griffon

¹ American  

[grif-uhn] / ˈgrɪf ən /

noun

1. a vulture of the genus Gyps, especially G. fulvus, of southern Europe.

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griffon ² American  

[grif-uhn] / ˈgrɪf ən /

noun

1. any of several varieties of the Brussels griffon differing from each other in coloration or in the texture of the coat.

2. Also called wirehaired pointing griffon.  one of a Dutch breed of medium-sized dogs having a coarse, steel-gray or grayish-white coat with chestnut markings, used for pointing and retrieving birds.

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griffon ¹ British  

/ ˈɡrɪfən /

noun

1. any of various small wire-haired breeds of dog, originally from Belgium

2. any large vulture of the genus Gyps, of Africa, S Europe, and SW Asia, having a pale plumage with black wings: family Accipitridae (hawks)

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griffon ² British  

/ ˈɡrɪfən /

noun

1. a variant of griffin 1

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Etymology

Origin of griffon¹

1350–1400; Middle English griffoun < French; griffin ¹

Origin of griffon²

1820–30; < French; akin to griffin ¹

Example Sentences

A weirdo dog lets you “show your individuality,” said Terence Nelson, 38, an influencer marketing strategist in New York whose fuzzy Brussels griffon, Sue, is a dead ringer for an Ewok.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sometimes resembling a distinguished countryman with a well-kept beard, Brussels griffons can make good apartment dogs as long as their owners are willing to keep up a good, active routine for them.

From Los Angeles Times

But a petit basset griffon Vendéen took best in show for the first time last year, as did a bloodhound in 2022.

From Seattle Times

A further 15 griffon vultures will be brought over from Spain and released to the wild next year.

From Seattle Times

Buddy Holly, a petit basset griffon Vendéen, took the top prize at the Westminster Dog Show.

From New York Times