The Briquet Griffon Vendeen adapts to city life very easily and will fit into an urban environment at a very early age. These dogs make good apartment dogs and fare well in small houses or households. They do not need to be chained up all day, as they require a steady amount of exercise to stay healthy, alert, and attentive. They enjoy staying in a kennel but will require some freedom to roam on occasion. These dogs can become particularly destructive if they are housebound for extended periods of time. They are compact, vivacious, and bold and constantly seeking adventure. As a result, they can become depressed or listless if they are not given an appropriate amount of attention.
Description
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is a medium-sized dog with a notable shaggy white coat. "Briquet" translates to medium-sized and the Vendeen Griffon is a pouplar companion dog throughout Europe. It is a harmonious and level-headed dog that is distinguished from other sizes because of its rather stocky construction. The Briquet Griffon Vendeen first appeared mostly in France at around 1946 after several wars that lost the breed in the European dog circles temporarily. The dog has been used as a team dog for hunting wild boar, and a team of Briquets won the trophy of France on roe deer in 1995.
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is a very receptive and sensitive dog. It is stocky but well proportioned with a firm snout and long, dropping ears on the sides of its head. The head is medium-sized and the dog has a medium sized snout. The tail is short and will stick straight out when the dog is alert, anxious, or happy. This dog stands tall and confident, and has medium legs in proportion to its overall height and length. This light dog is often used for hunting small deer and there are two main sizes of the species. A rough coat and compact structure define these hounds, and they have a lively bearing and outlook. They have large, dark, and expressive eyes that show very little white; they also have a naturally friendly and intelligent expression. The ears are supple and narrow, and covered with long hair. The mouth has a scissor bite that is level and consistent.
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is a happy hound, is very willing to please and rarely aggressive. In the early days in Britain, the dog was simply coined "The Happy Breed." The dog has often been considered to be a working breed, with a lot of patience and is very secure. It needs its space but will be a very valuable companion.
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen has a thick and bushy double coat that is wiry to the touch. The outer coat is harsh and wiry; it may look as if it has an un-kempt or disheveled appearance but this is easily restored with the use of a paddle brush. The undercoat is soft and dense, providing warmth from the cooler climates that the dog was once used to. The hair is longer over the eyes and muzzle, and the dog has bushy eyebrows and a distinctive moustache. The coat color can range from white and orange, white and black, tricolored, and shades of orange and brown. Most of these colors are accepted by all breed clubs (see specific colors below).
History
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen originates from France, and is a descendant of the Vendeen hounds of the Gris de St. Louis. The World War II era eliminated many lines of this dog and they are still relatively unknown in France. The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is one of four rough-coated breeds from the west coast of France, mostly in the Vendee region. The Vendeen Hounds of Gris de St. Louis may have been the earliest ancestors of all four varieties.
In France, the dog was bred down in size by the Comte d'Elva from the Grand Griffon Vendeen, a dog of similar construction but much larger in height and structure. It was a direct descendent of the Canis Segusius used by the Gauls. Many royal family members used the dog as a French show dog where it was restored, and now stands today. Although it is a rare breed, it continues to attract admirers from around the world. It is important to remember that these dogs were developed to hunt small game by scent, and are quite capable of hunting in different types of weather and climates. They are a hardy but friendly breed and will display their skills in a loving environment.
Temperament
Very intelligent with a strong work ethic, the Briquet Griffon Vendeen is a valuable addition to any family or working team of dogs. They are energetic, alert, and attentive and will enjoy a variety of actvities with companion dogs and owners. They are most comfortable with plenty of exercise and will need to be taken out for activities at least once per day.
These dogs enjoy attention and will regularly wag their tails with happiness when they are comfortable and secure. They are particularly patient and will rarely become anxious or bark excessively. Tehse dogs make a fine noise when barking and have a pleasant voice. They are nimble on rough terrain and have been raised to run fast. They hunt with their noses rather than instinct, and thus make excellent hunting dogs. These dogs take inititave and can be trained very easily. They are naturally happy, extroverted, independent, and very willing to please.
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen has considerable stamina and is robust and intelligent. They are self-learners and capable of working with even the most passionate hunters. The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is an obedient dog and will work with his master. These dogs adore affection and will train well with the right amount of positive motivation and feedback. These dogs are direct and decisive, but do have a tendency to be snappy if they are anxious, afraid, or have not received enough rest or attention. It is best to train them with firmness and an appropriate amount of attention on a regular basis. They are very loyal but can become spoiled with excessive attention. Making sure these dogs learn that they are not the master is an important part of the training process.
