Origin
The long history of the Briquet Griffon Vendeen (a breed of hunting dogs) can be traced back to the 18th century. It is one of the four rough-coated breeds from the west coast of France in the La Vendee region.
Other than the Briquet Griffon Vendeen, the other 3 include: Briquet, Grand Griffon Vendeen, Basset Griffon Vendeen, and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.
Since the 1600s, early fanciers decided to shrink the Grand Griffon Vendeen. To do that, they bred the smallest samples of the breed and possibly mixed in other smaller French hunting breeds as well.
The Comte d’Elva was very influential in the creation of the breed. The end product closely resembles the Grand Griffon Vendeen but is smaller. From then on, the Briquets were used for hunting hare and other small game.
Unfortunately, the Briquet Griffon Vendeen almost vanished during World War II, but due to the efforts of a French dog fancier named Hugh Dezamy, the breed was saved from extinction.
Today, while the Briquet Griffon Vendeen has become very popular as a hunting, show, and companion dog, the breed is still considered to be uncommon outside of Europe.
Traits and Behavior
Generally, Briquet Griffon Vendéens are valued for their intelligence, toughness and endurance. Owning this type of dog means having a companion who is very loving, lively, playful, easygoing yet subdued at times. They can also become stubborn, willful and mischievous. Due to their instincts, there are tendencies that they will wander outside the house.
Briquet Griffon Vendéens are quiet compared to most dogs but they do like to howl and dig. The Briquet is a passionate hunter with stamina and fortitude.
This breed should be supervised around unfamiliar small animals, as they have a strong prey instinct which often leads them to chase smaller animals, such as rabbits, squirrels, and cats.
But this doesn’t mean that they are not good with small animals. Some of them have been raised together with kittens.
Bred to work in packs as well as on their own, they get along well with other dogs and are not overly possessive about anything. They are also a fine companion for children.
Pet Care and Diseases
The majority of the Briquet Griffon Vendéens are considered strong and very healthy. However, the following health concerns have been reported:
- PBGV Pain Syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Lens luxation
- Allergies
- Inguinal and Umbilical Hernias
- Patellar Luxation
- Hip Dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Persistent Pupillary Membranes (PPM)
- Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia
Briquet Griffon Vendéens suffer in hot climates due to their thick coat, so make sure that they are always provided with proper shade and plenty of clean cool water.
Also, its coat sheds dirt readily so it rarely needs bathing (just dry shampoo occasionally). Furthermore, this dog is clean and odorless.
Briquet Griffon Vendéens can both do well in a large family and a single person’s home. These dogs are not fit to live in the apartment or the city, as they need constant motion. They are fairly active indoors and should have at least a large yard.
If you live in a suburban area, a high fence is a must. They come in packs, though not necessary, owning other dogs will make them feel at home.
If you don’t have a lot of time to spend with a dog, a Briquet Griffon Vendéen will not be the breed for you.
Appearance
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is a medium-sized breed that has a distinct body structure that is angular and muscular.
They have a lively outlook and a naturally friendly expression.
These dogs stand tall and proud, around 20-22 inches at the withers and weigh between 48-53 pounds. It has a small head with low-set dropping ears on the sides, covered with long hair.
The eyes are prominent, dark and expressive while the snout is firm and long. Its tail is usually docked.
The breed’s coat is one of its distinguishing characteristic – soft and notably shaggy. There are many varieties of colors: solid or mixed colors, fawn, light brown, white and orange, white and gray and even tri-colored.
General Information
The breed is expected to live for 12-15 years. A litter may consist of 4-7 puppies. The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is also known as the Medium Vendeen Griffon.
Breed Club
Visit this dog club website dedicated to Briquet Griffon Vendéen. Click this link: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/petit-basset-griffon-vendeen/