Origin
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is a very ancient breed of the hound type that was developed in France since Roman times. The name describes their physical appearance: ‘Grand’- large, ‘Basset’- low to the grand, ‘Griffon’- rough-coated, and ‘Vendeen’ (pronounced as von-day-an)- which means from the Vendee area of France.
They were used before to hunt boar, deer, and to track rabbits and hares. Technically, the Basset Griffon Vendeen come in four sizes.
The Grand (Large), Briquet (Medium) breeds are recognized in the UK.
Originally only one Basset breed was recognized however, a provision was made for the two sizes of Basset Griffon Vendeen in 1907 with the founding of the Basset Griffon Vendeen Club.
It was not until 1976, with M. Desamy’s persuasion, that the interbreeding of the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen (GBGV) and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (PBGV) was banned.
From then on, the Petit and Grand varieties were bred separately.
Traits and Behavior
A Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is a happy and independent dog. It is the perfect helper for a person who loves to hunt in moderately difficult terrain. It is the fastest of all Basset breeds. It is tenacious, brave and is willing to work but sometimes it could become a bit stubborn.
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen can be somewhat reserved with strangers but can be affectionate and devoted to its human family. Like many other hounds, they can tend to bark. Being a good family dog, it can get along well with other household pets only if it was socialized starting at an early age.
Pet Care and Diseases
According to the survey of the UK Club in 2007, the leading causes of death in this breed were cancer (33%), old age (24%), and cardiac (7%).
The GBGV has plenty of stamina and needs regular exercise. They should be taken on daily long walks.
When walking, avoid brushy thickets that can tangle the coat. Be sure to have the dog heeling beside or behind the person on the lead. Provide it with a wide area outside the house where they can run and play.
The front yard must be fenced so it wouldn’t be tempted to roam around the neighborhood.
The coat is smooth and silky on the belly, chest, legs and ears which requires very thorough brushing few times a week, as well as regular washing and trimming.
Ears must be looked after carefully every day, like eyelids and lip folds must be kept clean. Wipe under the eyes often as they tend to tear.
Tip: Maintaining the weight of the dog within its normal limits is one of the easiest ways to prolong its life.
Appearance
Both the males and females belonging to the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen breed should be of similar size. The height must be between 15-18 inches (39 to 45 cm) while the weight must be approximately 18-20 kilograms.
They have short legs, a sturdy bone structure, and a body that is only slightly longer than it is tall at the withers. The body length is not as extreme as that of a basset hound or dachshund with a harsh double coat that is both long and rough.
The coloring of the coat is primarily white with spots of orange, lemon, black, grizzle (gray-and-white hairs), or sable, sometimes with tan accents. They may be bicolor, tricolor, or have grizzling.
General Information
Their life longevity can be up to 12-14 years if they are kept in a good hearty condition. The average litter size is around 4-8 puppies. The breed is also known as the Basset Griffon Vendeen (Grand) or just plain GBGV.
Aside from the GBGV, there are 3 other Griffon Vendéen breeds: the Grand Griffon Vendéen, Briquet Griffon Vendéen, and the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen.
Breed Club
Visit this dog club website dedicated to Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen. Click this link: http://www.bgvclub.co.uk/
Featured Video
Watch this video: “Chester The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen Howling”