Breed Standard
Head: Fairly long skull, never flat. Pronounced occipital peak. Long, straight or slightly curved nosebridge. Stop not very pronounced in the Brittany Fawn Griffon, more pronounced in the Brittany Fawn Basset. Nose black or dark brown.
Ears: Set on at eye level, nearly reaching the muzzle when outstretched, turning slightly and with a pointed tip. Covered with close-lying hair.
Eyes: Dark brown.
Body: Vigorous. Compact in the Brittany Fawn Basset. Fairly short, muscular neck. Tall, broad chest. Fairly rounded ribs. Slight tuck-up.
Tail: Carried loosely in sickle fashion, medium in length. Thick at the base, tapering toward the tip, often tufted.
Hair: Very hard, crisp, fairly short, never woolly or frizzy. Foreface should never be bushy.
Coat: Fawn. The best shades are wheaten gold and brick red, sometimes with flashings on the chest.
Size: - Brittany Fawn Griffon: dog: 50 to 56 cm (19.7-22 in); bitch: 48 to 52 cm. (19-20.5 in).- Brittany Fawn Basset: 32 to 38 cm. (12.5-15 in).
Weight: - Brittany Fawn Griffon: approx. 23 kg. (51 lb).- Brittany Fawn Basset: approx. 15 kg. (33 lb).
History
The Brittany Fawn, which currently comes in two varieties—the Brittany Fawn Griffon and the Brittany Fawn Basset—is a very ancient breed. It was once used in famous large packs, such as that of Anne de Beaujeu, the daughter of King Louis XI. These spirited, strong-willed, yellowish- and reddish-fawn dogs standing 60 to 65 cm tall were the best wolf hunters around. The breed nearly went extinct in the late nineteenth century, when wolves became scarce. Crossbreeding produced a more lightweight hound, the Brittany Fawn Basset, for which the first standard was established in 1921. The Brittany Fawn Griffon—a medium-sized version of the Great Brittany Fawn—was declared extinct in 1928. But after World War II in 1949, a Medium-sized Brittany Fawn club was created. In 1981, the club saved the breed when it decided to include the Brittany Fawn Griffon (now the breed’s official name), standing 48 to 56 cm tall at the withers, and the Brittany Fawn Basset, standing 32 to 38 cm tall. The rapidly increasing popularity of these varieties, especially the basset, is encouraging.
Behavior
The Brittany Fawn gave its modern-day descendents its hardiness, courage, vigor, spirit, speed, keen nose, strong will, and independent personality. The Brittany Fawn Basset, with his difficult character and stubbornness (crosses with the Vend e Griffon Basset have calmed him down), hunts alone, in pairs, in small groups, or in packs. He works in thickets, and rabbit is his specialty. When well-trained, he makes a good bloodhound. The Brittany Fawn Griffon is a very courageous, excellent pack leader with a glorious voice. He excels at wild boar and fox. Some also use him on hare and deer. Both varieties are calm and affectionate with their owner. These strong-willed hounds need firm training.
He is raised chiefly in packs, is usually kept in a kennel. The Brittany Fawn can live with his owner inside the house or in an outdoor run. Both need space and lots of exercise, as well as regular brushing and attention to the ears.
Function
Hunting Dog, Pet.
Health
No unusual health problems or claims of extraordinary health have been documented for this breed.
