The Griffon Nivernais, also known as the Chien de Pays, is a breed of dog used in hunting. It is of the scent hound type and it is built to track the prey by its nose and not by its speed or sight. It hunts either in packs or individually. It was used to hunt large game such as bears or wolves. Gradually, it becomes a reconstruction of the ancient hounds from the Nivernais region.
The Griffon Nivernais is a medium-sized dog with an unpretentious appearance. It has a robust constitution and a muscular body. The skull is flat with a short forehead. The muzzle is as long as the skull. The nose is black with wide nostrils and the eyes are dark. The ears are long, floppy and well covered with hair. The neck is strong and thick and the back is long and solid. Its body is longer than the others and narrow. The chest is wide, but finely defined. The legs are long and stable and the tail is carried up most of the time. Its body is built for endurance and stability rather than for speed.
The body is covered with a distinctive fur that gives the impression of a rustic, unsophisticated dog. Its coat is rough and appears grizzled. Each hair is dark at the base and lighter at the tip. The colors of the coat may vary, but in general, they are fawn with black markings, sable with black markings and fawn with blue markings. Sometimes, they have a white spot on the chest. There are no differences between males and females. They all are 21.7 to 23. 6 inches tall (55 to 60 cm).
This hound is very courageous and independent. It is willing to please its master as long as the activity suits it fine. However, it becomes very obedient if it is trained from an early stage. It is known as an excellent hunter, with a good nose and a melodious voice. Due to its duty, it may be sometimes dominant and bossy. It needs a powerful owner who can guide it. It is more suitable for the experienced owners, because it can become difficult to handle if the owner is not strict and patient.
These dogs are really intelligent and they can be very sociable if they get used with this activity as puppies. They do well as pets, but they need a huge amount of exercises. They can live as a single pet, but they would be grateful if they had another companion. They need a lot of space to live in and a large yard or a farm is perfect for them. They can also stay outside and manage to handle weather changes. However, they do not tolerate hot weather. They like to bark and to be the centre of attention, especially when they hunt.
They are extremely healthy and they do not need any special care other than regular brushing and occasional washing. The owner must wash them only when they are very dirty because frequent bathing will remove the natural oils of the coat.
All in all, the Griffon Nivernais is perfect for the active persons who are willing to offer it a fun, dynamic life.
