Griffon Fauve De Bretagne Dogs

A handsome griffon fauve de bretagne waiting for a command

A lovely griffon fauve de bretagne with a sandy coat

A happy griffon fauve de bretagne with a scarf around his neck

History

Also sometimes called the Fawn Brittany Griffon in English, these dogs hail from France where they were originally used to hunt boar and wolves. They have been around since the 13th century and are classed as scent-hounds. They were used in packs to pursue and corner their “prey”. By the 19th century the wolf had gone extinct in France and subsequently this breed’s numbers also dropped and at one point they themselves were on the verge of extinction. In the 1940’s a breeding program began to help save the breed. Since the 1980’s they have regained their popularity as hunting dogs and are still a fairly common sight in France today. There aren’t many of these dogs outside of Europe and are still considered a rare breed in the USA.

Behaviour

These are loyal and affectionate dogs who love being around people. Generally they are friendly with everyone they meet and will be fine with children if well socialized. Whilst they will enjoy cuddling up next to you on the couch, don't be fooled. These are working dogs who love nothing more than being outside running and chasing their quarry. They are brave dogs, early puppy classes and adult training classes will help produce a well-rounded dog. They are always aware of their surroundings, this makes them good guard dogs. They tend to make friends with everyone they meet.

GFB are great problem solvers, and they will eventually find a way to escape from your garden. Training with these dogs needs to start early on, ideally when they’re still puppies. This training should carry on throughout their lives. They do learn quite slowly, this isn’t due to lack of intelligence, but rather due to their stubbornness. Reward based training along with shorter sessions will be best. These dogs don’t handle harshness too well and will just become even more stubborn if shouted at. Recall will have to be one of the first things you teach them as they are scenthounds and once they catch a scent it’ll be hard for you to regain their attention. It varies from dog to dog, some have excellent recall skills and others not so much. GFB will love being in the company of other dogs and enjoy playing.

These dogs need a lot of exercise. A long walk and several longer play sessions will do the trick. These dogs can get agitated and bored if they don’t meet their daily exercise needs. They were bred for hunting and chasing down wolves and boar, this means that they have heaps of stamina and will need either a long walk or run in order to tire them out. They make good jogging partners and will enjoy both the exercise and time spent with you. If all their needs are met they will make excellent pets and a great addition to the family

GFB need a brush a couple of times a week to remove dead hair, but are considered to be quite low maintenance.

Temperament

Griffon Fauve De Bretagnes have a tenacious and affectionate temperament. They enjoy hunting and will happily charge through the countryside by your side all day. At home they are calm. Like with all dogs, early socialization will help a lot in producing a well rounded dog.

Health Problems

Health problems that may affect Griffon Fauve de Bretagne include canine hip dysplasia (CHD), elbow dysplasia, eye problems and allergies. They In general, though, they are healthy dogs.