Grand Griffon Vendeen

He is certainly friendly and warm.

This dog loves a challenge and intelligent interaction.

The Grand Griffon Vendéen has a strong character that should be channeled to help him be calm at home.

He is a moderately intelligent dog.

Yes, this dog is a natural hunter and will have a keen eye (and nose) for both small furry moving things and larger game such as fox.

If not well socialised, he may be fearful or even aggressive towards humans he does not know.

As with many a scenthound, this dog can be highly independent, working on his own and making decisions about his general daily life that you may not fully agree with – often on the basis of a passing smell. Nevertheless, he still needs regular human contact.

He prefers company, but may be left alone if his needs have been met.

This dog is pretty clever but that just means he has his own ideas about things. Training is a challenge and requires discipline, perseverance, and kindness.

He is loud and likes to sing and bark, sometimes just because he’s happy being a dog.

He is prone to refusing to return if he catches a whiff in the park. He might also attempt to escape the garden if under-stimulated.

He may chew or dig excessively if not given something better to do.

He tends to the gluttonous end of the spectrum. This can be handy for training, but be careful not to overfeed.

Most Grand Griffon Vendéens are suspicious of strangers, and know how to emit a dissuasive bark.

This hound’s willfulness and the challenge of training him make the Grand Griffon Vendéen an unwise choice for first dog.

He is much more of a country dog. An apartment, especially in the city, may cramp this hound’s style.

He needs at least one hour of serious exercise a day to satisfy his mental, physical, olfactory and social needs, and preferably space to stretch his legs (i.e. in a garden) when not out on a run. Compromise on these ideals, and you will have a bundle of untameable energy on your hands.

His large size does not allow him to follow his humans easily in all their travels.

Not advisable. This dog will only tolerate a cat with whom he was raised. All others (and rabbits, hamsters etc.) fall distinctly into the category of ‘prey.’

He loves other dogs and will live well with them. If he doesn’t live with other dogs, he must be socialized from an early age with plenty of other dogs, so that he can develop his canine codes.

He will play very kindly and enthusiastically with kids he knows, but it is preferable that they all grow together to ensure a harmonious cohabitation.

This dog may be a bit much to handle for anybody who will struggle to train him or, more particularly, deliver the exercise regime he requires.