Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen

Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen pictures
Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen suitability

In my own words

 

Oh, indeed, it’s the country life for me! The wind in my fur, the wide open spaces and the promise of the hunt always on the horizon…what more could a hound want? After all, my breed did originate from the rolling hills of France. So please don’t fence me in a poky house in the city, I need a little space to move in and love to exercise. You’ll find that I’m an excellent scent dog and once I put my superb nose in action, I’ll never lose you. I’m a happy- go-lucky sort and I do love people. Friends or strangers, I’m not fussy I love them all. I love dogs too, but it’s probably best to keep me away from other small pets. I can’t help it; sometimes those hunting genes just kick in unannounced. In fact, I can be a little stubborn at have been told that I’m by no means naturally obedient. Consider yourself warned.

While I may be proud and fiercely independent, I‘m also very loving and affectionate and make for a great companion (if I don’t say so myself).

My ideal owner(s)

 

Families

Country Folk

People who like country pursuits

People who like long walks

What they say about me

 

Independent

Happy-go-lucky

Energetic

Intelligent

Please read on, to find out more about me, and whether I will be someone you can be happy with for the next 12 years, or even longer!

Is this Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen for you?

Test your knowledge about the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen

Information essential about the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen

 

Kennel Club Group:

Hound

Size:

Medium: Weight Male 40 – 44 lb (18 – 20 kg) Female 40 – 44 lb (18 – 20 kg)

Height Male 15 – 17” (40 – 44 cm) Female 15 – 17” (40 – 43 cm)

Popularity:

 

 

Like the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, the Grand Basset remains extremely popular in France while its popularity is growing in the UK and US.

 

Breed History:

 

Originating from Vendee in the western region of France, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen can be traced back to the 16th century. Bred directly from the white Southern Hound and rough-coated dogs from Italy, there are two varieties of the Basset Griffon Vendeen. While they originally occurred in the same litters, the breeding of these two varieties has been separated into two distinct breeds since the 1970’s- the Grand and the Petit. Cross breeding is now forbidden.

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen (GBGV) is the ancestor of the Griffon Vendeen, with the GBGV being bred slightly smaller in size in order to cope with the thick undergrowth of the French countryside. Originally bred as hunting dogs, GBGV’s have maintained a keen sense of smell and are still used, as individuals or in packs, to hunt wild boar, deer and to scent rabbit and hare.

The cheerful plucky nature of the GBGV makes for an ideal family companion

Character:

 

Your GBGV can be a mischievous little thing, so be prepared for some intensive training sessions. They must be handled firmly from a young age to ensure that they understand the boundaries of family life. That being said they are a very intelligent breed and will astound you with their how quick they are to learn. Willing to please, but very independent, your GBGV has a highly inquisitive nature. Stifled by the confines of city living, your Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen will flourish in the countryside. They are not a dog that is well suited to small spaces and crave the open fields from which they originated. Active and lively, your hound’s energy knows no bounds so you may struggle to keep up on those long country walks. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeens are hunters at heart and will be quick to chase the nearest prey once let off their leads. However, thanks to their superb nose they will always be quick to return to their fretting owner. It should be noted that this strong sense of smell also means that they will require a well-fenced garden and a tight leash should you wish to keep them close at hand. Very social by nature, GBGVs have fast become known for their affable characters. Your dog will not only get on well with you and your family, but also friends, strangers and everyone in between.

Temperament:

 

A happy-go-lucky dog, GBGVs just love to be active. Energetic and always keen for a run in the fields, these hounds are quite simply made for country life and are in their element when running wild and free after a rogue hare or rabbit. It may seem like they just can’t set still, but they should be sated after lengthy daily walks. Intelligent and always exploring, their keen sense of loyalty (not to mention smell) means that they will never stray from their owner for too long. In fact, they crave human attention so would not be suited to being left alone for long periods of time. Great with other dogs, adults and children alike, their friendly nature makes them a great choice for young families. This being said, their strong hunting instincts mean that Grand Basset Griffon Vendeens unfortunately can’t always be trusted around non-canine pets. GBGVs are very independent and although they always aim to please, they aren't naturally obedient so potential owners need patience and tolerance.

Conformation:

 

The GBGV is a medium sized, strong scent hound that is characterised by the shaggy hair over its eyebrows, beard and moustache. They are approximately 50% longer than they are tall. It should appear to be a well-balanced, short-legged dog and have a longer muzzle and ears than the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. The jaws should be strong with a perfect scissor bite and the top teeth closely overlapping the bottom teeth. The eyes, framed by the signature longhaired eyebrows, should be large and dark with no white showing. The ears should be covered with long hair and fall well below eye level and the neck should be long and strong. The GBGV’s elbows are set close to the body, which features a deep chest with a level topline. The tail should is set high on the body and carried proudly. The coat is rough and harsh on top with a thick undercoat and should not trimmed for showing purposes.

Colour:

 

The GBGV can be white with lemon, orange, black, tricolour or grizzle.

Training:

 

While the GBGV is energetic and independent, they are not naturally obedient. They require consistent training and socialisation, especially throughout adolescence and it is integral that they are taught to know who is boss in their family situation. They do need a secure garden as they will be off if they get the scent of small game.

