Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Perhaps no other dog name quite describes the exact attributes of a breed the way Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen does. Roughly translated as “small,” “low-to-the-ground,” “rough-coated,” and “Vendéen” (the region of France from which the breed originated), these dogs are active and exuberant, outgoing and very friendly.
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Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Traits
General Appearance
What the PBGV lacks in size, they make up for in stamina. Since the breed historically hunted small game over rough terrain, they are a shorter, compact breed with a robust construction and shaggy, rough fur.
Coat and Coloring
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen has a long, rough outer coat and a thick, shorter undercoat. Their coloring is white with any combination of lemon, orange, black, sable, tricolor, or grizzle markings.
Distinctive Physical Traits
The shaggy PBGV has some endearing character traits like its long eyebrows, ears covered by long hair, and lips covered by a beard and mustache. Although cute, these facial features served a vital purpose back in their hunting days, helping to shield and protect their eyes from harsh undergrowth.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Temperament
The PBGV is considered a happy, active breed with a bubbly personality. They love to entertain and spend time with their families and are friendly toward both people and other dogs. Their hunting instinct is still strong to this day, so any time spent outdoors should be in a contained area or on a leash.
The PBGV is an active breed that requires plenty of exercise and attention to remain happy and healthy. They are known to have a strong sense of humor and an outgoing personality, and they get along well with people and other dogs.
These dogs can be loud at times, and they have a reputation for being difficult to train.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen History
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéens hail from the rough and tumble Vendée region of France, where they came about as headstrong hunters with personalities suited to hard work. The PBGV’s rough coat protected them from the harsh location, while their extra facial hair also served to protect their face from the undergrowth.
The Club du Basset Griffon Vendéen created a breed standard for the PBGV in the early 20th century that included both the Grand and Petit version of the breed. In the 1950s, the PBGV received its official standard and recognition as a separate breed.
Today, the PBGV is still a popular choice to hunt game in France, with different sizes to suit the specific prey they hunt.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Care
Nutrition
Feed your PBGV a high-quality dog food that’s suited to their particular age, activity level, and size, as well as any additional health concerns.
Some members of this breed are prone to gaining weight, so it’s important to monitor the amount of food and treats that you give your PBGV to avoid having them become overweight, especially as they age. Your veterinarian is always a good source to help provide you with appropriate nutrition and feeding guidelines.
Grooming
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen has a fluffy coat that requires a bit of extra care when it comes to grooming. Their fur can be harsh and thick, so brushing through it at least once a week is necessary.
All dogs require regular dental care, including at-home teeth brushing and professional dental cleanings, and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is no exception. Maintaining good dental hygiene is important for their overall long-term health.
Exercise
This active and curious dog requires a lot of exercise and room to explore. As with most hounds, their sense of smell and urge to hunt can get the best of them, so any outdoor activities need to be in a secure location or on a leash.
The PBGV’s robust build makes them excellent candidates for field events like agility, tracking, and scent work.
Training
PBGVs, while cute, have a reputation for being a bit difficult to train. Although they are smart, they are also very independent, and their hunting instinct is strong.
Early training and socialization is important, and, if necessary, enlist a professional trainer to help.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Genetic Health Conditions
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Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (Discovered in Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen)
Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) is a disorder that results in an increase in eye pressure, leading to damage to the optic nerve and retina, and blindness if left untreated.
Knowing if your Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a carrier or at-risk for these conditions can help you and your veterinarian plan for your pup’s lifelong care. With Wisdom Panel™ Premium, you can get results for over 200 genetic health tests.
Breed Group
Hound
The most common ancestral trait of this group is being used for hunting. Some use acute powers of scent to follow a trail while others demonstrate the gift of stamina as they run down a quarry. Beyond these two common traits, however, generalizations about hounds are hard to come by as the group is comprised of a very diverse lot of breeds.
