Grand Griffon VendéenCharacteristics, history, training and care
Grand Griffon Vendéen. · Canarian, Anka Friedrich / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized.
The Grand Griffon Vendéen is a very old French hound, the largest of the Vendée griffons and the first, from which the others were developed. It has a long, harsh coat with a moustache and eyebrows. It has a keen nose and a fine voice, is persistent on the trail and is not afraid of brambles. It is docile, but wilful and passionate.
Quick facts
| Common name | Grand Griffon Vendéen |
| Scientific name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Country of origin | France (Vendée) |
| Official recognition | FCI, definitively since 8 April 1969 (group 6, large scent hounds, with working trial; standard no. 282) |
| Lifespan | No published data for the breed; large hounds usually live 10–13 years |
| Size (males) | 62–68 cm at the withers (±1 cm) |
| Size (females) | 60–65 cm at the withers (±1 cm) |
| Coat type | Long without exaggeration, sometimes shaggy and harsh, with a dense undercoat |
| Common colours | White and black, white and orange, tricolour, black and tan, fawn |
| Energy level | Very high |
| Suited to an apartment? | No |
| Temperament | Docile, but wilful and passionate |
| Tendency to aggression | Low |
| Good with children | No specific data |
| Good with other animals | Very good with dogs; strong hunting instinct |
| Genetic predispositions | No breed-specific diseases are known |
- Primary category:Dog breeds
- Explore this animal's categories:
History and origin
The FCI standard says that at first there was only the Grand Vendéen, a short-haired variety descended from the “Greffier”, or the so-called “king's white dog”, from the early 16th century. The Griffon Fauve de Bretagne played an important part in the Greffier lines.
The “Chien Gris de St. Louis” and the “Griffon de Bresse” also contributed to the making of the Grand Griffon. Wikipedia says it was the first griffon from Vendée, from which the smaller breeds were then developed: the Briquet Griffon Vendéen and the Grand and Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen.
How the breed developed
- Early 16th century – The “Greffier”, the breed's ancestor, appears.
- The following centuries – The Grand Griffon develops in Vendée.
- 8 April 1969 – The FCI recognises the breed.
- 9 January 1999 – The current FCI standard is published.
Breed rating
| Feature | Stars |
|---|---|
| Training and intelligence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Easy to train | ★★★☆☆ |
| Intelligence | ★★★★☆ |
| Independence | ★★★★☆ |
| Stubbornness | ★★★★☆ |
| Behaviour and temperament | ★★★☆☆ |
| Affectionate with family | ★★★★☆ |
| Friendly with children | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good with other dogs | ★★★★★ |
| Good with cats and other animals | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Loyalty | ★★★★☆ |
| Tendency to be aggressive | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tendency to bark | ★★★★☆ |
| Needs and care | ★★★★☆ |
| Shedding | ★★★☆☆ |
| Needs frequent grooming | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Activity and lifestyle | ★★★★☆ |
| Energy level | ★★★★★ |
| Daily exercise needs | ★★★★★ |
| Suited to apartment life | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Health and longevity | ★★★★☆ |
| Life expectancy | ★★★★☆ |
| Predisposition to genetic diseases | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Working abilities and uses | ★★★★☆ |
| Good hunting dog | ★★★★★ |
| Good companion dog | ★★★☆☆ |
Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile; the rating is based on the FCI standard (“docile, but wilful and passionate, it must be kept well in hand”).
Physical characteristics
The standard describes it as a very old breed of French type, responsive and determined, distinguished in form and movement. Its build is well proportioned, sturdy without heaviness.
General appearance
Wikipedia says it has a well-domed head with a slightly marked stop. The nose is black, except in white and orange dogs, in which it can be brown. The lips are covered by a moustache. The eyebrows are pronounced but do not cover the eyes.
| Feature | Grand Griffon Vendéen |
|---|---|
| Size | Large |
| Height at the withers | males: 62–68 cm; females: 60–65 cm |
| Coat | Long, harsh, with a dense undercoat |
| Head | Domed, with a moustache |
| Eyebrows | Pronounced |
| Type | Pack hound |
The standard accepts black with white patches, black and tan, fawn with white patches (white and orange), tricolour and fawn or light fawn with a black overlay.
Training and socialisation
The standard says it has a keen nose and a fine voice, is persistent on the trail, does not shy away from thorny undergrowth and needs large territories. It is docile, but wilful and passionate, and must be kept well in hand.
Like any pack hound, it needs a firm owner and a lot of recall practice.
Tips for effective training
- Keep it well in hand. The standard says it is wilful and passionate.
- Practise the recall. On a scent, it can forget about you.
- Keep it in company. It is a pack dog.
- Give it space. The standard says it needs large territories.
Activity needs and lifestyle
It is a hardy pack hound that needs a great deal of exercise and large spaces.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Long walks in nature | daily | Great stamina |
| Scent work | several times a week | Hound instinct |
| Time with other dogs | daily | It is a pack dog |
Tips for a balanced life
- It is best suited to hunters.
- It needs a large, fenced yard.
- Check the coat for burrs after outings.
Care and health
Coat and skin care
The harsh coat should be brushed once or twice a week so that it does not tangle. The moustache should be cleaned after meals.
Common health problems
There are no published health studies for the breed and no specific diseases are known. Worth watching for:
| Condition | Description | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | The hip joint forms incorrectly and, over time, arthritis develops | Limping, difficulty getting up or jumping, hip pain |
| Ear infections | Infections of the long ears | Scratching, bad smell, tilted head |
Other care
- Check the ears after every outing.
- Check for ticks after hunting.
- Trim the nails if they do not wear down on their own.
Diet and nutrition
A large hound that hunts needs a lot of energy during the season. Adjust the portion to its weight and workload.
Tips for a healthy diet
The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.
| Dog's weight | Calories per day (neutered) | Calories per day (not neutered) | Dry food per day (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 kg | 1,360 kcal | 1,530 kcal | 340–440 g |
| 32 kg | 1,510 kcal | 1,700 kcal | 380–490 g |
| 36 kg | 1,650 kcal | 1,850 kcal | 410–530 g |
- Split the food into two meals a day to reduce the risk of bloat.
- Increase the portion on days of hard exercise.
- A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs under the coat without pressing hard.
Foods to avoid
Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.
Reproduction and development
Physical and emotional maturity
In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months, but in large breeds it can be delayed until about two years. The body also reaches its adult form later than in small breeds.
Mating and pregnancy
Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.
Caring for the puppies
In large breeds, a litter has around 7 puppies on average. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.
Interesting facts
- The first of the Vendée griffons. The Briquet and the two Basset Griffon Vendéens were developed from it.
- A royal ancestor. It descends from the “king's white dog”.
- A fine voice. The standard praises its voice.
- Not afraid of thorns. It goes into undergrowth without hesitation.
- French relatives. It is related to the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne, the Griffon Bleu de Gascogne and the Griffon Nivernais.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Grand Griffon and the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen?
The Grand Griffon is the large hound (60–68 cm) from which the shorter basset was developed.
How big does it get?
Males measure 62–68 cm and females 60–65 cm at the withers.
Is it suited to being a pet?
Not really; it is a pack dog that needs large territories.
What does it hunt?
It is a pack hound with a keen nose, used for trailing game.
