The Griffon Fauve de Bretagne temperament is wily, tenacious, intelligent and obedient.
These fearless dogs were developed to hunt wolves in France.
Although they are no longer used to hunt wolves in modern times, the motto for the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne club is still, “hunting first.”
These dogs are sometimes affectionately known as GFBs. They are also called Fawn Brittany Griffons or Tawny Brittany Griffons.
GFBs are true working dogs that can adapt to nearly any type of terrain and any type of quarry.
If you think the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne personality might be a match for your lifestyle, take the time to get to know this breed to make sure you can provide the necessary amount of physical and mental stimulation.
GFBs thrive when they have a job to do and they require an outlet for their boundless energy.
In this article, you will obtain a basic introduction to Griffon Fauve de Bretagne traits and behaviors.
Griffon Fauve de Bretagne Temperament: Common Griffon Fauve de Bretagne Behaviors
This section will explore some of the most common components of the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne temperament.
However, please bear in mind that all dogs are individuals. Therefore there will be some variability even within a breed.
Your Griffon Fauve de Bretagne may not display all of these characteristics.
Still, this is a good starting point for learning about what to expect from the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne temperament.
Impassioned Hunters
GFBs are first and foremost hunting dogs.
They have been bred over centuries to be outstanding sporting dogs.
Your Griffon Fauve de Bretagne will be happiest if he gets to express his natural behavior in some fashion.
If you do not plan to go hunting with your Griffon Fauve de Bretagne, you might want to look into other similar activities such as tracking, nosework or search and rescue work.
These dogs are not going to be content to lie around for most of the day.
Without enough physical exercise and mental enrichment, your GFB will likely become bored and may develop unwanted behaviors such as barking, digging or chewing.
Make sure you are prepared for a substantial time commitment before you bring home one of these athletic sporting dogs.
If you work long hours, consider adopting an older GFB that does not require as much daily exercise. You can also enlist the help of a dog walker or doggie daycare to make sure your dog gets the proper amount of daily activity.
Good Scenting Ability
The Griffon Fauve de Bretagne has a very powerful sense of smell.
These dogs were bred to follow their noses, so they can be easily distracted by interesting scents.
Teach your GFB to come when called and always keep a close eye on him when he is outdoors.
It is best to keep him on a leash unless he is in a securely fenced area.
Even a well-trained dog might bolt if he catches a whiff of an interesting smell. This can be extremely dangerous if he is playing near a busy street.
Make sure your dog is microchipped and always wearing a collar with an ID tag just in case he wanders off.
Courageous
The tenacious Griffon Fauve de Bretagne temperament makes this breed a brave watchdog.
After all, these dogs were developed to hunt wolves and other fierce wild animals.
The Griffon Fauve de Bretagne is not easily intimidated.
Your GFB will undoubtedly alert you to any suspicious activities on your property.
Good Natured with People
The sweet-natured Griffon Fauve de Bretagne makes this breed a good family pet.
The GFB usually does well with children as long as they are socialized and supervised properly.
GFBs become deeply attached to their families.
They love to be with people, and they do not appreciate being left in the yard.
They want to be part of the family unit.
Sustained Voice
The official breed standard describes the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne as having a “sustained voice.”
Like many scent hounds, the GFB has a tendency to be a vocal breed.
There are certain things that you can do to reduce the amount of barking. For example, you can make sure that your dog gets ample exercise and enrichment.
However, if you cannot tolerate a little barking, this breed is probably not for you.
Likewise, if you live in an apartment with thin walls, the GFB is probably not the best choice for that type of environment.
A Summary of Griffon Fauve de Bretagne History
The Griffon Fauve de Bretagne is an extremely old French hunting breed.
In fact, it is probably one of the oldest French scent hounds still in existence.
The origins of the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne date back to the 14th century. A gentleman named Huet des Ventes owned a pack of hunting GFBs.
They were prized for hunting wolves for centuries in Europe.
When European wolves went extinct, the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne suffered a steep decline.
Marcel Pambrun brought them back from the brink and founded the Club de Fauve de Bretagne in 1949.
The club is still active to this day and their motto is, “hunting first.”
The breed is rare in the United States and is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne is well established in France.
The breed is now used for hunting hare, fox, roe deer, and wild boar.
Griffon Fauve de Bretagne Size and General Appearance
The Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) describes the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne as, “A bony, muscular dog, very resistant to weather and fatigue.”
GFBs are medium sized dogs.
The typical Griffon Fauve de Bretagne weight is between 17 and 21 kg (37- 46 lbs).
The typical Griffon Fauve de Bretagne height is between 19 and 22 inches at the withers.
The classic Griffon Fauve de Bretagne colors are fawn, gold, wheaten or red.
The Griffon Fauve de Bretagne coat is coarse and wiry.
Their tails and ears are long.
A Guide to Griffon Fauve de Bretagne Training
The intelligent Griffon Fauve de Bretagne temperament makes this breed an excellent candidate for training.
