Temperament: Alert, Happy, Vivacious
- Height: 13-15 inches
- Weight: 25-40 pounds
- Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
- Group: Hound Group
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a vivacious small French hunting hound known for a happy demeanor and durable constitution. Bred to work in a pack, PBGVs enjoy company and do well with other dogs and kids.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a French scent hound developed first and foremost to hunt small game over the rough and difficult terrain of the Vendéen region. To function efficiently, he must be equipped with certain characteristics. He is bold and vivacious in character; compact, tough and robust in construction. He has an alert outlook, lively bearing and a good voice freely and purposefully used.
About the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
A loose translation of the name describes the dog well: Petit (small), Basset (low), Griffon (rough-coated), Vendéen (from the Vendée region of France). Put it all together and you have a diminutive hound, standing 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder, with short but strong legs and a rough tousled coat, bred to hunt rabbits on the rugged west coast of France. Other distinctive features of these little extroverts are a proudly carried head, a saber tail, and a loud, hound bark.
NUTRITION The PBGV should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some PBGVs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
GROOMING The coat of a PBGV is one of its most distinctive qualities, but can be a source of frustration for those unaccustomed to dealing with it. It should be harsh and thick—some liken it to the hair of a goat. Your PBGV should have a complete brushing-out at least weekly. After brushing, you should be able to run a comb through the coat easily. Trimming should be kept to a minimum. The PBGV’s tousled appearance is part of his charm. Most people follow a bathing/grooming routine on a monthly basis, which includes a good, thorough bath and a nail trim. The ears should be checked weekly, and any excess wax and debris should be removed to avoid infections.
EXERCISE The PBGV is a very active, curious dog who requires a great deal of exercise. He must have plenty of room to wander and explore. The PBGV has an extraordinary sense of smell and an often irresistible urge to follow scents that interest him, so exercising him when outside of his yard should always be done on a leash, as he will be prone to follow his nose and ignore all else. He makes a good companion for a hiker, runner, or biker who enjoys an active partner on jaunts.
TRAINING PBGVs have a reputation for being hard to train. In fact, they are very intelligent, but they tend to have a mind of their own. Socialization and obedience training should begin early and will teach the PBGV to be a good companion and canine citizen. The trainer must stay one step ahead in keeping his dog entertained and interested in what he is trying to teach. It is not that the PBGV is not eager to please; he is. However, his agenda just might be a bit different from your own. And his will seem infinitely more
HEALTH The PBGV is a healthy breed overall, although there are certain conditions that are known to sometimes occur in the breed such as epilepsy and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Fortunately, a genetic test for POAG is available. Be sure to talk to your dog’s breeder about the dog’s POAG status as well as all possible health risks. It is important to purchase a puppy only from a reputable and dedicated breeder who does genetic health testing
on all of their breeding stock.
Recommended Health Tests from the National Breed Club:
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- POAG DNA Testing