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Grand Griffon Vendeen

History

Initially only the Grand Vendéen existed. It was a short-haired variety of Vendéen descending from the Greffier * or from the so-called King ’s white hound *. Neither should we forget mentioning the griffon fauve de Bretagne in its origins because the former enters for an important part into the bloodlines of the Greffier . The « Chien Gris de St. Louis and the Griffon de Bresse descendant of Segusian ancestors brought as well their contribution to the creation of the Grand Griffon Vendeen . Early 16th century - Translator’s note. Scenthound used by hunters with or without guns, of large game, stag, roe-deer, wild boar, fox, generally in a pack or individually as a limer dog held on a lead and used for picking up a cold trail.

General Appearance Well balanced, medium height hound. Rough coated with a familiar and intelligent look and noble bearing.

Characteristics A strong, active hound capable of a day’s hunting, with a good voice freely used.

Temperament
Happy and outgoing, but thoughtful and not easily agitated; independent, yet willing to please.

Head and Skull A noble head. Skull domed and not too wide. Well cut away under the eyes; stop clearly defined; occipital bone well developed. Long, square muzzle. Slight roman nose. Underjaw strong, well developed. Nose black, large with wide nostrils. Eyes surmounted by long eyebrows standing forward but not to obscure eyes, lips covered with long hair forming beard and moustache.

Eyes Large, dark, showing no white, with a friendly, intelligent expression. Haw not visible.

Ears Supple, narrow and fine, covered with long hair, folding inwards ending in an oval shape; reaching to at least the end of the nose; set on low, not above the line of the eye.

Mouth Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck Long and strong, set into well laid shoulders, thicker at the base; without throatiness, carrying the head proudly.

Forequarters Shoulders clean and well laid back; elbows close to the body, never turning out. Forelegs straight, thick and well boned. Pasterns strong and slightly sloping. Knuckling over is unacceptable.

Body Deep brisket, ribs moderately rounded, extending well back. Back of good length and level topline with slight rise over well muscled loins.

Hindquarters Heavy boned, strong and muscular with moderate bend of stifle. Heavily muscled thighs with well defined second thigh.

Feet Big and tight padded. Pads firm and solid. Nails strong and short.

Tail Good length, set on high, strong at the base, tapering regularly, well furnished with hair of good length; carried proudly like the blade of a sabre or slightly turned in, but never falling back over the loins.

Gait/Movement Free with great drive. Front action straight and reaching well forward; hind action easy and elastic, hocks turning neither in nor out.

Coat Rough and long without exaggeration, with a flat structure, never silky or woolly, fringing not too abundant; thick undercoat. Hounds should be shown untrimmed.

Colour White with any combination of lemon, orange, tri-colour or grizzle markings.

Size Height: 39-43 cms (151/2-17 ins); 2 cms (3/4 in) above the upper limit permissible.

Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.