Grand Griffon Vendeen

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT
fast facts

About Grand Griffon Vendeen

Weight
60-75 lb
Lifespan
12-14 years
Group
not applicable
Best Suited For
experienced dog owners, house with a yard, active singles, active families
Temperament
friendly, outgoing, energetic, independent
Comparable Breeds
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Basset Fauve de Bretagne
Height
23.5-26.5 inches
ADVERTISEMENT

Grand Griffon Vendeen Basics

One of several French breeds that hail from the Vendee region of France, the Grand Griffon Vendeen is one of the largest Vendee breeds. This breed is known for its friendly and outgoing nature as well as its superb hunting skills. Though the Grand Griffon Vendeen is a social breed, he is also very independent and energetic so it is a breed best for experienced dog owners.

The Grand Griffon Vendeen is known for its friendly and outgoing nature as well as its superb hunting skills.

Origin

The Grand Griffon Vendeen is one of several Vendeen griffons to be bred, though all of the other breeds are smaller. The origins of the Grand Griffon Vendeen can be traced back to the 16th century in France when it was developed as a hunting breed for large game like wild boar, deer, and fox. This breed is descended from the Canis Segusius, a griffon-type dog used by the Gauls, with influence from the King’s whites as well as the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne. The other griffon breeds include the Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne, the Griffon Nivernais, and the Griffon Bleu de Gascogne.

Pedigree

ADVERTISEMENT

One of several Vendeen breeds, the Grand Griffon Vendeen is the largest of the French griffon-type dogs. These dogs are descended from ancient griffon-type dogs and they are distinguished by their size as well as their long hair.

The Grand Griffon Vendeen has a tendency to develop independent and stubborn ways.

Food/Diet

As a fairly large dog breed, the Grand Griffon Vendeen should be fed a high-quality commercial dog food diet formulated for dogs of its size. In addition to being large in size, the Grand Griffon Vendeen is also a fairly active breed. If you train your dog for hunting, or if a traditional kibble isn’t enough to meet his high energy needs, consider switching to an active or working breed formula.

Training

The Grand Griffon Vendeen has a tendency to develop independent and stubborn ways, so early socialization and training is incredibly important. In order for this dog to respond to training you need to be firm and consistent, providing a strong hand in leadership. Positive reinforcement-type training methods are generally recommended for this breed. This breed does particularly well when trained for hunting or to perform certain tasks – it helps to give them mental stimulation as well as exercise which will help to prevent the development of problem behaviors and destructive tendencies.

Weight

As the largest of the Vendee breeds, the Grand Griffon Vendeen stands between 23 ½ and 26 ½ inches tall and its weight is proportionate to its height.

Temperament/Behavior

ADVERTISEMENT

The Grand Griffon Vendeen is a friendly and outgoing breed, but it does have a bit of an independent streak. These dogs are generally good natured and they can get along with children but their high needs for energy and their stubbornness does not make them a good choice for inexperienced dog owners.

Common Health Problems

The Grand Griffon Vendeen is generally considered to be a healthy and hardy breed. Still, all dogs are susceptible to certain health problems and this breed is no different. Some Grand Griffon Vendeens have a history of epilepsy and dogs of this size are prone to developing certain musculoskeletal issues like hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia.

Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy for the Grand Griffon Vendeen is between 12 and 14 years which is on par with other breeds of its size.

Exercise Requirements

As a hunting breed, the Grand Griffon Vendeen is a very active and energetic breed. These dogs require at least 1 hour of moderate to vigorous exercise on a daily basis and they do particularly well when trained for hunting or other dog sports. In addition to physical exercise, these dogs also need plenty of mental stimulation to prevent the development of problem behaviors.

The Grand Griffon Vendeen is generally considered to be a healthy and hardy breed.

AKC

The Grand Griffon Vendeen is technically a scenthound and it is not currently accepted by the AKC. It is, however, recognized by the American Canine Association (ACA), the Dog Registry of America (DRA), and the North American Purebred Registry (NAPR).

Coat

All griffon-type dogs have coarse hair but the Grand Griffon Vendeen’s hair is longer than most Griffon breeds. Even though the coat is fairly long, its texture keeps it from shedding to any extreme degree. Still, regular brushing and grooming is required to keep the coat and skin in good health. Trimming of the coat generally isn’t necessary, though trimming between the toes may help to prevent mats and tangles, especially if the dog is used for hunting. The Grand Griffon Vendeen’s coat comes in a variety of colors including white, black, tan, and fawn – it can be solid colored, bi-colored, or tricolored.

Puppies

The average litter size for the Grand Griffon Vendeen is between 4 and 8 puppies, though they are capable of having up to 11 puppies at one time. Because this breed has a tendency to develop independent or stubborn ways, it is essential that you start puppies with socialization and training at an early age.

Photo credit: Sanne vd Berg Fotografie/Shutterstock; Wild Carpathians/Shutterstock; Ian Dyball/Shutterstock

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Bo Shih

The perky little Bo Shih brings together the feisty spirit of the Shih Tzu and the often-stubborn personality of the Boston Terrier.

Welsh Pony

There are four categories of horses within the Welsh Pony breed: Welsh Mountain Ponies, Welsh Pony of Riding Type, Welsh Pony of Cob Type and Welsh Cobs.

Peacock Cichlids

Compared to other Lake Malawi cichlids, Peacock cichlids are relatively peaceful. They come in a wide variety of bright colors, often in iridescent shades.

And The Grand Prize Winner Of Our Fur-Raising Halloween Dog Costume Co

Drum roll please… The winner is Tiny Tina and Peppino (from spoiledmaltese.com), submitted by maltese manica! These lucky pups win a Drinkwell Pagoda…

Adoptable Dog Of The Week – Bo

We’d like you to meet Bo, our Adoptable Dog of the Week from Adoptapet.com. This handsome Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahua mix is from Port Clinton,…

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Sugar

Meet Sugar, our Upside Down Dog of the Week from Upsidedowndogs.com. Sugar is a 2-year-old female Staffordshire Bull Terrier from California. Here’s wh…

Step Up To Dog Dancing

Time to get out on the floor and shake your treat maker! Dog dancing is a popular sport and a great way to have fun and get active. If you’re looking f…

5 Safety Tips For Moving With Dogs

Moving is a long process, so you''ll want to simplify as much as possible. We''ve put together a few tips to make moving with dogs safe and stress-free.

Top 10 Best Dog Breeds For Apartments

Size does matter - especially if you live in compact quarters. We''ve come up with a list of our Top 10 best dog breeds for apartments and small spaces.

Carrot And Banana Dog Treat Recipe

Are you having a hard time feeding your dog veggies and fruits? May I suggest putting them cookie form – because everything tastes better when it&rsquo…

Brug

The bold little Brug brings together the fun-loving Pug and the headstrong Brussels Griffon for a great family dog who is devoted to his pet parent.

Clownfish

Clownfish are the most popular species of fish amongst saltwater aquarium enthusiasts. They are characterized by their beautiful colorations..

Upside Down Dog of the Week – Sinbad

Meet Sinbad, the week’s Upside Down Dog from Upsidedowndogs.com. His owner Kim says: “This is Sinbad in his chair. He is a 5-year-old. Pitbull mi…

5 Reasons Why You Should Always Pick Up Dog Poop

Do you poop and scoop, or bend and pretend? We''ve put together the top five reasons why you should always pick up dog poop after your pet''s bathroom break.

Dorkie

As a designer dog, the Dorkie has two purebred parents: Dachshund and Yorkshire Terrier. Read on to find out what this unusual mix behaves and looks like!