French charm and style are embodied in the beautiful Basset Griffon Vendéen. Such a talented scent hound and loving family companion blends form and function nicely together, regardless of which variety of the breed one is looking for. There are altogether four breeds of Basset Griffon Vendéen, the Grand Griffon Vendéen, Briquet Griffon Vendéen, and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen.Originally used for hunting hare and rabbit, the Basset Griffon Vendéen has since become a beloved companion pet for homes in their native France, in the UK, and worldwide. They make excellent pets for a variety of reasons and are best purchased as puppies in loving homes.The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen (GBGV) and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen (PBGV) are amongst the more popular breed varieties and differ mainly in size and volume. For this reason, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen will be described in this guide.
Why Basset Griffon Vendéens are Great
Some highlights of Basset Griffon Vendéens:
Affectionate: this breed is a loyal and loving companion to owners and their families.
First-time owners: for many reasons, the Basset Griffon Vendéen is an ideal puppy choice for first-time owners.
Shedding: this breed is not known to shed much hair at all.
Grooming: Basset Griffon Vendéens don’t require intense grooming and are fairly easy to maintain.
Child-friendly: this breed is known to be kind and gentle with children of all ages.
Things to Consider when Looking at Basset Griffon Vendéens for Sale
Some downsides to the Basset Griffon Vendéen:
Stubborn: Basset Griffon Vendéens can show signs of stubbornness, and if they’ve picked up a scent will tunnel vision and ignore commands.
Prey drive: this breed originally chased game though dense, wooded areas and as such is prone to chasing anything that moves.
Rarity: Basset Griffon Vendéens are fairly rare in the UK, and each variety of this breed is even rarer. This may make them difficult to acquire.
Isolation: this breed doesn’t much like being left alone for extended periods of time, so don’t purchase a Basset Griffon Vendéen puppy if you cannot spend quality time with him.
History of the Basset Griffon Vendéen
Bassets were bred from larger hounds. In the case of the Basset Griffon Vendéen, all varieties of the breed can be traced back to the Grand Griffon of the Vendée region of France. The first distinctions were drawn between the breed varieties at the end of the 19th century by the Comte d’Elva, who bred Griffon in order to achieve straighter legs. His breeding standard established the original Basset Griffon Vendéen. This breeding practise was best exemplified, however, by Paul Dézamy, who established the breed that is known today.Both the GBGV and the PBGV were bred from the Vendée region of France. In the time of the Comte d’Elva, it was permissible to breed both varieties together. During the latter half of the 20th century, this was no longer permitted and both breeds began to thrive again, particularly thanks to hunters in France. Their numbers had fallen significantly during both World Wars, but the Basset Griffon Vendéen is now quickly becoming a favourable breed in the UK and elsewhere, albeit slowly, leading to its rarity in the UK.
As with many bassets, the Griffon is a medium-sized breed that is longer than it is short with straight, short legs and a well-balanced physique. They appear elegant with their hard, medium-length coats of fur. They should not resemble a Briquet.Griffons are recognisable by their bushy beards, moustaches, and eyebrows as well as their fluffy ears that flap downwards. This distinctive facial hair can often cover most of their faces, including their eyes.
How big is the Basset Griffon Vendéen?
Basset Griffon Vendéens are large-sized dogs. Males grow on average to 40-44 cm in height, whilst females can grow up to 39-43 cm high.
How heavy is a Basset Griffon Vendéen?
Fully-grown adult male and female Basset Griffon Vendéens weigh between 18-20 kg on average.
What colour is the Basset Griffon Vendéen?
This breed has the following commonly-accepted coat colours:
Black with White spotting;
Black with Tan markings;
Black with light Tan markings;
Fawn with White spotting;
Tricolour (Fawn with Black mantle and White spotting);
Fawn with Black overlay;
Pale Fawn with Black overlay and White spotting;
Pale Fawn with Black overlay.
Sometimes, people will use the traditional names for the Griffon’s many colours, including: hare colour, wolf colour, badger colour, and wild boar colour.
