Basset Griffon Vendeen Grand Breed

History

There are records of the Basset Griffon Vendeen that date as far back as the early 1800s, stating they were bred to hunt in the Vendee region of France. Their name roughly translates to ‘large, low, shaggy dogs of the Vendee’. Two sizes were developed, the Grand and the Petit, and both sizes could be found in a litter of puppies. It was not until the 1970s that crossing the two sizes was prohibited.

From 1863, short-legged, Basset-type hounds were shown in France at the very first dog show held in Paris. In the early years, there was no distinction between harsh and smooth-coated varieties. However, a select number of dedicated breeders were determined to change this. One of the most prominent breeders was Comte le Couteulx de Canteleu who contacted other enthusiasts around the world, including the Chairman of the British Kennel Club, Mr. S Shirley. He wrote several books on hunting and was dedicated to refining the French hunting dog through selective breeding.

Ernest Ambaud was another enthusiast who carefully and selectively chose his breeding dogs to produce rough-coated hounds and eliminate both silky-coated and smooth-coated hounds from the litter. Castilleau was his favourite stud dog that helped him achieve his goals.

By 1870, a breeder known as Le Comte de Elva perfected the look and stamina of his pack of hounds by breeding a female Basset Griffon with a fauve-coloured male Basset de Bretagne. The resulting dogs had a rough, shaggy coat that is now a trademark of the Basset Griffon Vendeen breeds.

In 1896, the Club du Basset was established, and Compte d’Elva was the president. Unfortunately, during the First World War, the breed suffered like many other breeds and dipped in numbers. But thanks to the efforts of huntsmen in France, the Basset Griffon Vendeen was restored. Over the years, the breed standard was amended a number of times, and in the post-war years, separate breed standards were made and established for the Petit and Grand hound.

These dogs appeared on the American show scene as a fully recognised breed in 1991. Since then, they have steadily grown in popularity worldwide.

Appearance

The Basset Griffon Vendeen is a medium-sized dog that is longer in the body than they are tall. They are well-balanced and have a noble look about them, enhanced by the way they carry their dome-shaped heads. They have a square muzzle and have a bit of a Roman nose and wide nostrils that adds to their dignified appearance. Their noses are black, with the exception of dogs with white/orange or white/lemon coats, as their noses are brown in colour.

They have well-developed lips that enhance the square look of their muzzles. Their muzzle itself is well-covered in long hair that forms a moustache and beard. Their oval-shaped eyes are large and dark in colour. They have long eyebrows that stand up, so their oval-shaped eyes are not hidden. Their narrow ears are covered in long, fine hair and fold inward with oval tips.

The Basset Griffon Vendeen Grand has strong jaws with a perfect scissor bite. The neck is set well into their strong, well-laid-back shoulders. The brisket is broad and deep with a prominent fore chest. Moreover, they have long backs with well-muscled loins and a level topline.

Their well-rounded ribs run right down to the level of the elbow. They have flanks that are quite deep and hindquarters that are muscular, well-boned, and strong. Their back legs are heavily muscled, and they have well-defined muscular second thighs. The Basset Griffon Vendeen Grand has large feet with firm, tight pads, and short nails. Their well-feathered tails are long, set high, and thicker at the base. It tapers very gradually to the tip and is carried slightly curved but never over the back.

The Basset Griffon Vendeen’s top coat is moderately long and lays flat on the body. Their softer undercoat is thick and dense. Coat colours accepted under the UK breed standard are as follows:

Tricolour
A white base with lemon, orange, sable, grizzle, and black markings

Personality

Known to be an intelligent hound dog, the Basset Griffon Vendeen Grand is calm, sociable, and charming. They have outgoing, confident personalities that match their great stamina. These dogs need plenty of exercise to thrive. They don’t tire out easily!

Basset Griffon Vendeen’s are very well-balanced dogs with an even disposition. However, they are not the best choice for first-time owners because they can be independent and stubborn which makes training a little tricky. Start training from puppyhood and remain consistent. These dogs need a handler who understands their unique needs. It’s advisable to keep your dog on a lead until fully recall trained because Basset Griffon Vendeen Grand’s have a strong hunting instinct that can see them dashing off after an enticing scent at a moment’s notice.

If these dogs are not given the right amount of physical and mental stimulation, boredom can kick in. They can be pretty vocal so might not be a good choice for apartment dwellers. They also need a secure, fenced garden to romp around in because they are known to be great escape artists.