GFBs are known for being smart and eager to please.
It is always best to start training your Griffon Fauve de Bretagne as early as possible.
If you acquire your dog as a puppy, sign up for a puppy socialization class right away. These classes are an ideal way for your puppy to learn valuable canine social skills.
If you adopt your GFB as an adult, you can still sign up for a basic obedience class at the earliest opportunity.
Always make sure that you find a trainer that uses positive, force-free training methods. These types of tactics are the most effective and humane.
Avoid trainers that use methods based on fear or punishment. Never use painful training tools such as shock collars, pinch collars or choke chains on this sensitive breed.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your Griffon Fauve de Bretagne dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.
Training should be an enjoyable experience for you and your dog.
Once you have mastered basic training, you can sign up for more advanced classes such as nosework, agility, or tracking.
One thing to keep in mind about the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne is that these dogs are prone to following their noses.
Even well trained dogs might ignore commands when they are on the trail of an interesting scent.
A Guide to Griffon Fauve de Bretagne Grooming
The Fauve de Bretagne coat is described as, “rough, harsh, and rather short.” The coat is never curly or wooly. The face should not be too scruffy.
This type of coat requires moderate upkeep.
You will need to brush it regularly and keep it trimmed and tidy.
Your Griffon Fauve de Bretagne will also need occasional baths, ear cleanings, nail trims and dental care.
Staying Healthy: Griffon Fauve de Bretagne Health Issues
Luckily, the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne is a fairly healthy breed.
However, it is still important to discuss possible health concerns with your veterinarian before you bring one home.
If you purchase a puppy from a breeder, talk with the breeder about the health of the parents.
The Griffon Fauve de Bretagne breed can be prone to the following health issues, so be sure to discuss these with your breeder and/or vet:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Eye Issues
- Ear Infections
- Allergies
Like all dogs, your Griffon Fauve de Bretagne should visit a veterinarian at least once per year for an annual exam and vaccinations.
Your Griffon Fauve de Bretagne should also be up to date on monthly flea, tick and heartworm prevention at all times.
Spaying and neutering is highly recommended unless you plan to get involved in the competitive dog show world. Talk with your veterinarian about the best time to schedule this routine procedure.
With good care and nutrition, the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne lifespan is generally between 10 and 13 years.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
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Griffon Fauve de Bretagne Rescue and Adoption
If you believe that the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne temperament is a good match for your household, your next step will be to find one to add to your family.
This can be tricky since this is such a rare breed in the United States.
One possibility is to try to find a Griffon Fauve de Bretagne for adoption.
Since there are already so many homeless dogs in the world, it is always optimal to make adoption your first option.
There are also many benefits to adopting a pet—in addition to saving an animal’s life!
For example, adopted animals often come with a little prior training. They are usually past the destructive puppy stage and they do not require as much exercise or constant supervision as a puppy.
Additionally, the adoption fee from a rescue organization is always substantially less than the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne price from a breeder.
Rescue Groups, Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
A good place to start your search is at your local animal shelter or humane society.
Even though GFBs are rare in American animal shelters, the staff can keep your information on file for the future. They can also call you about breeds or mixes with similar characteristics.
They may also be able to refer you to local rescue groups that specialize in certain breeds or types of dogs (such as sporting dogs).
The internet is also an excellent adoption resource!
For example, Facebook has countless groups that are dedicated to networking dogs for adoption.
Also be sure to check out national adoption websites such as Petfinder.com, Adoptapet.com and Getyourpet.com.
Finding a Griffon Fauve de Bretagne for Sale from a Reputable Breeder
If you choose to purchase a Griffon Fauve de Bretagne puppy from a breeder, be prepared to do your research to make sure you find a responsible breeder.
Unfortunately, there are many unscrupulous breeders in the world that are more concerned with making money than they are with the welfare of their puppies.
You can ask for referrals of Griffon Fauve de Bretagne breeders from a national breed club or the American Kennel Club, but you will still need to do your own research.
Be wary of breeders that want to conduct all of their business by phone or email, and never purchase Griffon Fauve de Bretagne puppies over the internet or through a pet store.
The best way to get to know a breeder is to visit the breeder in person. This will allow you to view the facility and make sure that the breeding dogs appear to be healthy and happy.
Make sure the breeder has detailed medical records for all of their dogs.
Once you find a breeder to work with, you will probably be placed on a waiting list for a puppy to become available.
Since these dogs are so rare, be prepared for the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne cost to be quite high.
Conclusion: Why the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne?
Many people have fallen in love with the spirited Griffon Fauve de Bretagne temperament.
These dogs make unparalleled hunting dogs as well as loyal family companions.
If you lead an active lifestyle and you are looking for an intelligent and active companion, the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne might be the dog of your dreams.
Allie has worked in the field of animal welfare for over ten years and as a freelance writer the space for many years. She has had many different kinds of dogs (and cats) throughout her life—all adopted. She currently shares her home with a lovable pit bull mix named Huckleberry.