Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Dog Breed Information

Group

Hounds

Weight

13-18 kg

Height

33-38 cm

Lifespan

10-13 years

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About the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

From the rugged and remote area of Vendéen in France, we present to you the Petit Basset Griffon Vandeen. The name is undoubtedly a mouthful, so you can call it the PBGV. This little dog is an adorable pup with a furry coat and a lovely rustic visual appearance.

There is so much to know about the PBGV, including its rich history, temperament and personality, and how to take care of this hound. Here is a detailed guide about the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

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What is the history & origin of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen?

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen breed is a small dog that hunters from long ago have used. PBGVs date back to the French Revolution era in the 1700s and were initially bred to hunt small animals. That is where they adopted their sharp hunting instincts and agility.

This hunting experience in rugged terrain makes the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen the perfect candidate for entering dog sports competitions. A sister breed of the PBGV is the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen, also known as a GBGV.

These two breeds differ in weight and size. Even the name spells it out because the word “Petit” stands for small in French, and “Basset” means low. Both the PBGV and GBGV are French hounds with an excellent hunting instinct.

What is a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen breed?

First and foremost, you will notice a PBGV by its distinct outward appearance. It is very furry and even seems to have a moustache. In addition, its eyes get covered by its fur, which is a protection measure against thorns or thickets on their hunting adventures.

This breed was bred specifically for hunting and had the prestige of being one of the best-purebred dogs in that category. However, time went by, and the PGBV started having a presence in other countries.

Different countries have differing shorter names for the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen. For example, in Denmark, they call it Petit or Griffon. Whereas, in England, it got the nickname, Roughie because of its look.

Who is a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen best for?

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is small in size and does not require a lot of space like other dogs. Therefore, even pet parents that live in an apartment can claim dog ownership of the PBGV breed. However, be sure that you give it enough physical exercise, so it remains a healthy dog that is good for your family.

Alternatively, small game hunters can also get an adult dog PBGV for this purpose as it got bred initially for hunting. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen plays along well with other dog breeds if you would like to add this hound to your pack.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Grooming & Shedding

You will have to brush off the loose and dead hair from your hound or even shave it once in a while. Most owners like the rustic look on this dog’s face with the moustache and fur over its eyes. That gives you the freedom of styling your dog’s appearance in different ways.

You can shave off the extra fur to control shedding or leave it as is and give your Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen a brush-and-go every morning. However, owning this dog does require some maintenance since you will have to clean up after the pup and remove any outer coat shedding.

Some owners have joined a local grooming breed club with other dogs of different looks. That is also an option for you since you can join a local grooming breed club and get inspiration from other dog owners.

Do Petit Basset Griffon Vendéens bark a lot?

PBGVs have very high energy levels that they need to consume. Therefore, if a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen does not get enough exercise, it might start barking excessively. Once the mental stimulation levels of a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen subside, excessive barking stops and they become couch potatoes.

Therefore, take your pup out for some physical activity to reduce its mental stimulation, and that should do the trick in lowering excessive barking.

What is the average weight & height of a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen?

According to the Dogs NSW breed club, this is one dog breed that does not grow to be large. Instead, it is small to medium-sized, with an average weight ranging from 13kg to 18kg. The average height range for PBGVs is between 33cm and 38cm.

The Dogs NSW national breed club also mentions that this hound has an excellent bone structure. This dog’s weight, size and good bone structure provide amazing agility for hunting in rugged terrain.

Are Petit Basset Griffon Vendéens easy to train?

PBGVs are naturally curious, and even a fenced yard might not be enough to prevent this dog from trying to climb or dig its way out of your homestead. When a PBGV is still a new puppy, training it how to live within a fenced yard with other pets is crucial.

Fortunately, with consistent positive reinforcement and repetition training, the PBGV can master essential skills. A brief description provided by Dogs NSW describes this hound as a responsive pup that can get trained with positive training methods.

How do Petit Basset Griffon Vendéens behave? A look at their temperament and personality

One of the aliases of this furry little friend is “happy hound”. It has this reputation because most of the time when the Roughie is not frustrated, they are very happy and do not have a harsh personality.

Instead, the pup blends in well with other dogs in its pack and plays well with children. As a result, its temperament and personality make it the best fit for most families.

Does the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen have any common health issues?

The most common health problem that bothers PBGVs is hip and elbow dysplasia, just like most other animals of this kind. In addition, younger puppies might be more prone to PBGV pain syndrome alongside hip dysplasia.

Epilepsy and eye diseases could also flare up occasionally, but that can get managed with over-the-counter meds.

What is the lifespan of a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen?

This breed has a reasonable life expectancy of up to 15 years. Many breeds have an expected lifespan of 10 to 13 years, but this particular breed is a cut above the rest.

If a PBGV’s health conditions are well-taken care of and a good exercise routine gets established, this breed can reach 15 years as a healthy dog.

How much does a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen need to be fed?

Petit puppies should be fed four times daily with servings apportioned with their weights and sizes. As time goes on, you can establish a more relaxed routine of three or two meals in 24 hours.

This dog’s diet is not extraordinary, but owners should minimise human foods as much as possible. PBGVs require dry kibble and canned dog food to thrive and mitigate the risk of dog obesity.

How much can you expect to pay for a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen in Australia?

This breed is still most commonly bred in France, and a few other countries have joined the party as well. Because of this, PBGVs are pretty pricey when bought from a breeder. Also, finding this dog in a rescue shelter is not common because of its peculiar breed type and steep price tag.

You can ask a local breed club if any breeders sell this pup locally but expect to pay around $1,500.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen FAQs

Do you have some more questions about this pup? Here is a Frequently Asked Questions list that could be helpful to you before adopting this breed.

Do Petit Basset Griffon Vandeen dogs get along with cats?

PGBVs get along well with other pets, including cats. Being a hunting dog allows them to be part of a larger animal family. Petits learn how to play well with other animals and coexist in a family setting in that environment.

Are Petit Basset Griffon Vandeen dogs hypoallergenic?

Unfortunately, PBGVs are not hypoallergenic because of the long hair that could harbour allergens for its owners. However, that might not be enough for sensitive pet parents despite religious grooming efforts because interacting with their little pup could trigger allergens.

Owners that suffer from allergens should clean up often to avoid falling sick from their dog’s shedding.

Are Petit Basset Griffon Vandeen dogs good with kids?

Petits are very good with children and have the potential to be excellent family dogs with the proper training. Active children can become best friends with these pups because they can match their energy levels. Also, since this breed doesn’t like biting on people, the chances of a Petit biting on your child are highly unlikely, if possible at all.