Briquet Griffon Vendeen

Hound Group Medium (25-50 lbs)
Height 19-22"
Weight 35-53 lbs
Lifespan 10-14 years
Price $700-$1,400

About the Briquet Griffon Vendeen

Rough-coated, medium-sized and built for hard country, the Briquet Griffon Vendeen belongs to a family of shaggy French hounds from the Vendee, where dense scrub and brambles demanded a coat that could take punishment. This is a working pack hound above all, and the temperament follows: sociable with other dogs, friendly and undramatic with people, tough and persistent in the field. Owners report a lively courageous dog carrying the independence that comes from generations of hunting at some distance from a handler. Exercise needs are considerable, calling for long varied outings where the nose can work rather than short neighbourhood walks, and an under-exercised individual becomes vocal and restless. Scent commitment overrides recall, so fenced ground and long lines matter outside working contexts. Training benefits from patience, food and short sessions, since these hounds cooperate willingly but were never selected for precision obedience. Grooming is undemanding but specific: the harsh tousled coat wants brushing every week or two plus occasional hand-tidying, and it should not be clipped soft. Voice is deep and used freely on trail. Kennel-raised dogs cope poorly alone. Rural hunting establishments remain the only realistic setting. Notably, this hound is the medium-sized member of the Vendeen griffon group and remains far rarer than its Petit Basset relative.

Temperament

Affectionate Great with Kids Dog-Friendly Playful Highly Intelligent
Affection Level
Good with Children
Good with Other Dogs
Playfulness
Protectiveness
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Intelligence
Adaptability

Physical Characteristics

Size Category Medium (25-50 lbs)
Height 19-22"
Weight 35-53 lbs
Coat Type Wire
Coat Length Medium
Colors
Hypoallergenic No

Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

High (60-90 min/day)

60 minutes per day recommended

Grooming

Moderate - Weekly

Shedding:

Mental Stimulation

Needs plenty of mental challenges

Drooling

Living Conditions

Apartment Friendly
Good for First-Time Owners
Tolerates Being Alone
Cold Weather Tolerance
Hot Weather Tolerance

Cost of Ownership

Purchase Price $700-$1,400
Annual Cost $1,200/year

Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.

Health Considerations

Like all breeds, Briquet Griffon Vendeens may be prone to certain health conditions:

Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.

Best For

  • Families with Children
  • Active Owners

May Not Be Ideal For

  • Apartment Living
  • Long Work Hours Away
  • Sedentary Lifestyles

Guides for your Briquet Griffon Vendeen

The story behind the Briquet Griffon Vendeen

The Vendee region of western France produced a group of rough-coated griffon hounds bred to hunt hare, boar and deer through thick thorny cover, and the Briquet occupies the middle size within that family, below the Grand Griffon Vendeen and above the basset varieties. The word briquet historically described a medium-sized hound. The type was consolidated across the 1800s and early 1900s from the larger Vendeen hounds, with breeders selecting for a hound able to work brambles at a pace hunters on foot could follow. Both world wars severely reduced French hound populations, and post-war rebuilding was led by a small group of breeders. The FCI recognises the breed, but it remains rare and is kept almost exclusively for hunting within France.

Originally bred for: Hunting, Pack hound, Trailing. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.

Feeding a Briquet Griffon Vendeen

A hard-working medium hound needs a quality adult food with energy raised during the hunting season and reduced afterwards, since these dogs cover rough ground for hours when working. Keep the frame lean and muscular, and check condition by hand beneath a deceptively bulky rough coat.

Watch for: No breed-specific dietary pattern is recorded for these Vendeen hounds. Working packs generally tolerate plain rations well, and scavenging in the field explains much apparent intolerance. Drop ears also invite irritation independent of diet, so have a veterinarian assess anything persistent.

Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.

Living with a Briquet Griffon Vendeen

Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.

For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.

Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.

Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.

Compare Briquet Griffon Vendeen with Other Breeds

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