Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

In my own words

I may be small of name, but I am by no means small of nature. In fact I’m a veritable little ball of energy and I challenge you to keep up with me. Think I might be too much to handle? Never fear, as long as you remember to take me on my daily walks I should tire myself out by the evening. Affable and cheeky, I spread happiness wherever I go. You’ll see that my cheer is truly infectious and I’ll do the best that I can to brighten up your day, even if it means making you laugh at my antics.

There is nothing that I love more than family play sessions and wrestling with my favourite chewy toys. I’m quick to befriend children and adults alike and even the occasional stranger. That being said, it’s probably best to keep me away from non-canine pets. Sorry, those hunting genes can really kick in and before you know it I’ll be chasing rabbits for miles. Please don’t leave me alone for too long, as I love human affection and attention and get lonely easily. Come and play with me!

 

Information essential about the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

Kennel Club Group:

Hound

Size:

Small: Weight Male 31 – 40 lb (14 – 18 kg) Female 31 – 40 lb (14 – 18 kg)

Height Male 13 – 15” (34 – 38 cm) Female 13 – 15” (34 – 38 cm)

 

Popularity:

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a very popular breed in France. While less common in the USA and UK, it is steadily gaining in popularity.

 

 

Breed History:

Originating in 16th century France, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (PBGV) was bred to hunt small game by scent. Capable of hunting in any type of weather as well as over any type of terrain, it is the smallest of the four hounds that come from the Vendee region of Western France.

Bred directly from the white Southern Hound and rough-coated dogs from Italy, there are two varieties of the Basset Griffon Vendeen. While they originally occurred in the same litters, the breeding of these two varieties has been separated into two distinct breeds since the 1970’s- the Grand and the Petit. Cross breeding is now forbidden, yet puppies of both sizes are sometimes born in a single litter. As it’s name implies, the PBGV is smaller in size than the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen.

Better suited to city living than larger Basset Griffon breeds, the PBGV is bound to become a lively member of the family.

 

Character:

Your Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen makes for an extremely vivacious companion. Compact and hardy, they are constantly seeking adventure and will give you a real run for your money (it goes without mentioning that it’s best to keep an eye on this explorer). You’re never really alone when a PBGV is in the house. They love attention and affection, and will quickly tire of being left alone. That being said, your little friend does still appreciate having their own space, especially if a few chewy toys are thrown into the mix. Unfortunately if they get bored they will become destructive (say goodbye to your garden) so it is integral to ensure that your PBGV is walked daily and given the attention that they need. A very active breed, they thrive when outside as well as in family play sessions. Extremely friendly by nature, they will become a little ray of sunshine in the house. While they are great with children and other dogs, due to their hunting genes their social skills do not extend to non-canine pets. Similarly, it is best to keep your PBGV on a tight leash when walking unless you want to lose them to the hunt. While they are relatively easy to train they do tend to have a mind of their own and can be very cheeky when not kept in check.

 

Temperament:

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is an extremely happy and vivacious dog. A real pleasure to be around, they thrive on human attention and are always getting up to mischief. Whilst intelligent and charming they can also prove to be very wilful. A PBGV that is provided with the proper amount of mental and physical exercise, along with strong leadership, will be less likely to get into trouble. Training can be hard work and it is very important to assert your dominance at an early stage. Much of this breed’s behaviour reflects their heritage as hunting hound and resultantly they love to dig and will chase anything in sight. Lively, active and robust they are always on the alert. Great with other dogs, adults and children alike, the PBGV’s friendly nature makes them a great choice for young families and active seniors alike. In fact, they are sure to charm anyone they come into contact with.

 

Conformation:

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a small, low to the ground dog that is roughly twice as long as it is tall. They should have narrow, rounded heads with dark, oval-shaped eyes. They are recognisable due to their distinctive bushy eyebrows, moustaches and beards as well as their long feathered ears. They should have a large black nose with wide nostrils and teeth that meet in a scissor or level bite. The tail is medium in length, set high and carried with jaunty pride. The long outer coat should be harsh to the touch, with a thick short undercoat. The outer coat is naturally un-kept in appearance, and provides protection when hunting in thick brush while the dense under coat and provides warmth.

 

Colour:

The GBGV can be white with lemon, orange, black, tricolour or grizzle

Training:

With their intelligence and desire to please, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is relatively easy to train. However, it is integral that they learn who is dominant from an early age and socialisation and basic obedience are recommended. This is a dog that needs firm leadership and training should be done with fairness, patience, repetition, consistency and reward.

 

Care:

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen requires weekly brushing to remove loose and dead hair, while bathing should be done when necessary. Properly groomed this breed sheds little to no hair. Nails need to be clipped regularly and ears and teeth should be checked and cleaned on a consistent basis. Don’t forget to peek under those long ears occasionally for signs of infection

Health:

The lifespan of a healthy Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is between 12-14 years, which is normal for a dog of this size. However, some live for as long as 15 years. If you buy from a reputable, responsible breeder, health problems should not occur. However, if your PBGV does achieve a good old age, the normal complaints that we all suffer from, such as arthritis and failing eyesight may begin to develop. The PBGV is generally considered to be a hardy, healthy dog, relatively free from hereditary and congenital problems. Epilepsy has been known to occur in the breed, although selective breeding has reduced the occurrence. Hip and elbow dysplasia can also occur, and it is a good idea to get your puppy hip and elbow scored if you are thinking of breeding later on. Because dysplastic dogs often produce dysplastic puppies, buyers should ask if both the sire and the dam of the puppy in which they are interested have been rated clear of hip dysplasia. Do not take yes for an answer without seeing a certificate, and ask for a copy to take to your veterinarian. Other problems can include patella luxation, where the kneecap slips in and out of place. Despite these concerns, if you are careful who you buy from, your Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen should give you many years of good health, fun and loving companionship.

 

 

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