Fawn Brittany Griffon

Other name: Griffon fauve de Bretagne

This rather scruffy-looking lady has a good excuse for her appearance: her mind and energy are focused on other business. A hunting dog with a heritage in the tracking of wolves, bears, and boar, her brain is equal to her exquisite nose. She loves to solve problems, and to spend quality time with her human peers, with whom she will hardly tolerate lazy hours in front of the TV set unless play and fusses are also on the cards. Sandy-coloured and rough to the touch, her unkempt appearance doesn’t preclude her aesthetic desirability, and having been near-extinct in the mid-twentieth century the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne has enjoyed a stunning renaissance. A smaller edition, the Basset Fauve De Bretagne, is more popular still.

Checked by animal care professional

Comment •

Life expectancy	The Fawn Brittany Griffon has a life expectancy of between 12 and 14 years
Temperament	High prey drive
Size	Medium
Adult size	Female Between 19 and 21 in Male Between 20 and 22 in
Adult weight	Female Between 40 and 49 lb Male Between 40 and 49 lb
Coat colour	Red Sand
Type of coat	Short Hard
Eye colour	Brown

Good to know

The Griffon Fauve de Bretagne remains common in France and reasonably well-known across the rest of Europe, but you may struggle to find a breeder beyond European shores.

More details about the Fawn Brittany Griffon

Fawn Brittany Griffon: Origins and history

This happy hunter can be traced back at least as far as the 14th century, when a chap with the wonderful name of Huet des Ventes is on record as having a pack of the things. The Griffon Fauve de Bretagne was largely employed as a hunter of wolves until the latter approached extinction in the 19th century; thereafter it fell to a rare man, Marcel Pambrun, to preserve this rare dog, a vocation at which he succeeded chiefly as a result of establishing the Club de Fauve de Bretagne in 1949.

Physical characteristics of the Fawn Brittany Griffon

Lean, muscular, her harsh fur suggesting her indifference towards tough environments, the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne is a cute medium-sized hunter with a long face and pleasantly flappy ears, which are an oasis of smoothness on that bristled body. Her fur, although short, is sprouty rather than woolly or curly, and tends towards the shade of 1980s casualwear or garden-room sofas. Her moustache, although modest, sets the tone with its quietly workmanlike seriousness.

FCI classification of the Fawn Brittany Griffon

Group 6 - Scent hounds and related breeds
Section 1 : Scent hounds

Fawn Brittany Griffon: Characteristics

More or less affectionate

She is quite loyal and affectionate.

Moderately playful

Being intelligent and full of energy, the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne is ready for stimulating games.

More or less calm

With the right training and exercise, she’s calm at home, and exhibits an energetic discipline outdoors.

Moderate intelligence

Her intelligence is characterised by her ability to adapt to different working situations and games.

High prey drive

This dog was built for hunting fox and wild boar.

Not fearful of strangers

If well-socialised, strangers should not be a problem at all.

Very independent

She is resourceful, and must be well led if you want her to be receptive and obedient.

Fawn Brittany Griffon: Behaviour

Moderately tolerant of being left alone

She likes to live in a group, and although the absence of a master is fine if she is in kennels, she could get depressed if she is left entirely alone.

Moderately easy to train

She needs to be taken in hand early and by an experienced trainer if she is to fulfil her sweet potential.

Tends to be very vocal

Her ‘choppy’ (short and sharp) bark is used liberally in her professional role.

Has a tendency to run away

Being a problem solver, she loves to hatch escape plans.

Doesn't have a tendency to be destructive

She is rather calm as long as her needs are met, and doesn’t get bored if she lives in a pack.

Moderately food motivated

The Griffon Fauve de Bretagne’s appetite is healthy but not excessive. Treats are a good way to motivate this sometimes stubborn and obstinate dog.

Bad watchdog

She doesn’t have a strong sense of territory, so isn’t a great guard.

Training a Fawn Brittany Griffon

She needs to be taken in hand early and by an experienced trainer if she is to fulfil her sweet potential.

Fawn Brittany Griffon: Lifestyle

Not very compatible with living in a flat

She is better off living in the country than in town, and would not enjoy living in an apartment.

Needs a lot of exercise

This working dog needs a good two hours of serious exercise and stimulation a day once fully-grown.

Moderately easy to travel with

Her average size means that she can follow her masters as long as they are well organised and if she is accustomed to various modes of transport in her youth.

Breed compatibility Fawn Brittany Griffon

Moderately compatible with cats

Unless they have grown up together, her high prey drive makes the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne rather keen on chasing cats for sport.

Compatible with other dogs

She will love to hang out with other dogs especially if she’s used to such company from a young age.

Compatible with children

This dog loves kids, and can be very patient with them.

Moderately compatible with senior owners

This dog can be docile, gentle and affectionate, but still requires a lot of exercise. An active older person will require the energy to meet her needs.

Highly recommended for a first-time owner

Potential owners with the time and energy to answer to this dog’s needs should thrive with a Griffon Fauve de Bretagne.

Fawn Brittany Griffon: Purchase price

We do not have enough data to set an average price, but you can expect to pay upwards of £750 for a well-bred puppy. Looking after a dog of this size typically costs between £70 to £100 a month, including food, medical/insurance, and incidental expenses.

Fawn Brittany Griffon: Shedding

Average

Moderate, seasonally.

Fawn Brittany Griffon: Grooming

This dog’s coat rather conveniently looks after itself for the most part. A weekly comb and brush plus the standard nail clipping should keep her in good nick. Some special attention to avoid infections in her drooping ears is also recommended.