In this article
View 8 More +Briquet Griffon Vendeen is a medium-sized dog with a coarse, wiry coat. This breed excels at hunting small game like rabbits. Originating from France, this breed usually stands a little over 20 inches tall and weighs about 50 pounds. Its wiry coat is usually brown, orange, or grey, often with white mixed in, but it can also be a solid color.
Breed Overview
Height:
20 – 22 inches
Weight:
49 – 53 pounds
Lifespan:
10 – 12 years
Colors:
Fawn, light brown, orange, grey, white
Suitable for:
Active families, large homes, yards
Temperament:
Alert, active, enthusiastic
It also has an undercoat to protect it from water. It has floppy ears and a short bushy tail. The eyes are dark and round, giving the dog an expressive face.
Read on to learn everything there is to know about the Briquet Griffon Vendeen.
Briquet Griffon Vendeen Characteristics
Briquet Griffon Vendeen Puppies
There are no long waiting lists for this type of pup in most cases, so you can put an order in and get it relatively quickly at a fair price. Good breeders may run extra tests to ensure your dog’s good health, which can increase the cost, and you may need to travel a long distance to pick up your new puppy.
You will also need to pay for other things like veterinary visits, vaccinations, and plenty of ongoing expenses, like food, treats, toys, and more. These dogs aren’t large, so they won’t eat much, but costs can still add up over the lifetime of your dog—so keep this in mind before you walk away with a new Briquet.
These active pups thrive best when matched with an equally active family. It also helps if you have a nice sized yard.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Briquet Griffon Vendeen 🧠
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is enthusiastic and cheerful. It’s always ready to work or play and loves to entertain its owners and family members. It can get stubborn and even a bit mouthy from time to time, but it is generally a loving breed that loves to spend time snuggling on the couch with its owners. It’s also extremely intelligent and will learn new tricks quickly if you can keep it focused. It often has a one-track mind for chasing after small animals.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is a good family dog that will provide plenty of entertainment for the entire family. It’s got plenty of energy for games, walks, and more but will still curl up by your feet at the end of the day. It’s not a big barker but will let you know if an intruder is nearby. It rarely breaks housetraining and has a long lifespan with few health problems.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽
Yes, the Briquet Griffon Vendeen gets along well with most other dog breeds as long as they are not aggressors and will cohabitate peacefully with cats. It’s also well behaved on walks, especially if you socialize it early with other pets, so it gets used to having other animals around. However, it tends to chase after smaller animals like rabbits, so it shouldn’t cohabitate with rodents.
Things to Know When Owning a Briquet Griffon Vendeen
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen will need high-quality food that contains plenty of protein. Brands with real meat like turkey or chicken are better than brands that use meat by-products or meat meals. Foods that contain omega fats will also benefit your dog because they will produce a shiny coat and reduce inflammation. Dry kibble is better than wet food because it will help scrape away tartar as your dog chews. Pay close attention to the feeding instructions on the package so you don’t give your dog too much, which could lead to weight gain and obesity.
Exercise 🐕
Your Briquet Griffon Vendeen is a very active dog that will get plenty of exercise running around your home. If you have small children to keep it busy, you won’t have to put much time aside for walks or play. However, if you have a small family and work all day, you may need to set aside at least 30 minutes a day to keep your pet healthy and happy. Keeping your dog active can also be a great way to get them to relax more at night so they don’t keep you up.
Training 🎾
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is a smart dog, but it can be difficult to train because it is hard to keep it focused, and it tends to wander off. We recommend setting a few minutes aside each night to train your dog. The best time is after a walk when your pup is a little tired and it will be easier for you to keep its attention. When you have its attention, repeat a command while motioning what you want it to do. If it follows your order, give it a treat and some praise and start again. It may take several tries to lock the command to memory, but you will be successful if you are patient.
Grooming ✂️
The long and wiry coat of the Briquet Griffon Vendeen tends to pick up a lot of dirt, and it also sheds quite a bit, so you will need to frequently brush these dogs to keep them looking neat and prevent the hair from tangling. You will not need to trim the hair, but an occasional bath with a pet-safe shampoo may be in order every few months. If your dog allows it, you can also manually brush the teeth with a pet-safe toothpaste to slow the progression of dental disease. If you hear the nails clicking on the floor, you will need to trim them as well, so your dog doesn’t have difficulty walking.
Health and Conditions ❤️
- Skin Allergies
Your Briquet Griffon Vendeen has sensitive skin and is prone to allergies. Symptoms include dry, flaky skin that is often itchy. Constant scratching is not only annoying to your dog, but it causes them to shed more, releasing more hair and allergy-causing dander into the air. Foods containing omega fats can help keep the skin healthy, but if you notice a problem developing, we recommend taking your dog to the vet for the proper medication.
- Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common problem in many breeds and results from the hip socket not forming correctly, causing the bones to wear out prematurely. As the joint wears out, it can become difficult for your dog to support its weight. It will struggle to get up and may walk with a strange bunny hop gait. The condition progresses faster in large breeds and exceptionally active breeds, like the Briquet Griffon Vendeen. Weight control and medication are common ways to manage hip dysplasia.
Male vs Female
The males stand slightly taller and heavier than the females and are slightly easier to train because they are a little more laid back and enjoy treats more. The females are smaller but more devoted to the hunt and will often tirelessly track animals around your yard. Since you are usually interrupting them, females can also be a little barkier than males.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Briquet Griffon Vendeen
1. The Briquet Griffon Vendeen Dates Back to the 1600s
2. The Briquet Griffon Vendeen Is the Least Well-Known of Four Griffon Vendeen Varieties
3. The Briquet Griffon Vendeen Is Still Used as a Hunting Dog Today
Conclusion
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen makes a fantastic family pet for large families that can help keep them entertained. It might be a bit of a handful for a single person with a job away from home because it will be difficult to devote enough time to exercise. These dogs are extremely playful and enjoy clowning around, especially with children, and they have long lifespans with very few health problems. You will need to do frequent brushing, but it’s a great time for bonding, and your dog will get into the routine and look forward to your time together.
We hope you have enjoyed this guide and learned some new and interesting facts about this lesser-known breed. If we have convinced you to get one for your home, please share this guide to the Briquet Griffon Vendeen on Facebook and Twitter.
See Also:
- Bullmatian | Mixed Breed Info, Pictures & More!
- Appenzeller Sennenhunde | Complete Breed Guide (with Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Ian Dyball, Shutterstock
