Briquet Griffon Vendeen Basics

The griffon breed type is known for its coarse, wiry coat and its hunting abilities – this is particularly true for the Briquet Griffon Vendeen. This breed belongs to the Vendee line of griffon-type dogs and it is particularly talented as a small game hunter. Though it is friendly and outgoing by nature, these dogs can also develop a stubborn streak which can sometimes make training challenging. If you are looking for an active breed and you are up to the challenge, however, the Briquet Griffon Vendeen has the potential to make a great family pet.

The griffon breed type is known for its coarse, wiry coat and its hunting abilities – this is particularly true for the Briquet Griffon Vendeen.

Origin

The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is a type of hunting dog that originated in France, like all of the Vendeen griffons. Bred down in size from the Grand Griffon Vendeen, the Briquet Griffon Vendeen was developed to hunt smaller game such as hare. The breed nearly went extinct in the aftermath of World War II but was revived through the concentrated breeding efforts of Hubert Dezamy, a judge of French dog shows. Today the breed remains fairly rare and it has yet to be recognized by the AKC.

Pedigree

The Briquet Griffon Vendeen was bred down in size from the Grand Griffon Vendeen, the largest of the French Vendeen griffons. It is descendant from the Canis Segusius used by the Gauls and it shares much of its ancestry with the Basset Fauve de Bretagne.

Food/Diet

As a medium-sized breed, the Briquet Griffon Vendeen should be fed a high-quality commercial dog food diet formulated for dogs of its size. Because the breed is fairly active and energetic, it may require an active or working breed formula – especially if you train your dog for hunting or other dog sports.

The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is an active and outgoing breed that does best when it has a job to perform.

Training

The Briquet Griffon Vendeen was developed as a hunting breed so it does have a bit of an independent streak that needs to be managed with early socialization and training. This breed can be challenging to train which is one reason why it is recommended for experienced dog owners. Positive-reinforcement type training methods are best for this breed and you need to maintain a firm and consistent hand in leadership with the dog. This dog does well when trained for hunting or other dog sports and they can be trained to work independently or as part of a pack.

Weight

The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is a medium-sized breed standing between 19 and 22 inches tall with an average weight between 48 and 53 pounds.

Temperament/Behavior

The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is an active and outgoing breed that does best when it has a job to perform. This breed is friendly and social by nature and they do enjoy spending time with family. Briquet Griffon Vendeens are generally very good with children and they tend to get along well with other dogs, though they may chase smaller household pets like cats due to their hunting natures. This breed does have a tendency to develop problem behaviors if it doesn’t get enough exercise or if it isn’t properly trained and socialized.

Common Health Problems

The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is generally considered a healthy and hardy breed but, like all dogs, they are prone to developing certain health problems. Some of the conditions known to affect the breed include epilepsy, congenital deafness, hypothyroidism, allergies, and collie eye anomaly. These dogs are also prone to hunting injuries.

Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy for the Briquet Griffon Vendeen breed is 10 to 12 years which is on-par for other dog breeds of its size.

Exercise Requirements

Because it was developed as a hunting breed, the Briquet Griffon Vendeen has fairly high needs for exercise. These dogs require at least one hour of moderate to vigorous exercise on a daily basis and they appreciate having a large fenced yard to run around in. Mental stimulation is just as important for this breed as physical exercise to prevent the development of problem behaviors.

Briquet Griffon Vendeens are generally very good with children and they tend to get along well with other dogs.

AKC

The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is not currently recognized by the AKC but it is recognized by the United Kennel Club, the American Canine Registry, the FCI, and a number of other organizations.

Coat

The Briquet Griffon Vendeen has a thick double coat of coarse, somewhat wiry hair that gives it a tousled appearance. Trimming of the coat is not encouraged for this breed, though regular brushing and grooming is a good idea to prevent tangles and to control shedding. If the dog is used for hunting, regular brushing and combing will be especially important to remove mats and burrs. The most common coat colors for this breed are white and black, white and orange, black and tan, or tricolor.

Puppies

The average litter size for the Briquet Griffon Vendeen is 4 to 6 puppies. Because these dogs have a tendency to develop an independent streak, it is absolutely essential that you start them with early training and socialization. When raised with other household pets, these dogs can get along with cats and other dogs but you should still supervise them.

Photo credit: Alephalpha/Wikipedia; nadia & Massimo/Flickr