Briquet Griffon Vendeen Dog Overview
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen is known as a medium-sized, athletic scent hound with an appealing shaggy coat.
Their looks are expressive due to their dark eyes and bushy brows.
Anyone familiar with the Grand Griffon Vendéen may believe their eyes are deceiving them, yet the two breeds appear so similar because the Briquet Griffon Vendéen was bred directly from the Grand Griffon Vendéen in order to make a somewhat smaller dog.
These dogs, who were bred in France specifically for hunting, have the stamina to work for hours on end and appreciate the opportunity to do so.
They are completely unsuitable for apartment living and demand a great deal of exercise and attention.
Briquet Griffon Vendeen Highlights
- The griffon breed type is known for its coarse, wiry coat and its hunting abilities – this is particularly true for the Briquet Griffon Vendeen.
- The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is a type of hunting dog that originated in France, like all of the Vendeen griffons.
- The Briquet Griffon Vendeen was bred down in size from the Grand Griffon Vendeen, the largest of the French Vendeen griffons.
- 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.
- 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 Vendeen Breed Features & Ratings:
Rated base on a 5 Star Scale
ENERGY LEVEL: 4 Star
EXERCISE REQUIREMENTS: 4 Star
PLAYFULNESS: 5 Star
AFFECTION LEVEL: 5 Star
FRIENDLINESS TO DOGS: 5 Star
FRIENDLINESS TO OTHER PETS: 5 Star
FRIENDLINESS TO STRANGERS: 5 Star
WATCHFULNESS: 5 Star
EASE OF TRAINING: 5 Star
GROOMING REQUIREMENTS: 5 Star
HEAT SENSITIVITY: 5 Star
VOCALITY 5 Star
Briquet Griffon Vendeen Characteristics:
- Dog Breed Group: Companion Dogs
- Height: Male: 19–22 inches (49–56 cm) Female: 19–21 inches (47–54 cm)
- Weight: 48-53 pounds (21.8–24.1 kg)
- Life Span: 10 to 12 years
- Type: Purebred
- AREA OF ORIGIN: France
- DATE OF ORIGIN: 1600s
- OTHER NAMES: None
- Temperament: Courageous, Dominant, Independent, Passionate
- Activities: Agility, Obedience
- Color: Fawn, Black & Tan, Gray & White, Light Brown, Orange & White, Tri-color
- Litter Size: 4 to 6 puppies
- Puppy Prices: Between $1000 and $1200 USD on average
Briquet Griffon Vendeen Health:
Typically considered to be a healthy breed, the fact that these dogs were primarily utilized for work in the past likely helped them maintain their health.
However, there are a few conditions worth highlighting, including the following:
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is what is referred to as a ‘exclusion diagnosis,’ which means that if a dog develops seizures and no underlying reason is discovered, they are said to have epilepsy. While seizures can be extremely traumatic for owners to witness, they rarely linger for an extended period of time and rarely have any permanent effects. A seizing dog should be left alone in a dark, quiet place, and owners should avoid approaching their mouth, as they may bite someone who approaches them unintentionally.
There are drugs available to stop the fit, and the majority of owners of epileptic dogs will have them on hand for emergency use. Although small seizures may not warrant the use of medicine to prevent them, many epileptic dogs are handled successfully with daily tablets
External Otitis
Ear infections are a frequent occurrence in the majority of dogs whose ears do not stand straight. Due to insufficient airflow and the possibility of water and debris becoming stuck within the canal, the ears of the Briquet Griffon Vendéen can host an abundance of bacteria and yeast.
Hypothyroidism
Underactive thyroid is more prevalent in middle-aged to senior canines. Owners may discover their pet has slowed down,lost muscle mass, gained fat, developed skin condition, or has dull fur. A blood test can confirm the diagnosis, and the illness can be effectively controlled with medication. Blood tests should be performed on a regular basis to confirm that the drug dose is correct.
Allergies
Allergies are one of the most often treated conditions by veterinarians, regardless of breed. Dogs may be allergic to certain foods (such as chicken, wheat, or peas) or to toxins in their environment (such as house dust mites or ryegrass). While allergies can occur at virtually any age, they are most frequently diagnosed in young adult dogs.
Briquet Griffon Vendéen dogs that are affected may experience extreme itching, develop red, inflamed skin, and may also experience vomiting and diarrhea. When an allergy cannot be avoided, the majority of animals will be treated medically. Allergic disease can be extremely challenging to effectively diagnose and manage, and it is frequently a lifetime problem.
