Scent Hound / FCI Group 6 · Purebred · France's rough-coated hunter — a medium-sized pack hound with distinctive wiry coat bred for hunting small game in French countryside
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen is a medium-sized, rough-coated French scent hound from the Vendée region on France's Atlantic coast. In French hound terminology 'briquet' means a medium-sized hound, placing it between the larger Grand and the smaller Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen within the Vendéen family of griffons.
It has the tousled, wiry coat and bushy eyebrows and beard characteristic of the Vendéen griffons, giving it a rugged, shaggy appearance well suited to working through rough brush. Bred to hunt hare, boar, and other game, it is a hardy, lively worker. The breed nearly vanished after the World Wars and remains uncommon; it is recognized by the FCI in Group 6 (Scent Hounds).
Real Briquet Griffon Vendéen photos — showcasing their unique appearance and character.
Lively, bold, and friendly, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen is a passionate hunter with a cheerful, independent streak. It is affectionate with its family and generally sociable with other dogs, reflecting its pack heritage. Its strong prey drive and self-reliant nature mean it needs owners who enjoy an energetic, characterful hound rather than a pushbutton pet.
This is an active working hound that needs well over an hour of daily exercise, with plenty of opportunity to explore scents. Long walks, running, and scent games keep it satisfied, and it thrives with active, outdoorsy owners. Boredom and too little exercise lead to barking, digging, and mischief.
The harsh, shaggy coat needs brushing once or twice a week to prevent matting, plus occasional hand-stripping to keep its texture and remove dead hair. Trim around the eyes and check the ears regularly for debris and infection. It sheds moderately and only needs bathing when genuinely dirty.
Clever but independent, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen follows its nose and its own judgment, so training calls for patience, consistency, and reward-based motivation. Keep sessions short and engaging to hold its interest. Early socialization and steady boundaries help, but a foolproof off-leash recall is unrealistic once a scent takes hold.
A rugged, generally healthy breed with a lifespan of around 12–14 years. The most common concerns are ear infections from the hairy drop ears and, as with many medium hounds, occasional hip dysplasia. Regular ear care, a lean weight, and routine veterinary checkups keep most dogs fit and active for years.
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen does best on a good-quality complete dog food matched to its age, size, and activity level. As a rough guide, a typical adult eats about 2½–3¾ cups of dry food per day, split into two meals — but a hard-working or very active dog needs more, while a couch companion needs less. Use a large-breed formula and avoid heavy exercise right after meals to reduce the risk of bloat.
Puppies: 3 meals a day of a puppy formula to fuel growth.
Active adults: around 2½–3¾ cups daily, in two meals, adjusted to keep a trim waistline.
Seniors (7+ yrs): slightly fewer calories and, if needed, a joint-supporting formula as they slow down.
Never feed chocolate, grapes or raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener found in some gums and peanut butters), macadamia nuts, or cooked bones. Keep treats to no more than about 10% of daily calories so they don't crowd out balanced nutrition or lead to weight gain.
Where puppies are available, a Briquet Griffon Vendéen from a responsible breeder typically costs around $1,000–$2,500, with rarer bloodlines and imported dogs sitting at the higher end. Rescue or adoption, where possible, is far less — usually a few hundred dollars in fees.
Food, treats & preventatives, routine care and supplies together usually run about $110–$200 per month for a healthy adult, not counting emergencies or boarding.
Over a full lifetime the total cost of ownership generally lands around $18,000–$28,000, including the purchase price. Pet insurance ($15–$45/month) and a small emergency fund are smart ways to cushion against unexpected veterinary bills.