Basset Griffon Vendeen Petit Dog Breed

History

There are records of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen that date back as far as the 1800s when they were bred to hunt. These beautiful and happy dogs hail from a region known as the Vendee in France.

Two sizes were developed that could be found in one litter of puppies – the Grand and the Petit. It wasn’t until the 1970s that crossing the two sizes was forbidden. Throughout the 19th century, many breed enthusiasts promoted these dogs in other countries. These included the Couteulx family and Le Compte d’Elva. Ernest Ambaud, another breed enthusiast, exhibited rough-coated hounds that he produced through careful, selective breeding with the end goal of eliminating both smooth-coated and silky-coated hounds from litters. A hound called Castilleau was his favourite stud dog. Meanwhile, Compte d’Elva became one of the main breed enthusiasts who establish the standard for the Basset Griffon Vendeen, which earned him the title of the Father of the breed.

In 1896, the Club du Basset Francais was founded, with Compte d’Elva as the president. Unfortunately, during the First World War, the breed suffered in numbers, but thanks to the efforts and attempts of huntsmen in France, their numbers were restored.

Over the ensuing years, the breed standard was amended many times, and during the post-war years, separate breed standards were drawn up for both the Grand and Petit hound. It was during this time that Petit Basset Griffons and Grand Basset Griffons could not be registered as being from the same litter.

Until today, the Basset Griffon Vendeen Petit has continued to prove itself to be a very skilled hunter. However, they are also now growing in popularity as canine companions.

Appearance

The Basset Griffon Vendeen Petit is a medium-sized, well-balanced dog. They are longer in body than they are tall. These charming dogs have a very noble look that is boosted by how they carry their heads.

Their heads are dome-shaped with well-developed occipital bones and a well-defined stop. Their muzzles are squared with a slightly Roman nose and wide nostrils. They generally have black noses. However, dogs with lemon or orange markings may have brown noses.

These dogs have well-developed lips, which enhance the square appearance of the muzzle. The muzzles themselves are well-covered in long hair that forms a prominent moustache and beard. They have large, oval-shaped eyes which are dark in colour, and long eyebrows. Their narrow ears are covered in long, fine hair. They also fold inward with oval tips.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen’s have strong jaws that form a perfect scissor bite. The strong, muscular neck is set well into the shoulders. They also boast well-boned, straight front legs. In addition, they have long backs with a level topline and well-muscled loins. Their deep brisket is broad and has a prominent fore chest.

Their ribs are well-rounded and let right down to the level of the elbows. Their flanks are quite deep, and their hindquarters are muscular, strong, and well-boned. The back legs are heavily muscled with well-defined second thighs. They have large feet with tight, firm pads and short, strong nails. Their tails are nicely feathered, long, and set high. They can be carried somewhat curved but never over the back.

The Basset Griffon Vendeen Petit’s coat is moderately long, coarse, and lays flat on the body. Their undercoat is thick. Excessively trimmed or stylised coats are not accepted under the UK breed standard. Accepted coat colours are as follows:

Grizzle and White
Lemon and White
Orange and White
Sable and White
Tricolour

Personality

The Basset Griffon Vendeen Petit has a beautiful, gentle, charming, and playful demeanour. Not only do they have masses of personality, but they are also intelligent. Moreover, they are outgoing, confident, and love nothing more than hunting, tracking, and other exercises that stimulate their natural need to be on the move.

These dogs are very even-tempered. However, they are incredibly willful, independent, and stubborn. So, they are not the best option for first-time dog owners because they need an experienced owner that can offer them consistent training based on their unique needs.

That said, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens can make excellent family pets and canine companions for the right owners. These active dogs need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to thrive. They are also known to be skilled escape artists so a secure, fenced garden is a must. With their happy demeanours and insatiable zest for life, these dogs are a great choice for active families.

Trainability

Basset Griffon Vendeen Petit’s are highly intelligent dogs. However, they are independent and can sometimes be challenging to train. Because of this, these energetic dogs must be handled, guided, and trained by someone who knows and understands them.

Their training and education must start as early as possible and must be consistent. Moreover, they need to know their place in a pack to prevent them from displaying their dominant side. Respect training is more important than anything else when it comes to training a Basset Griffon Vendeen Petit. These dogs do not respond well to harsh training methods. Keep training sessions short, fun, and filled with praise and positive reinforcement to get the most out of this breed.

Socialise them as early as possible as well. This means introducing them to as many new situations, new people, animals, and pets as possible, to help them grow into well-rounded, obedient, well-balanced, and mature dogs.

Coat & Care

The Basset Griffon Vendeen Petit has a medium-length double coat that requires brushing 1-2 times a week. This helps to eliminate any dead hair or dirt that can cling to their fur. As mentioned, the PBGV also boasts charming moustaches and beards which need extra care to keep them clean because they can get messy when the dog is eating or drinking. While these dogs don’t need trimming, it would help to keep their moustaches and beards tidy and clean with a trim every so often.

Moreover, it’s recommended that you get your Basset Griffon Vendeen Petit professionally hand stripped a couple of times a year to prevent excess matting. Like other breeds, they shed more during Spring and Autumn. So, more frequent brushing is needed during these periods.

To prevent bad breath and tooth and gum diseases, daily teeth brushing is ideal. Although twice a week brushing is adequate enough to prevent tartar or bacteria buildup. Ask your veterinarian for the best products to effectively clean your dog's teeth, mouth, gums, and tongue.

Their ears must be examined often to make sure they are kept dry and free of any dirt or debris. Use a clean cloth or cotton ball and a vet-approved ear cleaner once a week to clean them. Symptoms of an ear infection include redness, swelling, or behavioural changes such as regular head shaking. If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, you should book a consultation with your vet right away because these can be difficult to treat if left to fester.

Their nails must be trimmed often to keep them healthy. Around once a month is ideal. If you’re unsure how to trim your dog's nails, speak to a vet or professional groomer for advice.

Lastly, look over their whole body as you clean or groom them to check for any tenderness, wounds, and other signs that your PBGV may have an infection or other health problem. Examine their eyes as well to see if they are clean, clear, and healthy without any irritation or discharge.

Health

The Basset Griffon Vendeen Petit can live for up to 15 years if they are provided with appropriate care and a high-quality diet. Make sure you only purchase puppies from a licensed breeder because they will be able to perform DNA tests to check for any underlying health issues.

These active dogs are known to be a healthy breed, but the PBGV may suffer from some of the following conditions:

Epilepsy – A neurological disease where the brain experiences abrupt, abnormal, synchronous, or excessive electrical activity, leading to seizures. This condition can be managed with medication.
Glaucoma – An irreversible eye condition characterized by degenerative changes of the retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve.
Hypothyroidism – A relatively common endocrine disorder caused by an underactive thyroid. This condition causes bodily functions to slow down, so an affected dog may experience symptoms such as hair loss, lethargy, and behavioural changes.
Pancreatitis – This occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed, tender, or swollen.
Craniomandibular osteopathy – This is the result of bone swelling during the growth of the bones in the skull and jaw.
Hip dysplasia – A growth condition that causes the hip joint to loosen. Over time, the cartilage and bone of the hip can wear down, leading to pain and potential arthritis.

Children & Other Pets

The Basset Griffon Vendeen Petit adores being around children. With their outgoing and happy characters, these charming dogs are definitely a joy to be around. But because they can sometimes be a little too boisterous, adult supervision is a must to ensure that nobody gets injured.

These active dogs are known to get on well with other dogs, provided that they are well-socialised from a young age. However, because of their origin as hunting dogs, they are not suitable for homes with smaller pets such as cats and rabbits.