Briquet Griffon Vendeen Grooming:
For those looking for a perfectly groomed dog with never a hair out of place, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen is not the breed for them.
This dog’s wiry hair is intended to appear untidy, even after grooming. They require a decent brushing once or twice a week to avoid matt formation.
A wire brush should be used to brush through the heavy double coat.
Dogs employed for hunting should be checked for sticking burrs or other debris that might become lodged in their fur after prolonged exposure to the elements.
Certain owners may find that they must clip excessive face hair if it is causing the dog problems.
The ears of the Briquet Griffon Vendéen will undoubtedly require lifelong care to be healthy.
As is the case with many similar breeds, this breed’s drooping ears predispose it to developing ear infections if not cleaned regularly.
Briquet Griffon Vendeen Exercise:
As an animal that genuinely enjoys its work, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen should be allowed to track and hunt wherever possible.
Not only will this allow them to express their natural behavior and feel a sense of success, but it will also keep them stimulated and provide them with a significant amount of exercise.
This dog enjoys being outdoors and should be allowed time off the lead to explore and smell trail.
A large house on a large piece of land would be ideal, yet the land must be properly gated to prevent the Briquet Griffon Vendéen from traveling great distances in search of a seductive scent.
If the breed’s exercise requirements are not met, it is very uncommon for them to develop into disagreeable pets, digging up your garden, barking incessantly, and behaving hyper in the house.
Briquet Griffon Vendeen Training:
Because the Briquet Griffon Vendeen was intended as a hunting breed, it does exhibit some independence, which must be addressed through early socialization and training.
This breed is notoriously difficult to train, which is one of the reasons it is suggested for experienced dog owners only.
Positive reinforcement training methods are recommended for this breed, and you must establish a firm and consistent leadership position with the dog.
This breed thrives when trained for hunting or other dog sports, and they can be trained to work alone or in a pack.
Briquet Griffon Vendeen Food and Nutrition:
As a well-known medium-sized breed, the Briquet Griffon Vendeen should be fed a high-quality commercial dog food diet specifically intended for medium-sized dogs.
Due to the breed’s high level of activity and energy, it may demand an active or working breed formula – even more so if your dog is trained for hunting or other dog sports.
Briquet Griffon Vendeen Temperament and Personality:
Briquet Griffon Vendéens are famous for their outgoing and amiable attitudes, which, combined with their appealing appearance, contribute to their increasing popularity as companion dogs rather than traditional hunters.
They make excellent family dogs in general since they get along well with other dogs and people (strangers and children included), but have an innate sense of danger, making them far better protection dogs than the majority of other French scent hounds.
While they are innately attentive to possible prey or anything that disturbs them, they are not known to be excessive barkers, another good distinction from many of their hunting relatives. By comparison, they do have one significant flaw: tenacity.
While many scent hounds are relatively easy to teach, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen’s high intelligence, intrepid personality, and strong-willed character can make them a real nuisance to train, and they have even been known to disregard directions once completely trained, since they prefer to make their own judgments.
These canines also require a lot of exercise and, if not given enough, can grow restless and prone to misbehaving.
Despite these flaws, they make excellent friends and hunters when properly socialized and taught, since they are dedicated, loyal, affectionate, and joyful dogs who thrive on attention and family participation.
Briquet Griffon Vendeen Care/Upkeep:
Despite their independence, Briquet Griffon Vendéens require extensive assistance from their owners in the maintenance sector.
Their exterior coat is long and wiry, and it has a proclivity for picking up dirt, mud, burrs, and other natural things that they may encounter while hunting or simply playing in the yard or park.
While it is not recommended to trim their coats, they require frequent brushing with a wire brush and comb to keep them clean and clear of tangles or matting.
They shed very little to moderately, and routine maintenance brushing should help maintain this to a minimum.
They do not require routine bathing, but owners should maintain their overall cleanliness and wash them as needed with a dog-specific shampoo if they become entangled in anything or develop an unpleasant odor that brushing could not resolve.
Additionally, their ears should be checked routinely since their wiry, folded ears are prone to moisture buildup, which can result in ear infections.
Owners should check their nails regularly to ensure they are either naturally worn down or in need of trimming to avoid cracking or breaking.
Additionally, their teeth should be brushed frequently to assist maintain good dental health.
