Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens
Intelligent, Alert and Super Cute!
The origins of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens (also referred to as PBGV or Petits) are to be found in the larger version of the Griffon which dates back to 16th century France. Not surprisingly, a few of these little Frenchies at some point found their way into the royal household of King Louis XII.
The PBGV is part of the AKC hound group and is referred to as a scent hound. It has been used primarily to hunt hare, fox and deer, which it does very capably with great speed and much enthusiasm.
Equipped with a tough coat, small body and a hardy constitution, the breed is well suited for hunting in the rugged terrain on the west coast of France.
The small and charming appearance of the Petit can be deceptive, but make no mistake, this is a tough, confident and purpose-driven little dog.
Appearance
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are the epitome of the shaggy dog look. Their tousled coat, floppy long ears, old-fashioned moustache and beard together with long eyebrows finish off the irresistible expression and a face that can't be ignored!
However, these charming features are not just for show, they did have the important purpose during hunting of providing protection to the Petit's face while forging through rough terrain and brambles.
PBGVs stand between 13-15 inches and weigh in between 25-35 lbs. Coat color variations on a white background, include shades of orange, gray, tawny and black/tan
Grooming the PBGV
The rough textured coat which is up to 2-l/2 inches long needs a thorough brushing at least once a week, if not more, to take care of tangles and remove shed hair within the coat. A high quality
pin brush will do the job without damaging the coat.
If you need to do any de-matting, this
slicker brush is the ideal tool along with the
right comb. Both of these will make it so much easier and gentler on your dog.
The tools I recommend are of show quality because that is what is needed to keep this beautiful coat in good condition without damage. Cheap tools will take their toll on it over time.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are long-eared dogs which need frequent inspection to look for any signs of ear mites or other parasites that could cause infection, as well as excessive wax build-up. Naturally any necessary ear cleaning of this area can be done at the same time.
As with all dogs, teeth should be cleaned weekly or daily if possible. You can watch a "how to" video on
this page of the website and see how to clean your a dog's teeth as well as some helpful products to get the job done.
Nails should be clipped whenever you hear a clicking sound as the dog walks accross a hard surface. If you find this a difficult chore with dog nail trimmers, try a
dremel which is easier and less traumatic.
As with most intelligent dogs, they can be willful, so be forewarned! Establish your leadership early on if you don't want them to rule the roost.
Having said that, they like to please, are known to be devoted and loyal to their owners, and love being
the center of attention in family life.
Training them for obedience with a gentle and patient hand works best. If you'd like your PBVG to be involved in competition, they have done well in trials for tracking and agility.
Petits have also been involved in search and rescue and some used as therapy dogs.
PBGVs generally get along well with most other pets in the household - except rabbits might be a challenge!