The dog's character is well received by many families and children. The dogs are small, vivacious, and hardy. They are very active and alert, and are ready fro new activities with their companions and owners. These dogs do not do well with cats or other household pets that they may see as prey. The do well with friendly strangers, but cannot tolerate being alone for extended periods of time.
Health Problems
Generally a quite hardy breed, the Briquet Griffon Vendeen has a few special medical conditions to be aware of:
Collie Eye Anomaly: can cause blindness, but is not a progressive disease
Epilepsy: a neurological seizure disorder. There is no test for this.
Hypothyroidism: dietary imbalances may contribute to this problem
Food and skin Allergies: these dogs are fairly light in weight and attention to their Diet is required
Grooming
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen has a medium/long coat that requires grooming on a regular basis. These dogs have naturally dense and wiry coats that are never wooly. They will need to be brushed with a wide-paddled brush on a regular basis, and this stimulates the skin as well. The dogs are fairly low maintenance, and shedding takes place rarely.
A strong brushing once or twice per week should be enough to maintain the coat and keep it looking shiny. Since the coat is so dense and wiry, it tends to tangle easily and needs to be brushed out. The soft undercoat should be kept clean, and bathing is recommended when the dog has been in the outdoors for an extended period of time. Weekly brushing sessions will remove loose and dead hair, and bathing and drying routines should be conducted only when necessary. The dog often experiences food and skin allergies and these will need to be maintained with the appropriate medication and treatment.
The front legs and tail of the dog need to be scrubbed clean, and the nails trimmed by a professional. Regular visits to the Vet will ensure that the dog does not have any major health problems, and this is especially important during tick season. Running on hard surfaces will cause the nails to become brittle and this is why it becomes so important that they are kept trim and in shape.
Exercise
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen requires regular exercise and they will have a high energy level throughout the day. If they are left alone for extended periods of time they will become restless and bored. The ideal workout for these dogs is a long walk or jog, followed by games played in the park. The Briquet Griffon Vendeen fares well with dog toys such as balls, Frisbees, and other accessories. They are naturally curious and have a steady level of energy for a variety of activities.
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen will exhaust its energy when it has plenty of activities to choose from, and it is in the owner's best interest to engage in a variety of activities such as running and walking on a regular basis. Letting the dog run off a leash is a good idea only in a safe and enclosed environment; these dogs tend to hunt with their noses and may drift off without the appropriate supervision. Physical activity is a priority for these natural hunters, and it is essential that they stay healthy and motivated to engage in actvitieis on a regular basis.
Training
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is a very sensitive dog and can be trained very easily and methodically. It listens attentively to its master and these are dogs that are fairly easy to train by the average person. The Briquet Griffon Vendeen responds well to commands and will make sure that it follows directions. Although these dogs do not always need a task to complete, they do enjoy learning new tricks and skills.
These dogs are intelligent and will respond immediately to directions. The puppy is easiest to train as they are very willing to please. Still, it is important for them to learn that they are not the master and early socialization and obedience training are recommended.
Early socialization will help them interact with other dogs and learn how to be patient and fair with others. They can be taken to a dog park, allowed to mingle with other dogs within a household, or simply be introduced to other puppies in the neighborhood while they are restrained. Making sure they are engaged in positive play will help them enhance their strength and skills, and these dogs make excellent playmates and companions after initial training. Obedience training may take some time, especially if training a dog that may have already reached maturity. However, it is still possible for these dogs to learn as they age, especially when they learn to trust their masters; they will quickly become respectful and obedient after a period of bonding.
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen tends to do this rather quickly and this is one reason why they do well with young children and younger households. Highly energetic and eager to learn, these dogs learn well when they are dealt with fairness, patience, consistency, and reward. They also need ongoing repetition and formulating a training program that accommodates these needs will be most beneficial in the long-term. The training program should begin as early as 10-12 weeks when the puppy is eager to learn and flexible with their actions and behaviors. These dogs respond well to behavioral and obedience training using physical rewards, as well as consistent affection.
These dogs train well in a playful environment and are highly energetic; they need ongoing attention and respond well to positive reinforcement and motivation. The best way to train them is from the puppy stages, making sure they receive enough attention and direction. A steady but firm tone is best for these dogs since they need guidelines and structure.
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Ratings and Attributes
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