Griffon Nivernais
About the Griffon Nivernais
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 21-25" |
| Weight | 50-55 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
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
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, Griffon Nivernaiss 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
- First-Time Owners
- Long Work Hours Away
Guides for your Griffon Nivernais
The story behind the Griffon Nivernais
The Nivernais region of central France gave its name to old rough-coated hounds used on large game, sometimes linked in tradition to the medieval Chien Gris de Saint-Louis, though that connection is not documented. The type effectively disappeared during the nineteenth century as hunting practices changed. Breeders in the early twentieth century reconstructed it using surviving rough hound stock, with griffon vendeen, foxhound and otterhound blood among the sources commonly cited, aiming to recreate a hardy boar hound rather than a show dog. A club and standard followed in France. The breed is recognised internationally, worked chiefly in packs on wild boar, and kept largely by hunting associations. Numbers remain small, and it is rarely encountered outside France and neighbouring countries.
Originally bred for: Wild boar hunting, Pack scenthound, Large game tracking. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Griffon Nivernais
Provide a substantial complete food during working months and reduce richness when the season closes, because a resting hound gains weight easily. Feeding twice daily and keeping meals well away from hard exercise suits this lean, deep-chested build.
Watch for: There is no recognised breed intolerance to any particular ingredient. Field scavenging and abrupt changes between kennel rations account for most upsets seen in working packs. Ask a veterinarian to guide any elimination attempt or significant change to what is fed.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Griffon Nivernais
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.