Griffon is the name used to designate the breeds of dogs that come mainly from Europe and whose function is to hunt. The main characteristic that defines these canine species is their rough and hard coat. and a strong physical complexion. Three officially well-defined Griffon lines can be seen known as vandean, smousje, and sampler.
There are many types of dog breeds, but in the end they all come from Lupus cannis or wolf. Due to their functions, dogs in ancient times were divided according to the tasks they performed and that basically there were two, hunting and herding. With modernity, they have been adopting companionship, rescue, security, etc.
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This type of breed includes dogs such as the Blue Gascony griffon or the Belgian Griffon. Pointers include the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Spinone, among others. Small-breed companion dogs such as the famous Brussels Griffon or the Brabantine also stand out. The name Griffon has its origin in Xenophon the Greek military man, historian and philosopher who gave the name to the hunting dogs used by the Gallic tribes. Within this category of dogs those considered to be the oldest are the Italian wire-haired Pointers.
Griffon varieties
Basically the breeds of griffon dogs are divided into three, the hounds that belong to group 6, section 1 of the FCI and among these are the large-sized and long-haired breeds such as the large vandean. Pointers or pointers are classified by the FCI in group 7, section 1 where the roan brown or white and orange Spinone stands out. Finally, in the FCI classification are the company Griffons belonging to group 9, section 3 called Smousje with three varieties known as Brussels Griffon, Belgian and Little Brabantino.
Characteristics of the different varieties
The Griffon dog breed has three well-differentiated varieties, each with differentiating characteristics:
The Big Griffon
It is known by the name of Vendeano, has short, hard and rough hair, the color of the coat tends to be dark or gray with a lot of fur on the tail, their character is restless and playful and they have a lot of strength and energy, so they require physical activity. There is also a variety of small Vendean with similar characteristics
The Griffon Smousje
As well known as Griffon companyIt has three popular varieties known as Belgian, Brussels Griffon and Brabantino. They are characterized by not exceeding five kilos, which is why they are considered small. They are the result of mixtures with Affenpinscher, Yorkshire, Dwarf Schnauzer and Carlino. The temperament of these dogs is extremely playful and restless, since they have great energy.
General care
The main thing to note when it comes to caring for any pet is a visit to the vet. Vaccines and deworming treatments should be given at the right time. All Griffon dog breeds must be well cared for when it comes to hygiene, especially that of the ears.
Their fur must be specially cared to avoid parasites that bring infection and disease. Of course and depending on the size of the breed and the length of the coat, attention should be paid to different needs such as the hip dysplasia or elbow, cardiovascular and hearing problems. It is very important to use the hygiene products indicated for each breed. Special attention must also be paid to food so that it offers the necessary nutritional requirements. One aspect that often goes unnoticed is hydration. Since they expend a lot of energy, they must have enough water at their fingertips to hydrate.
Some dogs of the Griffon breed
Among the dogs of the Griffon breed there are several varieties as already explained previously. Although undoubtedly one of the most popular is the little Brussels Griffon.
Brussels Griffon
The Brussels Griffon is an intelligent pet that is excellent as a companion dog. Both the male and the female do not usually exceed 6 kg. They require some daily physical activity such as a half-hour to 40-minute walk. The average life span is 14 years. They are great barkers, so they are very functional as an alarm dog. Among the physical characteristics, an abundant coat stands out that can be hard or soft. The first needs two weekly brushings, while the soft one will keep up perfectly with one. The colors of the coat can be: black, reddish, brown with black mask and black with red.
The Griffon Nivernais
This is another variety of the breed whose function is that of a hound and its size is relatively large. The muscles of this pet are strong, with long, fur-covered ears.. His characteristic appearance is given by thick eyebrows and a small beard. The tail of the Nivernais is medium and with abundant fur in the center. The coat has different colorations or shades of brown, gray and bluish. The versatility of this pet is proven thanks to its developed sense of smell. His temperament tends to be independent and determined.
Small Vandean Basset Griffon
This small to medium-sized, broad-chested hound can measure between 34 and 38 cm in height at the withers. Its rough coat has shades of white with lemon, orange or tricolor pigments. There is also the larger variety, both dedicated to hunting. The little Vandeano has a fun and active character. They are very independent, brave and somewhat stubborn. That doesn't stop them from being quite sociable, playful, and mischievous. It is recommended that they channel their energy with games and daily exercise; in this way your physical and emotional health are balanced.
Of course, there are more varieties within the Griffon breed with different coincidences and differences between the species. Regardless of size and because of their former role as hunters, all are charged with energy, courageous and independent temperament. They are mostly of strong physical conformation and obvious musculature. Although the breed has earned a deserved position as a companion pet, the owners of this type of breed must not forget their physical requirements and provide them with the daily conditions to exercise.