Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

Their raggedy looks, small size, and sparky personality have won them many admirers. Though Basset is part of his name, he is not like a Basset Hound. He is more like a terrier; curious and busy, determined and smart. The Petits need plenty of exercise and attention.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen breed facts

The breed can be traced to the sixteenth century and to the Griffon Vendéen, his larger, more powerful ancestor.

His name in French reveals much about him: Petit - small; Basset - low to the ground; Griffon - rough or wire coated; and Vendéen - the area of France in which he originated.

Information you should know before owning a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a scent hound, who uses its nose to hunt small game over rough and difficult terrain.

Bold and vivacious in character, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen has a good voice which he uses freely.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a happy extroverted dog who is independent, but willing to please.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, one of many small varieties of the French hounds, is of ancient origin. The breed can be traced to the 16th century and to the Griffon Vendéen, his larger, more powerful ancestor. His name in French reveals much about him: Petit-small; Basset-low to the ground; Griffon-rough or wire coated; and Vendéen-the area of France in which he originated.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a hound developed to hunt game by scent. Furthermore, his physical evolution is directly related to the environment and terrain on the western coast of France-the Vendéen, characterized by thick underbrush, rocks, thorns, and brambles. This difficult terrain demanded a hardy, alert, bold, determined, intelligent hunter with both mental and physical stamina.

Most French hound breeds came in large and small versions and were used for different prey. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen was used for such large game as roedeer 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. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen are used especially to hunt hare and rabbit, in France, other European countries, as well as the United States and Canada.

Paul Dezamy-the first president of the newly founded Club du Basset Vendéen (1907), is known for having devised the first standard. The same standard described the Petit and Grand, both of which came from the same litters at the same time. It was not until the 1950's that the Societé de Venerie published a new book of standards in which the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen was given an official standard of its own and considered a separate breed. In 1975 the interbreeding of the Grand and Petit was disallowed.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America was founded at the AKC Centennial Dog Show in 1984 to protect and promote the breed in this country. The breed was admitted to AKC registration effective December 1, 1990, and became eligible to compete at AKC-licensed shows effective February 1, 1991.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Medium
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Medium
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	More than once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Small House
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Well balanced, short-legged, compact hound. Rough-coated with alert outlook and lively bearing.
	Characteristics Strong, active hound capable of a day’s hunting, with a good voice freely used.
	Temperament Happy, extrovert, independent, yet willing to please.
	Eyes Large, dark, showing no white, with friendly, intelligent expression. Red of lower eyelid not showing.
	Mouth Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite acceptable.
	Neck Long and strong, set into well laid shoulders; without throatiness; carrying head proudly.
	Forequarters Shoulders clean and sloping; elbows close to body. Forelegs straight, a slight crook acceptable; thick and well boned. Pasterns strong and slightly sloping. Knuckling over highly undesirable.
	Body Chest deep with prominent sternum; ribs moderately rounded extending well back. Back of medium length; level topline with slight arching over strong loins.
	Hindquarters Strong and muscular with good bend of stifle. Well defined second thigh. Hocks short and well angulated.
	Feet Hard, tight padded, not too long. Nails strong and short.
	Tail Of medium length; set on high, strong at base, tapering regularly, well furnished with hair; carried proudly like the blade of a sabre.
	Gait / Movement Well balanced, short-legged, compact hound. Rough-coated with alert outlook and lively bearing.
	Coat Rough, long without exaggeration and harsh to the touch, with thick undercoat, never silky or woolly. Shown untrimmed.
	Colour White with any combination of lemon, orange, tricolour or grizzle markings.
	Size Height 33-38 cms (13-15 ins).