Grand Griffon Vendéen
- Height at the withers
- 60 to 68 cm
- Weight
- 30 to 35 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11 to 13 years
- Daily activity
- 120 minutes
- Origin
- France
- FCI group
- 6 · Scent hounds
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
- a sporty owner: running, hiking, canicross
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- a sedentary life: plan on 120 minutes of activity a day
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
The largest of the four Vendéen griffons is a scent hound of old French stock, powerful and distinguished, with a long coat that is sometimes bushy and rough. With a keen nose and a fine voice, and never one to shy away from brambles, it hunts big game in a pack (wild boar, roe deer, red deer) and needs vast hunting grounds. Docile but strong-willed and passionate, it is far more a hunt pack hound than a companion dog.
History and origins
Originally there was only the smooth-coated Grand Vendéen, a descendant of the greffiers, the King’s white hounds; the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne, the Gris de Saint-Louis and the Griffon de Bresse later contributed to the creation of the Grand Griffon. The ancestor of the three other Vendéen breeds, it was selected around the turn of the 20th century, notably by Count d’Elva, and its breed club is the Club du Griffon Vendéen. Hit hard by the two world wars, it was patiently rebuilt by a few hunts. Recognized by the FCI (standard no. 282), it remains rare, with 107 registrations with the French Kennel Club (LOF) in 2025.
Health
Life expectancy is 11 to 13 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Ear infections
- Hip dysplasia
- Gastric torsion (bloat)
- Hunting injuries and tick-borne diseases
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Long, harsh coat. Low shedding, low coat care. Coat colors: white and black, black and tan, black with sand markings, white and orange, tricolor, fawn with black overlay, sand with black overlay.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Boundless, 5 out of 5
- Apartment
- Impossible, 1 out of 5
- Home alone
- Very poorly, 1 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Not advised, 1 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Very high, 5 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Shedding
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Very vocal, 5 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Grand Griffon Vendéen FAQ
How big does the Grand Griffon Vendéen get?
The Grand Griffon Vendéen stands 60 to 68 cm at the withers and weighs 30 to 35 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the Grand Griffon Vendéen shed a lot?
It sheds little and its coat needs little care.
Can the Grand Griffon Vendéen live in an apartment?
It is not recommended: it needs space, ideally a house with a yard. Mind the neighbors: it barks readily.
How much exercise does the Grand Griffon Vendéen need each day?
Allow about 120 minutes of activity a day: its energy is boundless. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Grand Griffon Vendéen good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Grand Griffon Vendéen live?
Life expectancy is 11 to 13 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are ear infections and hip dysplasia.
