Briquet Griffon Vendeen

The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is a medium size dog with a distinctive shaggy coat. The word Briquet means medium-sized. These dogs are popular throughout Europe as companion dogs. These dogs are harmonious and level headed. Their build is rather stocky. These dogs first appeared in France around 1946. These dogs have been used as team dogs for hunting wild boar and a team of Briquets won the trophy of France on roe deer in 1995. These dogs were bred as scenting dogs for small game and are comfortable hunting in varied conditions.

The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is very receptive and sensitive by temperament. They have firm snouts and long dropping ears on the sides of their heads. The ears are also supple and narrow and covered with long hair. The tail is short and sticks straight out when the dog is alert, excited or happy. They have medium legs which are will proportioned to its height and length. Their coats are rough and their overall structure is quite compact. They have large, expressive eyes in dark shades. Their eyes show very little white. Their normal expression is friendly and intelligent.

The Briquet has a thick and bushy double coat that is wiry to the touch. The outer coat is harsher compared to the inner coat and might look disheveled and unkempt even when well groomed. Grooming these dogs is very easy and usually only takes a few strokes with a paddle brush. The undercoat is much softer and quite dense and provides warmth from the cooler climate that the dog was once used to. The hair is typically longer over the eyes and muzzle. The dog has bushy eyebrows and a distinct moustache. The color of the coat can range from white and orange, white and black, tricolored and shades of orange and brown. Most of these combinations are accepted by all breed clubs.

These dogs have a naturally happy disposition which even earned them the name of Happy Hounds in Britain. They are always ready to please and are very rarely aggressive. These dogs are good as working dogs because they have a lot of patience. They make valuable companions even though they might prefer to be left alone from time to time.

These dogs originated in France, having descended from the Vendeen hounds of the Gris de St. Louis. The Second World War eliminated many lines of the breed and they are still relatively unknown even in France. The Briquet is one of the four rough coated breeds that originated from the West coast of France, mostly in the Vendeen region. In France, these dogs were bred down in size by the Comte d’Elva from the Grand Griffon Vendeen, a dog of similar construction but much larger in size. It was a direct descendant of the Canis Segusius widely used by the Gauls. Many royal family members chose the Briquet as a show dog, a usage that continues even today. As a rare breed, these dogs continue to attract admirers from the world over.