Description

When it comes to the Briquet Griffon Vendeen breed of dog, the most outstanding feature noticed is its strong construction. For such a small dog, medium sized really, these gorgeous animals are really very powerful. They are incredibly popular in the European countries of Britain and France and are known for being excellent in the field for hunting boar in teams or winning titles for their expertise at hunting roe deer.

As noted these extremely intelligent dogs are medium sized and have a cute short tail along with strong sturdy legs perfect for its body size. You can expect the Briquet Griffon Vendeen to always stand proud and strong. The face of these dogs are of course very attractive and with their known intelligence, it’s clear from looking in their eyes that they are very smart. They have long ears that droop from the sides of their heads with a determined looking snout. In short, one look at these dogs and you know that this is an animal that means business and is smart enough to take care of it.

Coat Description

One of the most interesting aspects of these dogs are their coats. While they are soft to the touch, their fur also has a wiry texture that simply can’t be missed. It is very thick, hence why brushing is so important. The wiry texture is found primarily on the outside of the coat. Underneath is very soft and designed to provide warmth on winter hunts. The hair on the dog’s face is designed for function as well. Observers will note that the hair over the eyes and muzzle of the dog is longer and looks very distinctive.

White/Orange, White/Gray, Black/Tan, Tricolored, Solid Fawn, Solid Orange, Solid Gray, Solid Light Brown

History

The neat thing about the Briquet Griffon Vendeen breed of dog, okay one of the interesting things, is that this breed is descended from the Grand Griffon Vendeen breed. The grand version is pretty much a larger example of the final product of dog. A French nobleman is responsible for the changes made. The final product, being the Briquet Griffon Vendeen, is now used as a show dog throughout France and is considered to be a fairly rare breed.

This dog almost faced extinction in Europe during WWII. Thanks to the hard work of many of the dog’s fans, it managed to avoid this fate. One of four of breeds of Vendee region of France, it would have been a shame to lose it.

Now the Briquet Griffon Vendeen dog is used for show and hunting. It can handle a wide range of weather and terrain conditions and is much beloved by its fans and owners.

Temperament

One of the first things many people want to know about any dog they are thinking about adding to their family is the dog’s temperament. The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is suited for several types of life, but they do make outstanding family dogs. These incredibly smart dogs can keep up with children without a problem and actually prefer to stay active. While these dogs will do just fine in a household with other dogs, animals like cats or rodents may be thought of as prey and problems can ensue.

Another living situation in which the Briquet Griffon Vendeen is going to excel is in a working team. Either as hunting dogs or in a ranch setting, these dogs are very good at working together to accomplish a goal. As a matter of fact, giving this industrious breed something to do is the best thing you can do for these dogs. They will be much happier with a purpose in life.

If the owner isn’t planning to work the dog, then the way to keep them happy is with exercise. While they are very patient by nature, these dogs need interaction and activity. You will be able to tell when your dog is happy by the pleasant barking and consistently wagging tail. These pretty puppies are easy to train and really do make life much more pleasant for their owners.

Health Problems

You know no one is perfect. When it comes to the health of the Briquet Griffon Vendeen dogs there are a few things an owner needs to be aware of in terms of their health. Let’s take for example their skin. These dogs are prone to having skin allergies. A couple of ways a responsible owner can help is to make sure the dog is bathed regularly and is eating a good diet. These dogs are on the smaller side and sometimes don’t take in enough nutrients.

Another health issue you should think about with the Briquet Griffon Vendeen is collie eye anomaly. This condition causes blindness but luckily doesn’t usually progress once it starts. Deafness can show up in these dogs as well.

While there isn’t anything that can be done to prevent it, these breed of dogs also has problems with epilepsy in some cases. As you know it is a disorder that affects the brain and neurological functions. There is no test for this in dogs, though your vet can give a good guess as to the problem from behavior habits.

Grooming

Every dog needs an occasional bath and the Briquet Griffon Vendeen is no exception. You will want to make sure the dog is only washed with dog shampoo. Using people shampoo could irritate the skin and affect the appearance of the coat. The good news is it is only necessary to bath the dog as needed. The owner should pay careful attention to the undercoat of the dog as well.

Another aspect of grooming for these energetic dogs to keep in mind is their nails. Since the Briquet Griffon Vendeen dogs like to run so much, their nails can end up brittle and broken if not properly cared for. If the owner is uncomfortable with this process, the vet can definitely help during regular check ups.

While you are at it, keeping a flat paddled brush around is imperative to having a well groomed dog. They need to be brushed regularly to promote clean fur and healthy skin.

Exercise

It has already been mentioned that these dogs need exercise. While they can adapt to any living condition, their need for exercise doesn’t actually change. For this reason, these dogs are the perfect pets for very active people. They love to go for long runs or walks. It certainly wouldn’t be a bad idea to play in the park either.

As far as toys go, the Briquet Griffon Vendeen loves balls, Frisbees, and any other toy you can think of to keep them entertained. Don’t let these inquisitive animals wander off on their own, they are easily distracted by their natural hunting instinct and could be gone in a matter of seconds if in an unfamiliar setting.

Training

Like any other type of dog, the Briquet Griffon Vendeen dog has to be trained well in order to be all it can be. The good news is these dogs are very good at taking direction. They need a firm but loving hand in order to be confident and happy. The right owner or trainer can help these dogs a great deal. Starting when they are young, the Briquet Griffon Vendeen puppy should be worked to become socialized. Socialization should include people as well as other puppies or dogs. This teaches the young dog how to interact appropriated in various situations. These dogs are commonly very good with children, but most be exposed to life with kids for the best results.

Using physical rewards like petting and even food treats are very effective methods for training these bright dogs. They don’t respond very well to yelling or physical discipline. If a trainer uses gentleness, a sense of fair play and consistency in their training, things will go very well.

The Briquet Griffon Vendeen puppy should begin training as early as ten or twelve weeks for the best results. Most owners are delighted with how smart these dogs are and how quickly they learn. Of course each individual dog is unique, but consistent work should yield a fine dog in no time.