Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen

In my own words

 

Oh, indeed, it’s the country life for me! The wind in my fur, the wide open spaces and the promise of the hunt always on the horizon…what more could a hound want? After all, my breed did originate from the rolling hills of France. So please don’t fence me in a poky house in the city, I need a little space to move in and love to exercise. You’ll find that I’m an excellent scent dog and once I put my superb nose in action, I’ll never lose you. I’m a happy- go-lucky sort and I do love people. Friends or strangers, I’m not fussy I love them all. I love dogs too, but it’s probably best to keep me away from other small pets. I can’t help it; sometimes those hunting genes just kick in unannounced. In fact, I can be a little stubborn at have been told that I’m by no means naturally obedient. Consider yourself warned.

While I may be proud and fiercely independent, I‘m also very loving and affectionate and make for a great companion (if I don’t say so myself).

Information essential about the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen

 

Kennel Club Group:

Hound

Size:

Medium: Weight Male 40 – 44 lb (18 – 20 kg) Female 40 – 44 lb (18 – 20 kg)

Height Male 15 – 17” (40 – 44 cm) Female 15 – 17” (40 – 43 cm)

Popularity:

 

 

Like the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, the Grand Basset remains extremely popular in France while its popularity is growing in the UK and US.

 

Breed History:

 

Originating from Vendee in the western region of France, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen can be traced back to the 16th century. 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.

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen (GBGV) is the ancestor of the Griffon Vendeen, with the GBGV being bred slightly smaller in size in order to cope with the thick undergrowth of the French countryside. Originally bred as hunting dogs, GBGV’s have maintained a keen sense of smell and are still used, as individuals or in packs, to hunt wild boar, deer and to scent rabbit and hare.

The cheerful plucky nature of the GBGV makes for an ideal family companion

Character:

 

Your GBGV can be a mischievous little thing, so be prepared for some intensive training sessions. They must be handled firmly from a young age to ensure that they understand the boundaries of family life. That being said they are a very intelligent breed and will astound you with their how quick they are to learn. Willing to please, but very independent, your GBGV has a highly inquisitive nature. Stifled by the confines of city living, your Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen will flourish in the countryside. They are not a dog that is well suited to small spaces and crave the open fields from which they originated. Active and lively, your hound’s energy knows no bounds so you may struggle to keep up on those long country walks. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeens are hunters at heart and will be quick to chase the nearest prey once let off their leads. However, thanks to their superb nose they will always be quick to return to their fretting owner. It should be noted that this strong sense of smell also means that they will require a well-fenced garden and a tight leash should you wish to keep them close at hand. Very social by nature, GBGVs have fast become known for their affable characters. Your dog will not only get on well with you and your family, but also friends, strangers and everyone in between.

Temperament:

 

A happy-go-lucky dog, GBGVs just love to be active. Energetic and always keen for a run in the fields, these hounds are quite simply made for country life and are in their element when running wild and free after a rogue hare or rabbit. It may seem like they just can’t set still, but they should be sated after lengthy daily walks. Intelligent and always exploring, their keen sense of loyalty (not to mention smell) means that they will never stray from their owner for too long. In fact, they crave human attention so would not be suited to being left alone for long periods of time. Great with other dogs, adults and children alike, their friendly nature makes them a great choice for young families. This being said, their strong hunting instincts mean that Grand Basset Griffon Vendeens unfortunately can’t always be trusted around non-canine pets. GBGVs are very independent and although they always aim to please, they aren't naturally obedient so potential owners need patience and tolerance.

Conformation:

 

The GBGV is a medium sized, strong scent hound that is characterised by the shaggy hair over its eyebrows, beard and moustache. They are approximately 50% longer than they are tall. It should appear to be a well-balanced, short-legged dog and have a longer muzzle and ears than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. The jaws should be strong with a perfect scissor bite and the top teeth closely overlapping the bottom teeth. The eyes, framed by the signature longhaired eyebrows, should be large and dark with no white showing. The ears should be covered with long hair and fall well below eye level and the neck should be long and strong. The GBGV’s elbows are set close to the body, which features a deep chest with a level topline. The tail should is set high on the body and carried proudly. The coat is rough and harsh on top with a thick undercoat and should not trimmed for showing purposes.

Colour:

 

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

Training:

 

While the GBGV is energetic and independent, they are not naturally obedient. They require consistent training and socialisation, especially throughout adolescence and it is integral that they are taught to know who is boss in their family situation. They do need a secure garden as they will be off if they get the scent of small game.

Care:

 

Health:

 

The lifespan of a healthy individual 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 GBGV 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 GBGV 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 Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen should give you many years of good health, fun and loving companionship.

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