Origin
The French name of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen (pe-tee bas-say gri-fon vahn-day-ahn) breed describes their actual physical appearance: ‘Petit’- small, ‘Basset’- low to the grand, ‘Griffon’- rough-coated, and ‘Vendeen’ (pronounced as von-day-an)- which means from the Vendee area of France.
It is very much an ancient breed of the scenthound type that has its roots in the west of France as early as the 16th century.
Its greatest ancestor is said to be the larger Griffon Vendeen.
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen was used for such large game as roe deer and wolf, while the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen was used to trail and drive smaller quarry, such as rabbit, hare and sometimes even feathered game.
Full recognition of the breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) was made possible on February 1, 1991.
Traits and Behavior
A Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a small independent, loving, happy and courageous dog with a strong prey drive. It is a lively dog and therefore ideal for an active family. Unlike some other hounds in its group (Basset) that are typically laid back, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is busy and requires an active owner to keep him occupied.
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen will be very satisfied living in an apartment only if it gets plenty of exercises every day.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a devil in the field yet an angel at home. It is a passionate hunter so it likes to go on a run, but it is equally important that it could use its strong sense of smell being a hunting dog.
If a dog owner let it run around in the back yard without supervision, be warned because this kind of breed likes to dig.
Although they are good with children, their fellow dogs and other pets; they may be unsuitable for very young children below 6-7 years old because they tend to play-bite.
Pet Care and Diseases
All canine breeds have the potential to display genetic health problems as they grow, just as all humans are at risk of acquiring a particular disease that runs in the family.
Be sure to seek the help of a legitimate veterinarian who has enough experience in dealing with Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs to prevent the occurrence of such disease through screening and to ensure that your dog will always be in good health. In this breed, probable health concerns may include:
- PBGV Pain Syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma and lens luxation
- Allergies
- Inguinal and Umbilical Hernias
- Patellar Luxation and Hip Dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Persistent Pupillary Membranes (PPM) and Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia
If the PBGVl is provided with enough workout and play sessions, it can do well even in less spacious living settings such as an apartment or condominium. However, it will be better if the dog can go to rural areas away from the crowded city where it can run along with wide spaces.
This dog has a bad habit of chewing random things or possessions in the house especially if it is left alone. Crate training (a process of teaching a pet to accept a dog crate or cage as a familiar and safe location) will be very beneficial to address this annoying habit.
When it comes to grooming, trim the coat or shave the ears to neaten the dog’s look. Don’t bathe the dog more often than what is needed. The coat has an oily protective layer that is water-resistant to safeguard your dog from the harsh weather.
So it is recommended to bathe it only when it’s dirty or smelly. Brush the coat at least twice a week to keep it in good shape.
Appearance
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens have short, long and sturdy frames covered in rough, medium-long coats that are usually white with yellow, orange, sable, grizzle or black markings.
Both males and females should be of similar size, between 12.5 and 15.5 inches (32 to 40 cm) at the withers and between 25 and 40 pounds (15 to 20 kilograms).
Their narrow, rounded heads have dark, oval-shaped eyes, long feathered ears and black noses. Their medium-length tails are carried high. Overall, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen has an alert and robust look.
General Information
This breed has an estimated lifespan of 11-14 years. The average litter size is about 4-6 puppies. Aside from Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, other names include little griffon Vendeen basset and PBGV.
Breed Club
Visit this dog club website dedicated to Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. Click this link: http://pbgvca.com/
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