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The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a French hunting dog. In the country of origin, hunters still rely on their excellent hunting skills and hunt with their helpers in a pack. There is no escape for rabbits and other wild animals. Outside of France, the breed, with an FCI standard number of 67, has a good reputation as a friendly and even-tempered family pet.
Character, Training, and Attitude
For a pack replacement, the family structure comes closest to the typical social behavior of the dog. Adults and children are equally respected. The dog breed with the shaggy appearance, which is relatively unknown in Germany, is one of the old French bassets. Some cynologists describe the ancestors as far back as the 15th or 16th century. The short-legged dogs are almost irreplaceable when hunting on foot.
With their short extremities, they are made for dense and thorny undergrowth. Targeted breeding of the Basset Griffon Vendéen began towards the end of the 19th century. Following the French breed designations, the district of Vendéen on the north coast of France to the Atlantic refers to the region that produces the breed.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Essence
Used to working independently, the intelligent Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen sometimes appears stubborn to novice dogs. That’s not surprising, the four-legged friend is quite stubborn and willing, he needs consistent and emphatic leadership and training.
The rough appearance is a program, he wants to be steered benevolently and clearly. He is extremely receptive to rewards. The same applies to rummaging through hedges and undergrowth. Here he is in his element. Thorns and bushes, rocky ground, and other adversities do not bother the brave hunter.
Fur
It has a hard, medium-length coat with a high protection factor. The coat is slightly curly but never woolly. Comb and brush regularly. Trimming may be necessary from time to time depending on individual growth. The basic color of the fur is white. There are also black, brown, gray, or orange-red markings. They can be in two or three colors.
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen has an expressive head with clever eyes, shaggy fringes and a curly mustache. The short legs and the ears covered with long hair are striking. At first glance, his appearance confirms the impression of a potent mixed breed dog rather than a pedigree dog. The French dog breed grows to about 34 to 38 centimeters at the withers.
The Griffon Vendéen is bred in four varieties. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is one of the smallest. There are the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen, the Briquet Griffon Vendéen and finally, as the largest representative, the Grand Griffon Vendéen. The scales for the smallest only show between 12 and 16 kilograms, but it is a big dog with a big heart and short legs.
The breed description of the FCI speaks of an off-road devil who becomes an angel at home. A large measure of rural surroundings lives up to its essence better than life in the city. Active people will enjoy the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, who loves to run and exercise. He runs alongside the jogging owner and is persistent on long walks. His interest in every lead is just as enduring. The hunting zeal of the four-legged friend is great and challenges the dog owner again and again.
Tricky and charming, the little Frenchman tries to get his way and follow a scent he has picked up. The dog owner is well advised to think ahead and to assess the situation before his lively little basset hound. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is friendly through and through. Strangers at the front door may initially take a step back when they hear its deep and loud bark.
In addition, he barks extensively only on the track and when the game is exciting. And then he greets the strangers warmly. Guard tasks for the roommate are thus unnecessary. His friendly basic attitude also benefits other animals, to which he is naturally attached. This makes meetings with other dogs a relaxed affair for everyone involved.
Small, lively, strong, well-muscled dog with a moderately elongated body. Limbs are straight and well-muscled. Proudly carried tail, hard, not excessively long hair (5 to 7 cm). Expressive head, ears well turned, with long hair and set below the eye line, not too long.