UTILIZATION:
Scenthound for hunting with the gun of large game,
and also of fox and hare, usually working in a small pack.Classification F.C.I. Groupe 6 : Scenthounds and related breeds.
Section 1.2 : Medium-sized hounds with working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: It is the only breed keeping this name "Briquet" which signifies "medium-sized dog". Selection dates from before the first World War by the Comte d'Elva. It is a harmonious and improved reduction of the Grand Griffon Vendéen, distinguished, rather stocky in its construction. Decimated several times because of wars, the Briquet type reappeared in Fontenay le Comte (Vendée) in 1946. At present one finds numerous subjects of quality; a team of Briquets won the trophy of France on roe deer in 1995 and numerous teams are unleashed on wild boar.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: Griffon of medium size, receptive and very determined. Rather stocky and well proportioned.
BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT:
Behavior: Fine nose; fast dog with pleasant voice, does not refuse bramble; very nimble on rough terrain, hunts rather with nose to the wind.
Temperament: It takes a lot of initiative, has stamina and is robust. It must be equally good at working a cold track, at starting game and at driving it. The Briquet is a passionate hunter; it is up to his master to make him obey.
HEAD
Cranial Region: Quite light, the lines of the skull and the muzzle should be parallel.
Skull : Slightly domed, rather short, not very broad.
Stop : Well defined.
FACIAL REGION
NECK:
Long and elegant, without dewlap.
HINDQUARTERS:
Well developed, vertical and parallel.
Feet:
Not too strong, pads hard, the toes well arched
and tight, the nails solid. A good pigmentation of pads and nails is
desirable.
GAIT/MOVEMENT:
Active and supple, not jerky nor bouncy. SKIN:
Rather a little thick but supple. Often marbled in
the tricolour subjects. No dewlap.
Body:
Stern:
Quarters:
Behavior:
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Nose:
Strong, black except for the white and orange coats
where the brown colour is tolerated; well open nostrils.
Lips :
Not too developed, but covering well the lower
jaw; covered with abundant moustaches.
Eyes:
Dark, large and lively, the eyebrows well pronounced
but not covering the eye. The conjunctiva must not be apparent.
Leathers:
Supple, narrow and fine, covered with long hair,
ending in a point, well turned inwards and not reaching the end of the
muzzle, set low, below the level of the eye.
Muzzle:
Straight, rather short, practically of equal length
with that of the skull, not too broad at its extremity.
Jaws/Teeth:
Scissor bite. Incisors set square to
the jaws.
BODY
Back:
Solid and short, straight or very slightly rising.
Loin:
Straight, muscled and well coupled.
Chest:
Not too wide, quite deep, reaching the
level of the elbow.
Ribs:
moderately rounded.
Flank :
Full. Underline very slightly raised towards the rear.
TAIL :
Thick at the base, tapering progressively, set high,
sabre carriage, but never as a sickle; rather short.
LIMBS
Forequarters:
Quarters quite strong but without being heavy,
vertical and parallel.
Shoulder:
Long, clean and slanting.
Elbow:
Low set and close to the body
Forearm:
Strong bone structure and straight.
Thigh:
Long and muscled.
Hock joint:
Large and well let down. Seen from the back, never
cow-hocked nor bandy-legged. Seen in profile, angle of hock moderate.
COAT
Hair:
Long without exaggeration, sometimes bushy, harsh
to the touch; undercoat well furnished; the belly and the inside of the
thighs must not be bare; eyebrows well pronounced but not covering the eye.
Colour:
Black with white spotting (white and black). Black
with tan markings (black and tan). Black with light tan markings. Fawn with white
spotting (white and orange). Fawn with black mantle and white spotting
(tricolour). Fawn with black overlay. Pale fawn with black overlay and white
spotting. Pale fawn with black overlay. Traditional names: hare colour,
wolf colour, badger colour or wild boar colour.
female : from 48 cm to 53 cm
male: from 50 cm to 55 cm
with a tolerance of 1 cm more or less.
FAULTS:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the
seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact
proportion to its degree.
Head:
• Too strong, recalling that of the Grand Vendéeen
• Depigmentation of the nose, lips or eyelids
• Muzzle too long
• Pincer bite
• Light eye
• Leathers too long, flat, smooth haired and high set.
• Cylindrical or whippety
• Back not firm enough
• Slanting Croup.
• Too long or deviated.
• Insufficient bone
• Angulation too straight
• Splayed feet
• Toes not tight enough.
Coat:
• Insufficiently dense, hair fine.
• Timid subject.
ELIMINATING FAULTS
• Lack of type.
• Prognathism (overshot or undershot mouth).
• Wall eye. Eye of different colours (Heterochromia).
• Lack of space in the sternal region; ribs too narrow towards the lower end.
• Kinky tail.
• Woolly coat.
• Self-coloured coat black or white.
• Important depigmentation.
• Size outside the standard.
• Noticeable invalidating defect. Anatomical malformation.
• Fearful or aggressive subject.
N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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