Briquet Griffon Vendeen vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison

Briquet Griffon Vendeen vs Braque Francais - Breed ComparisonBoth Briquet Griffon Vendeen and Braque Francais are originated from France. Briquet Griffon Vendeen may grow 14 cm / 5 inches shorter than Braque Francais. Briquet Griffon Vendeen may weigh 31 kg / 68 pounds lesser than Braque Francais. Both Briquet Griffon Vendeen and Braque Francais has almost same life span. Briquet Griffon Vendeen may have less litter size than Braque Francais. Briquet Griffon Vendeen requires High maintenance. But Braque Francais requires Low maintenance

History

briquet griffon vendeen - historyThe Briquet Griffon Vendeen, a product of France is a hunting down bred down from the Grand Griffon Vendeen. The two dogs are descendants of the Gaul’s Canis sequsius and the Gris de St. Louis hounds. They are one of four dogs with rough coats from the Vendeen area along France’s west coast. Many of these lines were decimated by the Second World War and are still not found in France today.

The Briquet Griffon Vendeen survived the war due to a French dog show judge named Hubert Dezamy, who restored the breed and it is mainly a show dog today. Many of Frances royalty prior to the French Revolution favored the breed as show dogs as well. The Briquet was originally developed for hunting of smaller game and is a scent hound. The larger Grand Griffon Vendeen was used in the hunt for large game, namely wolves and boar.

The Briquet Griffon Vendeen is recognized by the UKC and the FCI but not by the AKC and the breed is hardly known outside of France

braque francais - historyBraque Francais was at first one general breed of hounds in the Gascognes and Pyrenees Mountains areas of France. The one breed became two. Known as the Braque Francais Gascognes and the Braque Francais Pyrenees - two separate breeds of very alike dogs. The Gascognes is a lot less common than his smaller brother. Not very much is known about the beginnings of these two strains of Braque Francais as the breed has been around since at least the 15th century. Because the Braque Francais was exported or taken to so many different countries in the 15th-18th centuries, a lot of the origins of the breeds were lost. A major bloodline search was The conducted in the 19th century and found that these were two very distinct breeds of dog.

It is known that France was the birthplace of this breed and it was developed because of a need for a tracker that could point, flush and retrieve. The Braque Francais Gascogne probably came from the south of France. It is related to the German Shorthair Pointer and the English Pointer as well. Having existed since the 15th century, he was the father of all pointing dogs in France. By the 17th century the breed had grown enough to be called the “old style Braque Francais”,

Though the origin of the breed is not known there are of course several theories about it. The most prevalent belief is that the Braque Francais Gascogne is a descendent of the Chien d’Oysel, a spaniel breed of medium size and white or brown with brown markings. The Chien d’Oysel is an ancient breed used for hunting prior to the 13th century. Hunters crossed the Chien with local dogs on a routine basis.

Braque Francais came out of these breedings. It was probably French Scent hounds that created the larger size of the Gascogne. This also increased the stamina and strength of the Gascogne as opposed to the Pyrenees. There was also a mixing in of the Grand Bleu De Gasgogne and the Petit Bleu De Gasgogne.

The other prominent theory is that this breed the Gasgogne was actually developed from the Portugese, Spanish and Italian pointers rather than the French dogs. These dogs originated not with the Chien d’Oysel but with the scent hounds. From these dogs came the Spanish and English Pointers. All that is truly known is that all of these types of dogs were present in Europe by the fifteenth century and were moved among countries and cross bred regularly. However in the part of France called the Central Pyrenees region and in a small southern part of France the original, old style Braque Francais was pure bred. This aspect of the breed contributed to the development of all of the French pointers and European shorthaired dogs. By the end of the 1800’s today’s breed was developed.

In 1850 the first Braque Francais breed club was established and in the breed standards for both dogs followed in 1880. They were then registered in the French Kennel Club and the International Kennel Club (FCI). The French Kennel Club does not allow dogs with any common ancestors in Generations 1-3 into the Club in order to keep out the practice of inbreeding. In Canada only the Gascogne is recognized and the United States’ United Kennel Club (UKC) recognizes both. The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize either.

With most local regions and countries choosing their local dogs over other breeds, the Braque Francais Gascogne has become fairly rare outside of France where the breed was the most popular gun dog throughout the 1700’s. The Gascogne was mostly a dog of the hunting nobility because of its size and food needs. Following the French Revolution, the breed fell off dramatically, while the smaller Pyrenees continued to thrive. This was because in the Pyrenees Mountains and the Southwestern region of Gascony, the English Pointer never supplanted the Braque Francais.

The Second World War was brutal to the Braque Francais Gascognes and as it recovered it became much less common than its sister breed. Today it is found almost exclusively in France.

Description

briquet griffon vendeen puppy - descriptionThis medium sized dog is stocky and well proportioned. He looks very much like the Grand Griffon Vendeen only smaller. It is less muscular than other hound dogs and it holds its tail up when working. The head is short with a medium/long muzzle. It has low set ears and a flat skull with large, dark eyes and pronounced eyebrows. It also has a mustache.

braque francais puppy - descriptionThe Braque Francais Gascogne is a larger dog than the Pyrenees breed and is a very handsome dog. Both have a deep chest, a solid bodies, strong and slender legs and are well-proportioned. They have padded, round paws and a large brown head with floppy ears. The muzzle is a pointed block and he has a scissors bite, with a black nose and dark or amber eyes. The eyes are very expressive and round. The tail can be straight and long, or it can be docked. They are tall and athletic.

