Intro/Overview
(All dogs are individuals, which means any single dog from any breed can be any number of ways, both good and not so good. Keep that in mind as we discuss breed generalities!)
Never heard of the Briquet Griffon Vendéen? You’re not alone. Because this breed is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen is less well-known in North America than in Europe (and especially in France, its country of origin).
But if you don’t get to know this breed, you’re missing out. The Briquet Griffon Vendéen is celebrated for its passion for hunting, impressive stamina, and lively, engaging personality. If you want a dog that’s equal parts hunting dog and companion dog, this is a breed you’re definitely going to want to get to know.
Let’s pull back the curtain take a deep dive into everything you’d want to know about the Briquet Griffon Vendéen, from origins to personality, energy levels to health, and just about everything in between:
Also Known As…
Briquet is the French word for medium—so you may hear this breed referred to as the Medium Griffon Vendéen.
Origins
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen is a French hunting dog whose origins date back to before World War I. Prior to the war, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen was bred down from its larger ancestor the Grand Griffon Vendéen, to hunt smaller animals (like rabbits and other small game).
Fun fact: the Briquet Griffon Vendéen is the only dog breed to retain briquet (which, again, translates to “medium”) in its breed name.
Size
Because briquet literally means “medium” in French, it would only make sense that the Briquet Griffon Vendéen is a medium-sized dog. The average height for a female Briquet Griffon Vendéen is between 19 and 21 inches while males are slightly taller, with an average height of between 20 and 22 inches.
Weight Range
The average weight for Briquet Griffon Vendéen is between 48 to 53 lbs, with males typically weighing in slightly heavier (which makes sense—the taller the dog, the more it’s bound to weigh!).
Personality
There are two different sides to the Briquet Griffon Vendéen’s personality. On the one hand, this breed is a tireless hunting dog. They have stamina, focus, and make for excellent working dogs.
On the other hand, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen is also a loving, energetic, and loyal companion dog. There’s nothing they love more than spending time with their humans (especially if it’s outside!), which also makes them an excellent choice for a family dog.
Intelligence / Trainability
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen is extremely intelligent—and because it was bred to hunt, it’s also used to working with humans and following commands. That makes for a breed that’s fairly easy to train—as long as you know what you’re doing.
Want to get the most out of training your Briquet Griffon Vendéen? Here are a few tips to keep in mind during the training process:
- Use positive reinforcement. The Briquet Griffon Vendéen is an extremely loyal breed that’s always eager to please their human. So, if you want to effectively train them, let them know when they’re pleasing you! When your Briquet Griffon Vendéen follows a command, praise, treats, and other positive feedback is a great way to reinforce the behavior.
- Engage their nose. The Briquet Griffon Vendéen has an incredibly nose and can easily catch scents. Not only does it come naturally to them, but they also love it—so if you can work chasing a scent into the training process, they’re going to be more engaged (and, ultimately, more successful).
- Make it challenging. Again, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen is an intelligent breed—and if training isn’t challenging enough, they may get bored. If you want to get the most out of training your Briquet Griffon Vendée, make sure the training process is challenging and engaging.
Ideal Environment
As mentioned, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen—and in order to feel their happiest, they need ample opportunities to use those hunting instincts and “follow their nose.” A home with a fenced-in area where they can sniff around, explore, and work out those natural hunting instincts is the ideal environment for this pup.
Also, as a hunting breed, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen has plenty of energy—so they also need to be in a home where their owners will take them on long daily walks.
Good For Families And Kids?
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen is a loyal, patient breed—so if you have children, this could be a great dog for you.
Average lifespan
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen is, overall, a healthy breed with a fairly long lifespan. The average lifespan for a Briquet Griffon Vendéen is between 10 and 12 years.
Health
As mentioned, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen is an overall healthy breed. But, just like all dogs, there are a few health issues associated with the breed that you’ll want to keep an eye out for.
Some of the most common health issues known to affect the Briquet Griffon Vendéen include hip dysplasia, glaucoma, and patellar luxation. Also, this breed is prone to ear infections, so make sure to get your Briquet Griffon Vendéen’s ears checked regularly by the vet.
Energy
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen was bred for hunting. And because hunting requires a lot of energy, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen is typically a high-energy breed. If you live an active lifestyle, spend plenty of time outside, and are looking for a companion dog to accompany you on your many outdoor adventures (like hikes), the Briquet Griffon Vendéen would be a great fit for you.
In addition to taking your Briquet Griffon Vendéen on plenty of outdoor adventures, they’ll also need daily exercise to feel their happiest and healthiest. Plan for long daily walks, backyard play time, and trips to the dog park.
