Scent hound Medium size 22-24 kg
Briquet Griffon Vendeen
A cheerful, shaggy French pack hound - friendly and hardy, but the nose, voice and stamina call for active homes and secure fencing.
Match with your household
See match detail → Quick overview
Medium
Size
22-24 kg, 50-55 cm tall
High
Activity
Working hound; needs long daily exercise
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Pack dog; prefers company but copes
Moderate
Trainability
Independent nose; consistent training needed
Low
Coat care
Harsh coat; occasional brushing and stripping
Good
Fit with kids
Friendly and tolerant with children
Moderate
Other pets
Prey drive; supervise with small animals
Light
Health burden
Generally hardy hunting breed
The Briquet Griffon Vendeen typically weighs 22-24 kg, stands 50-55 cm, and lives 12-14 years.
Consider this breed if…
you hike, hunt or run in the countryside several times a week,
you like a merry, sociable dog that gets on with kids and other dogs,
you can live with a rustic coat that looks scruffy on purpose,
you have tall, secure fencing and are honest about hound recall.
Do not consider this breed if…
your neighbors share walls - the melodious hound voice carries,
you want precision obedience; this is an independent hunter,
small pets roam free at your place,
you need a breed you can find locally - it is uncommon even in France and very rare in the US.
A typical day with a Briquet Griffon Vendeen
- 7:00 · MorningLong sniffy walk; the nose sets the route
- 9:30 · MidmorningNaps off the morning; cheerful greeting when you move
- 13:00 · NoonYard time; checks the fence line, always
- 16:30 · AfternoonTracking game or long-line run in a field
- 19:00 · EveningFamily time; a worked Briquet is a couch companion
- 22:00 · NightSleeps deeply; may bay if wildlife visits the yard
Family and environment
Kids Good
Merry and tolerant; a good match for active families.
Dogs Good
A pack hound at heart; enjoys canine company.
Cats Conditional
Raised-together cats usually work; outdoor cats get chased.
Apartment Poor fit
Voice plus exercise needs make flats hard work.
House with a yard Suitable
Fence high and deep; it follows its nose under and over.
City Conditional
Only with big daily outings to green space.
Countryside Ideal
Bred for the brambly Vendee terrain; this is home.
Health data provided by RealVetCost Overall health burden Light
Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.
View the full health profileTop health concerns
Chronic Ear Infections Long ears trap moisture; check regularly
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock
Dental Disease Routine dental care needed
Similar breeds - by reason
Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.
Easier-to-find merry pack hound
Beagle
A merry, kid-proof scent hound that follows its nose over your commands - and tells the whole street when left alone.
View profile →
Similar size and stamina, smoother coat
Harrier
A sturdy, sociable pack hound like a bigger Beagle - cheerful and good with company, but energetic with a nose that pulls it away.
View profile →
Another rustic French pack hound
Porcelaine
An elegant, keen-nosed French hound suited to active rural homes - its hunting drive and vocal baying make it a poor apartment fit.
View profile →Frequently asked questions
How much does a Briquet Griffon Vendeen cost?
In the US, plan on an import: breeders are concentrated in France and a puppy with shipping and paperwork typically lands at $2,000-$4,000, often after a wait. Ongoing costs are moderate for a healthy medium hound - roughly $15,000-$25,000 over a 12-14 year life for food and routine vet care, with ear care as a recurring line item.
How is the Briquet different from the PBGV and GBGV?
All are rough-coated Vendeen hounds, but the Briquet is the mid-size, square-built member of the family - taller and leggier than the low-slung Petit and Grand Basset Griffon Vendeens, and a step down from the big Grand Griffon Vendeen. Temperament is similar across the family: merry, vocal, nose-driven.
Can a Briquet Griffon Vendeen be let off leash?
Treat off-leash freedom as a fenced-area privilege. It was bred to hunt independently in thick cover, and a hot trail reliably outcompetes recall. A long line, tracking games and fenced runs give it the freedom it needs without the disappearing act.
Is the Briquet Griffon Vendeen a good family dog?
Yes, for the right family - it is cheerful, sturdy and genuinely good with children and other dogs. The honest caveats are noise, independence and exercise: a household wanting a quiet, biddable companion that naps through the day will find it exhausting rather than charming.