Griffon Nivernais
Also known as Barbouillaud, Chien de pays
- Height at the withers
- 53 to 62 cm
- Weight
- 22 to 28 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10 to 14 years
- Daily activity
- 90 minutes
- Origin
- France
- FCI group
- 6 · Scent hounds
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- a home with cats
Overview
A medium-sized scent hound with a long, shaggy, coarse coat, always with a black overlay and ranging from wolf gray to fawn, the Griffon Nivernais has the rugged, tousled look that earned it the nickname “barbouillaud.” With a very keen nose, brave when holding game at bay without being reckless, it is above all a wild boar hunting specialist, in a pack or a small group, far more than a companion dog.
History and origins
It is said to descend from the Segusian hounds of the Gauls and from the gray hounds of Saint Louis (King Louis IX), highly prized in the royal packs until Francis I came to prefer the white hounds. Kept by a few noblemen of the Nivernais, the breed seemed extinct by the time of the French Revolution, then was recreated a century later from dogs that had stayed in its home region, with input from the Vendéen, the Foxhound and the Otterhound. Its club was founded in 1925 and the breed is recognized by the FCI (standard no. 17). With 571 registrations with the French Kennel Club (LOF) in 2025, it is one of the scent hounds most used by wild boar hunters in France.
Health
Life expectancy is 10 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hunting injuries (wild boar, brambles)
- Ear infections
- Hip dysplasia
- Tick-borne diseases (piroplasmosis)
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: wolf gray (sand with black overlay), blue gray (fawn with a blue overlay), wild boar gray, fawn with black overlay (hare-colored).
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Impossible, 1 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 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
- Polite, 3 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Low, 2 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
- Frequent, 4 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
Griffon Nivernais FAQ
How big does the Griffon Nivernais get?
The Griffon Nivernais stands 53 to 62 cm at the withers and weighs 22 to 28 kg. It is a medium-sized dog.
Does the Griffon Nivernais shed a lot?
It sheds little and its coat needs little care.
Can the Griffon Nivernais 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 Griffon Nivernais need each day?
Allow about 90 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Griffon Nivernais 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 Griffon Nivernais live?
Life expectancy is 10 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are hunting injuries and ear infections.