Characteristics

briquet griffon vendeen dog - characteristicsThe Briquet Griffon Vendeen is a smart, attentive and sensitive dog. It is easy to train. They are loyal and bond quickly with their owner/trainer. These are enthusiastic dogs with a lot of stamina and get along with dogs and children. They don’t like to be told what to do. They respond well if you bribe them with treats or play with them. They are patient, extroverted and happy dogs.

braque francais dog - characteristicsThis is a working breed, but they are nevertheless friendly and loyal to their families. They want to please their people and are usually docile. They love kids and are good as a first ever dog. They are friendly and even-tempered. They tolerate people they do not know but can be shy and are not guard dogs. instead they are loving, affectionate and people oriented. They need to be with their families and never left outside alone. They can develop separation anxiety.

Health Problems

briquet griffon vendeen puppies - health problemsThey are bred to be healthy and hardy, but still have some health concerns. These include:

Aseptic Meningitis

This is a frightening disease if you find your dog has it. It is characterized by a high fever and an intense hypersensitivity to touch. Aseptic Meningitis is an inflammation of the brain. It is caused by an infection and the most common ones include:

Ear infections

Sinus infection

Bite wounds – infected

Severe Allergic Reaction to something – may take medication

Ear Infections – long droopy ears can get infected

Deafness – white dog can be born deaf

Hypothyroidism

Hip dysplasia – bone doesn’t fit well into joint

Patellar luxation – dislocated knee cap

Glaucoma- Increased pressure in the eyes

Skin and Food Allergies

Epilepsy - Seizures

braque francais puppies - health problemsThe Braque Francais is a fairly healthy breed. They are susceptible to certain health conditions that most dogs of their size and working history are susceptible to. These include Patellar luxation which seems to be one of the most common problems for them. They also can have hip and/or elbow dysplasia, aortic stenosis which is a narrowing of the aorta, and some eye issues such as ectropion, entropion, and PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy as well as cataracts.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

briquet griffon vendeen dogs - caringDon’t overfeed your Briquet Griffon Vendeen. Give her at least 2 meals of high quality dry food – two and one half to three cups daily.

Health issues

Aseptic Meningitis can result in death.

Ear Infections can cause meningitis

Deafness – born with this

Hypothyroidism

Hip dysplasia – lameness, arthritis

Patellar luxation - lameness

Glaucoma - blindness

Eye Issues -blindness

Skin and Food Allergies

Epilepsy – could be fatal

Exercise and games

Every type of Griffon is a strong hunter and has strong instincts. The Briquet is no different. They need to be able to hunt as this is one of the strongest of scent hounds. They need a fenced in yard at the very least to explore and smell. They also enjoy long walks with new smells. Stay in shape because your Briquet Griffon Vendeen has stamina to share.

They love to play in leu of hunting. The games they love include frisbee, retrieving balls, and learning new tricks. They need mental stimulation as well as physical.

Feeding

braque francais dogs - caringThis is a high energy, working dog with a need for a high-quality energy food or raw food that you make up yourself. Be sure to include chicken, beef and fish. Feed him about 3 cups once a day or 1.5 cups twice a day.

Health issues

In addition to the conditions listed above, his long floppy ears can lead to ear infections if not cared for. Wash them out daily. He is also susceptible to bloat so don’t feed him large meals and don’t let him exercise or work right before or right after exercise.

Exercise and games

These dogs have a variety of hunting skills. They are not only pointers but can flush, trail and retrieve. The Gascogne is not as quick as the Pyrenees. They need a lot of exercise daily or they need a hunting job. They would do well with barn hunt, lure coursing and free play in an off leash fenced in area. If they don’t get rid of their energy, they can be destructive. They were bred to hunt and cannot resist the chase,

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
France
France
Height Male:
50 - 55 cm
19 - 22 inches
47 - 69 cm
18 - 28 inches
Height Female:
48 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
45 - 65 cm
17 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
22 - 24 kg
48 - 53 pounds
20 - 55 kg
44 - 122 pounds
Weight Female:
20 - 22 kg
44 - 49 pounds
19 - 52 kg
41 - 115 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
3 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Medium Vendéen Griffon
French Pointing Dog -; Braque Francais, de Grande Taille
Colors Available:
white and orange, tricolor, White and black, black and tan
brown, Chestnut brown, either solid or mixed with white. With or without ticking or roaning or tan marking
Coat:
double
thick
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Sweet
Grooming:
High maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. East Siberian Laika vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  2. French Spaniel vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  3. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  4. Finnish Spitz vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  5. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  6. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  7. Field Spaniel vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  8. Curly Coated Retriever vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  9. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  10. Braque Francais vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  11. Braque Francais vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  12. Braque Francais vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  13. Braque Francais vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  14. Braque Francais vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  15. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  16. Shikoku vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  17. Slovakian Hound vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  18. Small Munsterlander vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  19. Sussex Spaniel vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  20. Kooikerhondje vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  21. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  22. West Siberian Laika vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  23. Wetterhoun vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  24. Braque Saint-Germain vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  25. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  26. Pharaoh Hound vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  27. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  28. Hungarian Vizsla vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  29. Redbone Coonhound vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  30. Norwegian Elkhound vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  31. Coonhound vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  32. Santal Hound vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  33. English Coonhound vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  34. Podenco Canario vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  35. Dunker vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  36. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  37. Chippiparai vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  38. Podenco Andaluz vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  39. Podenco Galego vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  40. English Foxhound vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  41. Estonian Hound vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  42. Grand Griffon Vendeen vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  43. Hamiltonstovare vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  44. Kanni vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  45. Lithuanian Hound vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  46. Hungarian Hound vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  47. Hygenhund vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  48. Norrbottenspets vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  49. Chinese Chongqing Dog vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  50. Combai vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds