Let's talk Briquet Griffon Vendéens
Maybe it’s the curly hair or their compact size but the Briquet Griffon Vendéen ticks all the "good looking dog" boxes. Not only attractive, their personality is right up there on the roster of great traits. Lesser known than the other four Griffon varieties and the medium-sized of the lot, the breed is smaller than their canine cousins but is no less outgoing and energetic. A French scent hound, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen is very independent and super smart. However, as a top-notch family dog, they have no problem offering affection to everyone in the pack.Official name: Briquet Griffon Vendéen
Other names: Medium Vendéen Griffon
Origins: France
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Warm weather? | 
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Suited to apartment living? |
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| Energy level (high, low, medium) *: | High | Family pet?* |
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Can stay alone?* |  |
* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.
Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed’s specifics should be taken as an indication.
For a happy, healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socialising your pet as well as covering their basic welfare, social and behavioural needs.
Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.
All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.
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50 - 55 cm
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28 - 30 kg
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48 - 53 cm
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28 - 30 kg
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| Baby age: | Birth to 2 months |
| Puppy age: | 2 to 12 months |
| Adult age: | 1 to 7 years |
| Mature age: | 7 to 12 years |
| Senior age: | From from 12 years |
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Get to know the Briquet Griffon Vendéen
All you need to know about the breed
A compelling name is only the beginning of the Briquet Griffon Vendéen’s winning attributes. Known as easygoing and extroverted, they’re a great family dog, and do well with children—once trained to be around them, of course. The breed is the quintessential pack animal, one who savors his time with humans and fellow family pets.
While the Briquet Griffon Vendéen is gentle, they’re also energetic and full of stamina. A vivacious dog like this needs lots of daily activity. Active owners, look no further, this is a dog who likes to get out and about, too. At least an hour of walking a day is best, and the Briquet Griffon Vendéen will enjoy every minute of it with their upbeat attitude. More? Even better.
As for living arrangements, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen can adapt to a suburban or urban environment as long as they’re allowed to stretch their legs. They’ve almost always been in a pastoral setting, but city dwellers looking for a merry breed could look to the Briquet Griffon Vendéen as well.
Never let it be said that this breed won’t take matters into their own paws. They’re great with initiative but watch for obstinance if their strong will gets the better of them. Give your Briquet Griffon Vendéen a task to do, and all will be right with their world.
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2 facts about Briquet Griffon Vendéens
1. Tired yet?
Their beginnings as a sporting breed mean the Briquet Griffon Vendéen has a fairly non-stop endurance. Even active owners may get tired before they do! If you’re so inclined, enroll your Briquet Griffon Vendéen in competitions like agility trials, and take them along on any sport you participate in, particularly jogging or running. This breed will go the distance!
2. Led by their nose
As a scent hound, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen has been graced with a high acuity for sniffing things out. The attribute is most helpful in field or sporting experiences, but in daily life, it could prove hazardous and cause them to wander off after anything that wafts by. Teach your Briquet Griffon Vendéen recall from an early age so they’re less inclined to keep going if they do follow their nose.
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History of the breed
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen breed has its origins in France where breeders started in earnest to fashion a smaller version of the Grand Griffon Vendéen breed starting in the mid-17th century. It was just after the turn of the 20th century however that breeders pushed to develop a more compact size of the larger dog, a unique French sport breed who was just as athletic, and with the same amount of endurance, and an agreeable temperament. The Briquet Griffon Vendéen was born.
As with many breeds, the dog’s numbers were clobbered after both World Wars – almost extinct – but fans of the Briquet Griffon Vendéen breed made sure they endured in the years after. They remain common in France and central Europe, but less so in other countries.
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen was recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1954 and by the United Kennel Club in 1996.
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From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Briquet Griffon Vendéens
1. Ears
Low-set ears, medium thickness, pointed ends, covered in long hair.
2. Coat
Bushy somewhat rough double coat.
3. Body
Medium-sized compact body, robust.
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Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Briquet Griffon Vendéen
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Caring for your Briquet Griffon Vendéen
Grooming, training and exercise tips
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen has a unique mix of wiry and coarse yet soft fur composing their double coat. Weekly brushing with a wire brush or long comb will eliminate the dead hair and keep them looking sharp. Ears and eyes should be checked for debris, and teeth cleaned regularly, daily if they will let you. As a super active breed, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen will naturally wear down their nails, but they should be trimmed regularly if necessary.
A sporting breed which is still well-utilised for such, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen is used to getting a lot of exercise. Their smaller size means they can adjust to city life – if walks are a regular thing – but a rural environment where they can run to their heart’s content suits them best. Training your Briquet Griffon Vendéen is most beneficial if done from a very early age. As a gentle dog, they will easily learn commands but care should be taken to reinforce them since they can at times be quite determined. A desire to please their humans will go a long way toward you and your Briquet Griffon Vendéen seeing eye-to-eye.
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All about Briquet Griffon Vendéens
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen makes a great pet for families, couples and singles alike. Medium in size and sweet-tempered, the dog is a fit for many—but an active owner who likes the same in a dog is the best fit of all. One factor to note: The Briquet Griffon Vendéen is very accepting of strangers, so a guard dog they are not.
Although traditionally raised in a rural environment, and thus used to all the activity that can bring, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen could fit into a less-rural setting if given the space they need to roam around. The Briquet Griffon Vendéen is used to lots of exercise so getting out and about as much as possible will keep this contented breed in good stead.
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Read more on this topic
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Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book
5 - American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/