While Briquet Griffon Vendéens are not exceptionally muscular, their hunting heritage has endowed them with near-limitless stamina, which means they require a large amount of daily exercise to tire themselves out.
They often thrive in busy households that can provide numerous rounds of exercise each day or engage them in lengthy, exhausting activities.
Due to their great intelligence, they require more than a good run to completely tire themselves, which is why they enjoy activities that require both mental and physical endurance, such as fetch, agility training, and sports.
If their training has gone well, some owners will even teach them to search out specific scents in order to hunt for items such as herbs – the longer and more intense the hunt, the better, since they thrive on having a job.
To keep them healthy and happy, it’s safe to predict they’ll require at least 18 miles of walking per week, or approximately an hour per day.
Briquet Griffon Vendeen Relationship with Children and Other Pets
As a pack dog, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen gets along well with other dogs.
Simply exercise caution when around cats or other small animals; while the Briquet Griffon Vendéen can be socialized to get along with other pets, they are natural hunters.
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen is a devoted and docile breed, making it an excellent choice for families with children.
Briquet Griffon Vendeen Names
| ank | Boy Names | Girl Names |
| 01 | Buddy | Molly |
| 02 | Max | Sasha |
| 03 | Charlie | Coco |
| 04 | Jack | Luna |
| 05 | Bear | Annie |
| 06 | Tucker | Ellie |
| 07 | Riley | Roxie |
| 08 | Oscar | Stella |
| 09 | Louie | Lulu |
| 10 | Henry | Callie |
All About Briquet Griffon Vendeen
In French, briquet means “medium-sized dog,” and this is the only breed that retains that name. Before the First World War, the Briquet Griffon Vendeen was bred smaller than the Grand Griffon Vendeen.
They are utilized in packs to hunt roe deer, wild boar, and small game. The United Kennel Club recognized the Briquet Griffon Vendeen on January 1, 1996.
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen has a stubby double coat, a short head, low-set ears, and bushy ears.
It is available in a variety of colors, including fawn, light brown, white and orange, white and gray, and even tri-colored.
They are about 20 and 22 inches tall at the withers. They weigh between 48 and 53 pounds.
The Briquet is a fearless hunter that possesses stamina and bravery. It should be capable of detecting both cold and hot trails.
The Briquet, like its near relatives the other vendeen hounds, enjoys spending time outdoors with its family. They are not high-strung dogs, but they are vibrant and enthusiastic.
They get along well with other dogs and are not overly protective about anything. They make excellent children’s companions.
Griffons are not fond of being told what to do. They are not offended by being cajoled, bribed, or played with—and as long as these actions result in their owner liking anything, everyone is satisfied.
Briquet Griffon Vendeen History:
While the majority of people are more familiar with the larger Grand Griffon Vendéen or the smaller Basset Griffon Vendéen, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen is the medium-sized version of the three that originates in western France’s Vendée region.
This breed is descended straight from the Grand Griffon Vendéen, since breeders selectively bred the Grand Griffon Vendéen’s tiniest dogs to create an entirely new French breed.
It is very likely that other hunting dogs were incorporated into the mix, however documentation for this is sparse.
Traditionally used for hunting, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen was developed to aid hunters in following smaller animals such as rabbits and hare rather than larger game such as deer, for which the Grand Griffon Vendéen was better suited. This practice originated in France in the 1600s.
As is true of a large number of dog breeds, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen’s population size was significantly reduced during World Wars I and II, and their numbers plummeted dangerously low.
Even now, this dog is an uncommon find outside of France, where it is rarely, if ever, seen.
The UKC recognized the Briquet Griffon Vendéen as a scent hound in 1996, and it is now employed as a hunting dog as well as a household companion.
Where to Adopt Briquet Griffon Vendeen:
Due to their mixed breed status, it may be difficult to locate a breed-specific rescue for Briquet Griffon Vendeen.
However, you may wish to contact breed-specific rescues such as Boxer or Rottweiler, as they frequently care for mixed breeds as well.
More Dog Breeds and Further Research:
If you want to adopt or buy a similar breed, you might want to readt articles and consider these following breeds:
Briquet Griffon Vendeen Fun Facts:
- They have expressive faces thanks to their dark eyes and bushy eyebrows.
- They are not at all suited to apartment life.
- This breed directly descends from the Grand Griffon Vendéen
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Unfortunately, Briquet Griffon Vendeen is not a good choice for allergy sufferers.
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.