Breed: The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is one of many fine varieties of the French scenthounds. This relatively small dog has a quite ancient origins.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen as a  breed dates back to the XVI century and to the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen - his bigger and stronger ancestor. In French, this breed is called the ??Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?? and the name reveals a lot about this dog: Petit - means "little", Basset - "low" or "squat", Griffon - "wire-haired", and Vendeen - from the word Vendeen - the name of the region of France, where he came from.

In the United States, this breed is often called "petit", in England - "griff" or "raffy" (wire-haired), while in Denmark - "griff"  or "petit".

This little hunter has a mysterious and charming appearance and a very special character. We should not forget that the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen - is primarily a scenthound, designed to hunt the game with his flair, and also that his natural external and mental characteristics are related to the conditions and the terrain of the French west coast - the Vendeen, which is distinguished and well-known with it's dense thickets of shrubs, rocks , thorns and brambles. All this means, that to hunt in this area, a dog must be courageous and hardy, also this hunting dog will need agility, determination, intelligence, and mental and physical stamina.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen - is one of the best representatives of the twenty eight breeds of sighthounds, which are still bred in France and other European countries and also in the United States and Canada, where they are used for hunting the small game - mostly hares and rabbits.

Many French hunting breeds were created taking into the account hunting for some particular game. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen was used for such a big game like deers and wolves, while the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen - for tracking and hunting a smaller game such as rabbits, hares, and sometimes even birds.

Serious attempts to standardize the type of this breed were not undertaken until the second half of the XIX century. Until 1898, when there was approved the first official standard for the French Basset Griffon, the judges were awarding dogs with the prises according to their own taste. Family Desami headed by Paul Desami - the first president of the newly formed Basset Vendeen Club (1907) - wrote the first standard that was describing the small and the large Basset Griffons, which at that time were born in one litter.

In 1909, the standard for the Basset Griffon Vendeen was recognizing two types: one had 34-38 cm at the withers, and another - 38-42 cm. The small Basset Griffon was different only in size and sometimes by his slightly curved front legs.The front legs of a large Basset Griffon were straight. Societe de Venerie (Society of hunting dogs) has published a new book of standards only in 1950, and only then the small Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen officially got an independent standard and was considered as a separated breed. But because of the previously existing practice of crossing the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen with the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen, it happened often that the puppies from the same litter, depending on their size, were recorded for the participation in the French Dog Shows as a Petit or the Grand Basset Griffon. Paul Desami by himself was not breeding the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, but he became famous for his Grand Bassets, who's height in withers was 42 cm, this dogs were even nick-named called "De-Sami-42", although he was responsible for standards.

Finally in 1975, thanks to the efforts of Hubert Desami, who was the third president of the Club, it was forbidden to cross the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen with the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. However, due to the fact that for a long time this crossing was quite common, it is still possible, that the puppies in the litters will vary in size and this will probably keep happening for several more generations.

??

Therefore, the great attention is paid to the size and type , and it is hoped that the judges and breeders will understand what qualities are the most characteristic for the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen and this qualities must be secured.

The American Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Club was formed in 1984 at the jubilee exhibition, dedicated to the centennial of the AKC, for the preservation and  promotion of this breed in the United States.This breed was included into the register of AKC at December 1, 1990 and received the right to participate in the Dog Shows starting from February 1, 1991.

General Features: The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a scenthound, working with flair and designed for hunting a small game in the difficult terrain of the Vandeen region. For the most effective work of the dog there are required a very special qualities.By nature the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is bold and energetic, and by the exterior he is compact, sturdy and strong. He looks alert and lively and also has a loud bark of a high tone. One of the most distinctive features of this brave hunting dogs is their harsh shaggy coat, untouched by human hand. The head of a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is proudly set, decorated with long shaggy eyebrows, beard and mustache. The tail of this dog must be strong, in shape of a sword, tapering to the end. For the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are typical shortened muzzle and curved front legs. It is essential for the dogs of this breed to have a sturdy, somewhat ungroomed, disheveled appearance, which in no case must not affect the silhouette of a Basset Griffon. There are the following types of color of thePetit Basset Griffon Vendeen: solid colors (white, gray, pale yellow with shades of beige, grayish white), bi-color (red & white, black, gray, beige) and tri-color (white, black and beige).

Temperament: The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is definitely the owner of a quite extravagant and original appearance.
Long body on the short legs, bushy eyebrows, thick mustache and a funny curious face - maybe he is not exactly refined like Prince Charming, but definitely the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a great bright personality. In addition, this dog is just wonderful companion, who loves his master, appreciates every minute of communication with him, and this long and shaggy buddy certainly deserves your attention and love.

The Basset Griffon Vendeen are to some extension the short-legged variation of Griffons, who lived in the Vendeen (France). They were bred to be a gun dogs, able to hunt almost every and any game (including deer), both: alone and in the pack of dogs.

Of course, today the hunting potential of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen  finds less and less application, and usually this dogs become just a pet in the house - mostly the favorite pet of the whole family. To his credit, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen  is just a wonderful friend and companion - very energetic, very curious, very friendly and endlessly interesting. He can be trained quite easy and demonstrates the perfect obedience. This dogs are normally very affectionate with their owners, and besides, they get along very well with children and live peacefully with all other pets in the house. Despite that fact that he Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a quite energetic dog, at home he is quiet and calm.

??

It is also true, that as an outlet for the energy of this dog there are required considerable physical exercises and long walks, including, those, when you will let him to run free without a leash in some safe place. But do not forget that the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a dog with very well developed hunting instincts, which means that you need to make sure that the call of nature will not bring him too far from home. It is best to walk the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen in a fenced area, under your watchful eye.

It is quite easy to care for the coat of a Basset Griffon and this does not require much special skills. Experts recommend brushing your dog regularly with a special brush, and give him a regular bath with the special dog shampoo and conditioner. If you are going to show your Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, than before the Dog Show you will have to take him to the experienced groomer, who will trim his coat professionally. And, of course, you always need to remember that the Basset Griffon - just like any other dog - needs a good nutrition and long walks.

Health problems: The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a quite healthy and hardy breed. Still there are some health issues, that are characteristic to this dogs.Some Petit Basset Griffons are prone to glaucoma, PBGV syndrome and hip dysplasia.

Do You Want to Get This Dog Breed for Free ?
Read more ->