Basset Griffon Vendéen (Petite) – A Small, Rough-Haired Hound

Basset Griffon Vendéen The Ultimate Bramble Dog.

Bramble dog we hear you ask? Well, they were specially bred to cope with the somewhat specialised task of chasing Hares and sometimes Rabbits out of Bramble thickets in the rather rough terrained Vendee region of France. Today they are more likely to be happy tail-wagging pets who look rather cute. However, don't be fooled these are tough little cookies who can be feisty and being trail hounds they can walk the legs off you and then come back for more. Having said that they are adaptable and are intelligent and eager to please. The dog for you? well read on and let's see.

Quick Overview

Name:                                                                  Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen or some variation thereof

Size:                                                                       Up to 15 inches tall

Weight:                                                                No more than 40 pounds

Grooming:                                                           Infrequent

Training:                                                               Moderate

Exercise:                                                              1 hour per day

Temperament:                                                 Feisty but happy

Origins:                                                                 France

Lifespan:                                                              Around 12- 14 years

Breed Type:                                                        Hound

History of the Basset Griffon Vendéen Petite

This version of the Basset hound was bred in the Vendee area of France, which is a rocky, mountainous coastal region. This made it tough to work and tougher to hunt in, so man employed the use of packs of hounds to help them along. This scent hound has an intricate history that goes back some four hundred years. They share it with another basset, the strikingly similar Basset Griffon Vendéen Grand.

Up until the 1970s, the Basset Griffon Vendéen grand and petite were often born to the same litter! In 1975 the third president f the Club du Basset Griffon Vendéen put a stop to the same litter breeding. Nowadays, the large and small versions are different breeds with different standards. Consider them more like close cousins than siblings. Both breeds came from the same parent breeds, starting with the Griffon Grand from the times of old.

Both breeds were hunting hounds, used to sniff out prey. They would hunt in packs, usually with a mix of big and small dogs. The bigger dogs would protect from wolves and hunt down deer, while the petite version would go for the rabbits and other small prey. Take a mixed pack with you and every hunter was sure of success.

Over the generations, both breeds became smaller, so that the Grand version of the Basset Griffon Vendéen is only actually a medium-sized dog. As hunters descended from horseback and went on foot with a rifle instead, the dogs needed to be slowed down. To do this, they selectively bred the smaller dogs for a time until their leg length was shorter. This made it easier for them to match their masters in stride.

The club was established in the 1950s and the breed itself was added to the UK Kennel Club registry in ’55. It wasn’t until much later that the dual dogs per litter were halted and the two separate breeds were recognised as individuals in America. The two different sizes weren’t even acknowledged until 1909.

Nowadays they make a cheerful, rough-haired, tough companion dog. They will always try to bring you back a rabbit though. Try to remember that it isn’t their fault… it was what they were bred to do.

Fun Petit Griffon Facts!

Every dog breed has its secrets, but here at Five Minutes Spare, we make a point of finding them out. Here are our favourite things about the Basset Griffon Vendéen Petit:

• Although the breed was recognized by the AKC in 1990, it wasn’t until 2018 that they split away into the grand and the petit
• A 4 year old BGVP won CRUFTS in 2013. The dog beat more than 20,000 entrants to win Best of Show… which is like becoming the king of the dogs (her name was Jilly)
• If you brush them every day, they will become matted. Avoid this with laziness
• This dog has earned the nickname of ‘sabre tail’ because of the white tip and shape of the tail while hunting

These are the ultimate cute furballs. They make for a remarkable companion that are just as happy out on walks as they are playing at home.

Are they Easy to Train?

They will need obedience training and early socialisation. Even with both of these, a scent hound that catches the scent will always chase it to the end. Keep them on a lead – especially in places where they are likely to chase the scent. There is an area in Scotland called Overtoun Bridge where scent hounds are known to jump off to their doom in pursuit of mink. We don’t want to scare you; we are just trying to stress the importance of lead use.

What About Grooming?

You will need to brush their teeth every couple of week with some doggy toothpaste and a small brush. Let them chew the brush and don’t force it. They will need brushed once a fortnight, maybe? They have a rough coat that tangles if you brush them too much. They will need their claws trimmed more than a large breed because they don’t need the same length of walks.

Do They Need A Lot of Exercising?

Depends on your definition of a lot we suppose. One hour a day should be enough to keep them happy. Break this down into one walk and one long play, or two shorter walks. If they only get out in the garden, then that will be enough as they will trail around happily for hours on end discovering exciting new scents that only they knew existed. This makes them the perfect companion hound for those that work through the day. They also are not built for speed so leisurely long walks will suit them fine.

Common Health Problems Known to the Basset Griffon Vendéen Petite Breed

They are generally healthy dogs; however, they can have eye problems or epilepsy. Testing is available early in life though. An eye test and a Glaucoma test are recommended. You can read the official health statement as given by the breeder’s club, here.

Where Can You Buy A Mini Basset Griffon Vendéen?

You should buy any dog from a shelter or from a breeder who is registered with your local kennel club. If you buy outside these sources, check for the following things to avoid puppy farmers:

• That the breeder lets you meet one or both of the dog’s parents
• That the breeder can provide paperwork
• That they can give you the dog’s family history

If they meet these conditions, they probably aren’t a puppy farmer.

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