Friendly with…(Dogs? Strangers? Cats/Other Pets?)
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen was bred as a pack dog—and, as such, they get along great with other dogs. Just be careful with cats or other small animals; while the Briquet Griffon Vendéen can certainly be socialized to get along with other pets, they’re natural hunters
Coat & Grooming
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen has a bushy, wiry double coat that needs to be brushed on a regular basis (at least a few times a week). This breed also benefits from the occasional bath (more often if its spending a ton of time outside in the dirt and mud!) and regular grooming maintenance (like ear cleaning and nail trims).
Toys Briquet Griffon Vendéens Would Like Best
Briquet Griffon Vendéens are a high intelligence and high energy breed—both of which make for a dog that loves to play!
If you want to keep your Briquet Griffon Vendéen feeling happy, health, and engaged, regular playtime with the right toys is a must. Some toys you’ll definitely want to consider getting for your Briquet Griffon Vendéen include:
- Fetch Toys. The Briquet Griffon Vendéen is a hunting dogs—which means they have a natural instinct to chase. Engage that natural instinct to chase with a good, old-fashioned game of fetch—with the perfect fetch toy, of course!
- Tug Toys. The Briquet Griffon Vendéen is a high energy dog that loves to be outside. But if weather keeps you indoors, a tug toy can be a great way to work off some of that excess energy, tire out your Briquet Griffon Vendéen, and have a little fun in the process!
- Thinker Toys. As mentioned, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen is a smart pup—so mental stimulation is a must. Thinker toys are a great way to keep engage their brain (plus, they’ll love sniffing out the treat hidden inside!).
Recommended Diet Or Supplements
Like every dog breed, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen is going to feel like their best, happiest, and healthiest self when they’re fed a diet of high-quality food that’s free from any unnatural ingredients, fillers, or preservatives. Also, because this is an active breed, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen might have higher food requirements than a more sedentary dog, especially after a long day of activity—so make sure to feed them accordingly.
As your Briquet Griffon Vendée gets older, you may also want to supplement his diet with dietary supplements to support their overall health and well-being throughout the aging process.
Glucosamine Supplement For Hip & Joints
These veterinarian-formulated supplements are made with all natural glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid, all packed into a delicious soft chew. ($32.99.)
Fish Oil Skin & Coat Supplement
These delicious, vet-formulated chews are made with all-natural ingredients including Omega 3, 6, 9, and Vitamin E. They are designed to support immune health, provide relief from itchy allergic skin, and promote a healthy coat. ($19.99)
Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil
BARK’s Full Spectrum Hemp Oil is made of organically grown whole plants, grown in Colorado, and is non-psychoactive. It comes in 100mg, 250mg, and 500mg varieties, and can help with pet anxiety and pain relief. ($17.99-22.99.)
Recommended Products
GSDs, just like any dog, love to take a load off after a long day of…running around for hours on end or whatever they’re doing. That’s why they deserve their own bed, especially if they have joint issues.
Orthopedic Ultra Plush Memory Foam Dog Bed
This ultra plush orthopedic dog bed provides support for even the most active of dogs! The combination ergonomic memory foam and gel foam relieves pressure points, and helps ease body aches caused by hip dysplasia, arthritis and other orthopedic issues. ($27.99-64.99.)
Notable Rescues To Find The Briquet Griffon Vendéen Of Your Dreams
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen might not be the most well-known breed in the US (yet!), but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of these pups out there in need of a loving, stable home. So, if you’re thinking about adding a Briquet Griffon Vendéen to your family, don’t go to a breed—go to a rescue.
If you’re ready to bring home this amazing breed, you can find Briquet Griffon Vendéens that are ready and available for adoption through Rescue Me, Pet Adoptions by Overstock, or Adopt-a-Pet.
Notable Instagram Briquet Griffon Vendéens
When it comes to the Briquet Griffon Vendéen, the more you know about this breed, the more you love it. So why not learn more (and get a serious dose of cute in the process) by infusing some Briquet Griffon Vendéens into your social feed?
If you want to transform your feed into all Briquet Griffon Vendéens, all the time, here are the Instagram accounts you need to follow ASAP:
@rinusthedoggo
@finnthegriffon
@mickmoet
@zaniro89
***Looking for a gift to blow your Briquet Griffon’s mind? Spoil them with BarkBox! Every month BarkBox delivers 2 original toys, designed in-house, 2 full bags of all-natural treats, and a chew. Sign up here and receive a free extra toy every month. <– This deal is worth up to $120 in value if you sign up for a 12-month subscription! 🙂
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