Overview
The Griffon Nivernais has a look all its own: a long, tousled coat in wolf grey, blue grey or fawn with black overlay, a bushy brow and a serious, slightly sad expression. It is an old breed from the Nivernais region, used in packs to hunt wild boar with persistence rather than speed, and it nearly disappeared before being revived in the last century.
The personality is gentle and a little reserved. These hounds are not clowns; they are steady workers that bond with their family, accept other dogs readily and need to be given a reason to do anything they did not think of themselves.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour and a half a day of steady walking and scent work. The pace is deliberate and the stamina is deep, so distance suits the breed better than sprinting or games.
Rough, wooded ground with plenty of smells is ideal. If you can add a hill or two, the dog will thank you by sleeping all afternoon.
On the walk
- Recall: Stubborn is the honest word. The dog will finish what it started before considering your request.
- Coat: The shaggy coat is a magnet for mud, burrs and brambles. Budget time for brushing after country walks.
- Other dogs: Even-tempered and pack-friendly. Fine with most dogs and not inclined to pick fights.
- Strangers: Reserved rather than suspicious. It will accept a new walker but needs a visit or two to warm up.
Tips for professional walkers
- Visit with the owner before the first walk so the dog knows you.
- Harness and long line in anything but a fenced field.
- Carry a comb for the coat and check for ticks after woodland walks.
- Do not expect haste; let the dog set a steady pace and plan the route around it.
What to ask the owner
- How does the dog take to new people, and what helps it relax with a stranger?
- Has it ever been worked, and how does it react to deer, boar scent and livestock?
- Is there a grooming routine you should follow after muddy walks?