Nivernais Griffon

The Nivernais Griffon would descend from the grey dog of Saint Louis brought back to Europe after the Eighth Crusade in the mid-13th century which composed the royal packs until the reign of Francis I where its popularity declined in favor of the white dog. Gentlemen from Nivernais preserved the type until the French Revolution. In the 19th century, the breed of Nivernais Griffon, often simply called 'country dog', is created from subjects that would descend from these grey dogs and is crossed with the Vendée Griffon, the English Foxhound then the Otter Hound. The Nivernais Griffon club was founded in 1925 under the presidency of the viscount d'Anchald. With World War II, the numbers of the Nivernais Griffon are at their lowest and it is not until 1969 that the Nivernais Griffon Club becomes active again and resumes selection.

The International Canine Federation standard describes the Nivernais Griffon as courageous and determined, never fearful. According to the Société Centrale Canine, the breed is endowed with a balanced character, neither shy nor aggressive, calm, obedient although determined and independent. Its strong temperament requires gentle education without brutality, neither power struggles nor laxness.

The Nivernais Griffon is a running dog of medium size, of rustic and robust appearance and dry construction. The body fits into a rectangle without exaggeration. Attached a little high, the tail of medium length is carried slightly below horizontal at rest and in saber upward in action. Very dry, the head is light without being small, rather of elongated shape. The lines of the skull and muzzle are parallel. The dark eyes are topped by pronounced eyebrows. Attached on the upper line of the eye, the drooping ears are supple, rather fine, slightly turned inward at their tip. Quite hairy, they reach the base of the nose. The coat is long, hirsute and shaggy, rough. The coat is charcoal fawn. The presence of white hair scattered in the coat is tolerated and gives shades ranging from light grey to dark grey through boar grey. A white patch is tolerated on the chest. Fawn marks are often present at the eyebrows, cheeks, chest, ends of limbs and under the tail. The numerous shades of the coat are described by terms such as 'hare coat' (very lightly charcoal fawn), 'wolf grey' (charcoal sand) or 'blue grey' (charcoal fawn blue).

The breed is prone to gastric torsion and the meal must therefore be followed by a rest period or served in two portions.

Brushing and carding three to four times a year is sufficient to maintain its coat and remove dead hair. The rather fragile ears should be cleaned and stripped carefully.