Care:

 

Health:

 

The lifespan of a healthy individual is between 12-14 years, which is normal for a dog of this size. However, some live for as long as 15 years. If you buy from a reputable, responsible breeder, health problems should not occur. However, if your GBGV does achieve a good old age, the normal complaints that we all suffer from, such as arthritis and failing eyesight may begin to develop. The GBGV is generally considered to be a hardy, healthy dog, relatively free from hereditary and congenital problems. Epilepsy has been known to occur in the breed, although selective breeding has reduced the occurrence. Hip and elbow dysplasia can also occur, and it is a good idea to get your puppy hip and elbow scored if you are thinking of breeding later on. Because dysplastic dogs often produce dysplastic puppies, buyers should ask if both the sire and the dam of the puppy in which they are interested have been rated clear of hip dysplasia. Do not take yes for an answer without seeing a certificate, and ask for a copy to take to your veterinarian. Other problems can include patella luxation, where the kneecap slips in and out of place. Despite these concerns, if you are careful who you buy from, your Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen should give you many years of good health, fun and loving companionship.

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Advice on choosing your breed »

Find an animal shelter or rescue home where a Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is waiting for a new home »

 

The following grid gives a fast track review which covers all breeds. You can apply it to help you decide if a Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is suitable for you, the environment where you live, your personality and your lifestyle. On the grid, 1= strongly disagree, and 5= strongly agree. For example, if you are looking for a dog that is suitable for families, look down the list under Role and Suitability, and you will see that GBGVs are great with adults and children alike, scoring 5. If you want a playful companion, look at the Activities list, and you will see that GBGVs love to fetch and hunt, and score 5. You might like to save or print off this section and keep it for reference while you check some other breeds before making your final choice.

Be the first to rate this breed »

Noahs Breed Rating | Community Breed Rating

Activities
Good jogging companion5/5
Good walking companion5/5
Likes water/swimming3/5
Likes learning new tricks5/5
Likes to hunt5/5
Likes to fetch5/5
Good gundog/retriever5/5
Behaviour
Barks a lot3/5
Gets easily jealous1/5
Protective2/5
Aggressive1/5
Timid2/5
Friendly with strangers5/5
Cost
Expensive to insure1/5
Expensive to feed1/5
Environment
Happy to sleep outside3/5
Prefers countryside5/5
Suits urban environment2/5
Prefers temperate climate5/5
Prefers hot climate2/5
Prefers cold climate5/5
Grooming
Moults a lot0/5
Hypoallergenic1/5
Requires lots of grooming2/5
Role and Suitability
Ideal for elderly2/5
Ideal for singles5/5
Ideal for couples with no children5/5
Ideal for family with children5/5
Good watch dog2/5
Good guard dog1/5
Sociability
Good with other pets5/5
Good with other dogs5/5
Time and Energy
Happy being left alone for 4hrs1/5
Happy being left alone for 2hrs2/5
Requires lots of exercise5/5
Training and Obedience
Good for first time owners5/5
Good for experienced owners5/5
Good recall5/5
Easy to train2/5
Activities
Good jogging companion__c_joggingcompanion__/5
Good walking companion__c_walkingcompanion__/5
Likes water/swimming__c_likeswater__/5
Likes learning new tricks__c_likesnewtricks__/5
Likes to hunt__c_likestohunt__/5
Likes to fetch__c_likestofetch__/5
Good gundog/retriever__c_gundog__/5
Behaviour
Barks a lot__c_barksalot__/5
Gets easily jealous__c_jealouseasy__/5
Protective__c_protective__/5
Aggressive__c_aggressive__/5
Timid__c_timid__/5
Friendly with strangers__c_friendlystrangers__/5
Cost
Expensive to insure__c_expensiveinsurance__/5
Expensive to feed__c_expensivefood__/5
Environment
Happy to sleep outside__c_sleepoutside__/5
Prefers countryside__c_countryliving__/5
Suits urban environment__c_urbanliving__/5
Prefers temperate climate__c_temperateclimate__/5
Prefers hot climate__c_hotclimate__/5
Prefers cold climate__c_coldclimate__/5
Grooming
Moults a lot__c_moultsalot__/5
Hypoallergenic__c_hypoallergenic__/5
Requires lots of grooming__c_lotsgrooming__/5
Role and Suitability
Ideal for elderly__c_olderpeople__/5
Ideal for singles__c_singles__/5
Ideal for couples with no children__c_couplenochildren__/5
Ideal for family with children__c_familychildren__/5
Good watch dog__c_watchdog__/5
Good guard dog__c_guarddog__/5
Sociability
Good with other pets__c_otherpets__/5
Good with other dogs__c_otherdogs__/5
Time and Energy
Happy being left alone for 4hrs__c_leftalone4hrs__/5
Happy being left alone for 2hrs__c_leftalone2hrs__/5
Requires lots of exercise__c_lotsexercise__/5
Training and Obedience
Good for first time owners__c_firstowner__/5
Good for experienced owners__c_experienceowner__/5
Good recall__c_goodrecall__/5
Easy to train__c_easytrain__/5

*PLEASE NOTE: All our breed profiles are general, and all dogs are individuals. Always talk to the breeders and meet the owners you are buying from. Try to meet the dog and its parents if it is a puppy in their home environment.

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