourbonnais vs German Spitz

You’re probably comparing a Braque du Bourbonnais and a German Spitz because you want a dog that’s smart, trainable, and bonds deeply. but that’s where the similarities end. One’s built for open fields and bird scent; the other for window perches and alarm-barking at mail carriers. Picking between them isn’t about preference, it’s about lifestyle. If you’re up before dawn to hike, hunt, or cover miles with a dog who lives to work, the Braque is your match. At 35 to 53 pounds, this French pointer thrives on physical challenge and space. You’ll get affection and adaptability, but only if you meet its energy needs. Miss that, and you’ll have a frustrated dog with a 4/5 energy rating tearing up your yard. They’re quiet barkers and moderate shedders, but they need experienced handling and aren’t for couch potatoes. Kids? They’ll tolerate them, but it’s not their focus. The German Spitz, meanwhile, is a lively 24-pound watchdog with a fox face and a big personality. Bred to alert and companion, it’s perfect for apartments or city life. It’s alert, barks at everything (5/5), and needs consistent grooming. But it’s also loyal, great with families, and lives longer. 13 to 15 years. You’ll trade outdoor stamina for indoor charm. Here’s the real talk: the Braque needs a job, even if it’s just advanced obedience or scent games. Without one, it’ll quietly disengage. The Spitz will always be “on”. and if you hate barking, you’ll regret it. Choose the Braque if your heart is in the field. Choose the Spitz if your home needs a little guardian with big opinions.

Braque du Bourbonnais
German Spitz
19–22.5 in
Height
12–15 in
35–53 lb
Weight
24–26 lb
10–12 yr
Lifespan
13–15 yr
$1.5–3.5k
Puppy price
$1.0–3.0k
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.
Braque du Bourbonnais German Spitz
Overlay

Where they diverge

Barking Level
Braque du Bourbonnais barks less (3-point difference)
Braque
Coat Grooming
Braque du Bourbonnais needs less grooming (2-point difference)
Braque
Shedding Level
Braque du Bourbonnais sheds less (1-point difference)
Braque
Good with Strangers
German Spitz is friendlier with strangers (1-point difference)
German
Playfulness
German Spitz is more playful (1-point difference)
German
The verdict

Choose the Braque du Bourbonnais if…

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

Choose the German Spitz if…

  • Apartment dwellers
  • Families with children
  • Alert watchdog
  • You value barking levelGerman Spitz 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
German Spitz Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your German Spitz 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