Griffon (dog type)

Griffon is a type of dog, a collection of breeds that were originally hunting dogs. There are three lines of the griffon type recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI): the Griffon Vendéens, the wirehaired pointers, and the smousje (Belgian companion dogs or Dutch Smoushond). The griffon type is characterized by rough- or wire-hair.

Griffon
Large Vendéen Griffon Grand Griffon Vendéen
Traits Coat Rough, wire-haired
Dog (domestic dog)

The griffon is mentioned as early as Xenophon.^[1] The hounds, Canis Segusius, used by the Gauls were griffons.^[2] Among the oldest breeds are the Italian Wirehaired Pointing Dog or Spinone Italiano (FCI #165) and the breeds bred by Eduard Karel Korthals originating in the Low Countries (Belgium, Netherlands, northern France) which have a short, bearded muzzle. The smousje, a small dog mentioned since the Middle Ages in the Low Countries known for its firm, even temperament and rough coat, was the initial breeding stock for the Brussels Griffon.^[3][4]

Griffon breeds

Scenthounds

Scenthounds (FCI Group 6, Section 1)

• large size, long hair
  • Grand Griffon Vendéen
• medium size, coarse hair
  • Briquet Griffon Vendéen
  • Griffon Bleu de Gascogne
  • Griffon Fauve de Bretagne
  • Griffon Nivernais
• small size
  • Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen
  • Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
  • Basset Fauve de Bretagne

Pointers

Pointers (FCI Group 7, Section 1)

• Spinone Italiano or Italian Griffon (FCI #165)
  • White-orange Spinone Italiano
  • Chestnut-roan Spinone Italiano
• Wirehaired Pointing Griffon or Korthals Griffon or French Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (FCI #107)
• Český Fousek or Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (FCI #245)
• Slovak Rough-haired Pointer or Slovakian Wiredhaired Pointer or Slovenský Ohař Hrubosrstý or Slovenský Hrubosrsty Stavac (Ohar) (FCI #320)
• German Wirehaired Pointer or Deutsch Drahthaar (FCI #98)
• Drótszőrű Magyar Vizsla or Wirehaired Vizsla or Hungarian Wirehaired Pointer (Vizsla) (FCI #239)
• Stichelhaar or German Roughhaired Pointer

Companion/Toy Dogs

Small Belgian Companion Dogs, "Smousje" (FCI Group 9, Section 3)

• Brussels Griffon or Griffon Bruxellois (FCI #80)
• Belgian Griffon or Griffon Belge (FCI #81)
• Brabancon Griffon or Petit Brabançon (FCI #82) - has a short smooth coat

See also

• Dogs portal
• List of dog breeds