They may sound all serious, but these charming dogs have a fun-loving, playful side. They like to entertain their families and be entertained as well. They can also be mischievous when the mood strikes them, especially when they pick up an interesting scent outdoors.

Trainability

The Basset Griffon Vendeen Grand is independent in nature, which can make them a little challenging to train. But in the right hands and with the right method of training, they can be taught to follow commands. Short, fun sessions using positive reinforcement training are the best way to train these dogs. Respect training is essential as they won’t tolerate harsh training methods. Patience, consistency, and understanding are the keys to successfully training a Basset Griffon Vendeen Grand. If you are struggling, obedience classes are a great option for this breed. You can also use their impressive scenting ability to your advantage! Devise hide and seek games with scent and stimulate their natural hunting instincts to keep boredom at bay and increase the canine-human bond.

Training and socialisation must begin as soon as you get your puppy home for the best results. These dogs need to understand who the alpha in the house is to prevent them from exhibiting their dominant side. Introduce puppies to many new environments, situations, people, and animals to grow up as well-balanced, confident, and outgoing dogs.

Coat & Care

Basset Griffon Vendeen Grand’s have medium to long, shaggy double coats. However, they are fairly low maintenance in the grooming department. They only need a weekly brush with a firm slicker brush to keep their coats healthy and in tiptop condition. This is important to eliminate any dead hair or dirt they may have picked out while walking outdoors. These lovely dogs have beards and moustaches that you need to keep an eye on because they can get dirty or messy when your dog eats or drinks. The coat generally doesn’t need trimming, but their moustaches and beards might require a little trim every now and then.

Having your Basset Griffon Vendeen professionally hand-stripped a couple of times a year is essential to keep the coat in good condition and mat free. Like other dog breeds, they shed more during Spring and Autumn, so more frequent brushing will be needed during these seasons.

Daily teeth brushing is the best way to avoid tooth and gum diseases and bad breath. However, twice a week brushing is enough to remove any tartar and bacteria buildup. Ask your vet for advice on the best dental products based on your dog's individual needs.

Trim their nails once or twice a month (or as needed) to keep them tidy and in good condition. Make sure you do this frequently to prevent very long nails because this can cause your dog significant discomfort. While you trim their nails, examine their paw pads for any injuries, swelling, or redness.

Regularly examine your dog’s ears for debris, dirt, and wax buildup. You can wipe their ears weekly using a damped cotton ball and an ear cleanser recommended by your vet. Bear in mind, that you should never push cotton swabs into the ear canal because this can damage them. If you observe any foul smell, soreness, swelling, inflammation, or they constantly shake or scratch their head and ears, tell your vet about it during a checkup, because these are common signs of an ear infection.

Furthermore, inspect the body as you groom your Basset Griffon Vendeen Grand for any inflammation, rashes, wounds, and other signs that they may have an infection or illness. Your dog’s eyes must be healthy, clean, and clear without redness or discharge.

Health

Basset Griffon Vendeen Grands are generally robust dogs as long as they are well cared for and given sufficient exercise and mental stimulation. Always purchase a new puppy from a licensed breeder to ensure they have been appropriately socialised, weaned, and DNA tested for any underlying health conditions.

Some of the health conditions seen in Basset Griggon Vendeen Grands include:

Epilepsy – An irregular, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain that causes seizures. This is a hereditary disorder, so it's crucial to get your Basset Griffon Vendeen from a reputable breeder. The condition can’t be cured but it can be controlled with medication.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) – A group of degenerative eye diseases that affect the photoreceptor cells of the eyes. This causes progressive blindness.
Luxating patella – A condition where the dog’s kneecap shifts out of alignment. You may notice your dog performing a hop or a skip on three legs before returning to normal. Mild cases often don’t cause any major issues. However, more serious cases may require surgery.
Hip Dysplasia – An abnormal formation of the hip socket that can lead to lameness and arthritis of the joint.

Children & Other Pets

The Basset Griffon Vendeen Grand is a good choice for families with children, as long as you have the time commitment to devote to their intense exercise needs. However, supervision is required, especially with young children, to prevent any incidents. These dogs are generally very tolerant of children but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Living under one roof with other pets is feasible with a Basset Griffon Vendeen. However, you need to ensure that they are properly introduced in a controlled and safe environment. These dogs are not highly territorial, so they generally get along well with other dogs. However, care should be taken with smaller animals such as cats and rodents because of their high predator drives.