Griffon NivernaisCharacteristics, history, training and care

The FCI standard says the Griffon Nivernais probably descends from the hounds of the Gauls (Canis Segusius) and from the grey dogs of Saint Louis. It was highly valued for 200 years, up to the time of Louis XI, and was then removed from the royal packs by Francis I, who preferred white hounds.

Some nobles in the Nivernais kept it until the French Revolution, when the breed seemed to have disappeared. A century later it was re-created from the dogs kept in the region, with new blood from the Griffon Vendéen, the Foxhound and the Otterhound. The breed club was founded in 1925.

How the breed developed

• Antiquity – The Gauls have hounds from which the breed probably descends.
• Up to the time of Louis XI – The breed is highly valued in the royal packs.
• 1789 – With the French Revolution, the breed seems to disappear.
• Late 19th century – The breed is re-created, with Griffon Vendéen, Foxhound and Otterhound blood.
• 1925 – The breed club is founded.
• 15 December 1959 – The FCI recognises the breed.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile; the rating is based on the FCI standard (“brave, with initiative, sometimes stubborn and independent”).

The standard describes it as true to type, sturdy, very hardy and shaggy, with lean legs and muscles, built for stamina rather than speed, and with a slightly sad expression. Wikipedia says its body is longer than that of most French hounds.

General appearance

The pronounced eyebrows do not cover the eyes, and it has a small beard on the chin. The ears are well covered with hair. Wikipedia says each hair is darker at the tip than at the base, and white hairs are scattered among them.

The tips of the hairs are always darker than the base. Wikipedia says the overall look is grey, from light grey to “wild boar grey”: fawn lightly shaded with black (“hare coat”), wolf grey or blue grey. It may have a small white patch on the chest.

The standard says it has a very good nose, loves difficult ground and thickets and is an excellent hunter, brave without being reckless. Its courage and initiative make it well suited to wild boar hunting in small packs.

It is sometimes stubborn and independent, so the owner must be able to make it obey from a very early age.

Tips for effective training

• Start training it young. The standard says it can be stubborn.
• Be consistent. It is independent.
• Practise the recall. On a scent, it can forget about you.
• Work with its nose. It has a very good nose.

It is a hound made for long days of hunting on difficult ground. It needs plenty of exercise every day.

Tips for a balanced life

• It is best suited to hunters.
• Check the coat for burrs after outings.
• Keep it on a lead outside the yard.

Coat and skin care

The shaggy, harsh coat should be brushed once or twice a week to prevent tangles.

Common health problems

There are no published health studies for the breed and no specific diseases are known. Worth watching for:

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.

A working hound needs plenty 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.

• Split the food into two meals a day to reduce the risk of bloat.
• Increase the portion on hunting days.
• 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.

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.

• “Barbouillaud”. The French call its shaggy coat “barbouillaud”.
• Rejected by a king. Francis I removed it from the royal packs because he preferred white hounds.
• Re-created after the Revolution. It was rebuilt a century after 1789.
• Otterhound blood. When it was re-created, it also received Otterhound blood.
• “The dog of the region”. In the Nivernais it was simply called “the dog of the region”.

Where does the Griffon Nivernais come from?

From the Nivernais region, in central France.

How big does it get?

Males measure 55–62 cm and females 53–60 cm at the withers.

What does it hunt?

It is used mainly on wild boar, in small packs.

Is it easy to train?

Not always: it can be stubborn and must be trained from a young age.