Temperament
Griffons are fast and nimble hunters best adapted to brambles and brush in the woodlands of their native Vendée in France. They are courageous and have a pack mentality, preferring to go about their business in the company of other dogs.Although they are generally well-behaved Griffons require an owner that is firm and authoritative in order to foster a loyal and obedient dog. This is best done whilst they’re still puppies so that they can avoid developing bad habits such as stubbornness and learn their role in the home.This breed is an excellent puppy choice for families, including those with other pets at home. Care should be taken around smaller pets, however, since Griffons have a strong prey drive and may chase small objects around and outside of the home.
Do Basset Griffon Vendéens make good guard dogs?
Griffons do not tend to make good watchdogs nor do they make good guard dogs since they are rarely aggressive.
Do Basset Griffon Vendéens bark a lot?
Griffons bark about as much as most other breeds, no more, no less. They seldom bark compulsively and tend to only bark when necessary.
This breed can be trained without much difficulty, but owners should be aware that Griffons need to respect authority and to understand their role in the home.
Are Basset Griffon Vendéens playful?
As puppies, Griffons enjoy playing many canine sports and generally having fun. They will often play with other pets, too.
Are Basset Griffon Vendéens good with children?
Griffons are a wonderful pet for owners with children. They’ll greatly enjoy playing with children of all ages. Young children should be supervised at all times to avoid any mischievous behaviour.
Are Basset Griffon Vendéens good with other pets?
Few breeds are able to get along with other dogs as well as Griffons. They tend to be a pack animal that coordinates with other dogs in order to detect the whereabouts of hare and rabbit. This may make them a poor choice for homes with small pets such as rodents since they have a high prey drive.
Can I leave a Basset Griffon Vendéen alone?
Griffons may be able to tolerate moderate periods of time alone, but this should not become an everyday occurrence. Most puppies - and the Griffon is no exception - are prone to boredom and may engage in destructive behaviour if neglected. Raise them well as puppies and they’ll grow into lovely, well-mannered adults.
Do Basset Griffon Vendéens like water?
While some Griffons may enjoy the water, most are poor swimmers due to their short legs and long bodies. Avoid traumatising or frightening your puppy by forcing them in the water and instead allow them to explore on their own.
Health
How long do Basset Griffon Vendéens live?
Generally, Basset Griffon Vendéens are expected to live anywhere from 12-14 years.
How much exercise does a Basset Griffon Vendéen need?
This breed has a very high exercise requirement. Prospective owners should be aware that at least two hours of vigorous exercise per day are required. Griffons should be taken for a brisk morning walk and a thorough play session in the evening. Allow ample off the lead playtime and supervise them at all times. They will get along well with most other breeds, but some breeds may not appreciate their eagerness to play as much as they will.
What are a Basset Griffon Vendéen’s common health issues?
When compared to other breeds of a similar size, Griffons are generally healthy. They are prone to a few common health issues, including:
Reproductive issues;
Dermatitis;
Otitis externa;
Ear infections.
Care
How much space do I need for a Basset Griffon Vendéen?
Griffons are happiest in a small home in the countryside and won’t enjoy being kept in a flat or in the city. Gardens are ideal as well to satisfy their high exercise requirements.
What should I feed my Basset Griffon Vendéen?
A fully-grown Basset Griffon Vendéen should be fed 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dog food every day, divided into two meals. Adjust as necessary to promote good health and to prevent overfeeding.
How much grooming do Basset Griffon Vendéens need?
This breed doesn’t require too much grooming, but frequent brushing and cleaning of the Griffon’s facial hair are necessary to avoid infection and to remove food scraps and debris.
Do Basset Griffon Vendéens shed?
This breed sheds a moderate amount of hair. Frequent cleaning can keep this shedding under control without much difficulty.
Average Costs
How much does it cost to keep a Basset Griffon Vendéen?
As a rough guide in pricing: Cost to buy: roughly £500-800 for a well-bred Basset Griffon Vendéen puppyOther costs (Vet, Food etc): £80-130 per month
Specific Buying Guide
You can read our general buying guide here, with the most important thing being going to view your Basset Griffon Vendéen puppy, seeing it with its mother, and checking the quality of the breeder. More specifically, here is some Basset Griffon Vendéen puppy buying advice:
Griffon puppies are fairly rare in the UK. Since there are four varieties of the breed, acquiring the desired puppy may require plenty of time and patience.
Always ensure that your desired puppy was bred according to Kennel Club standards and is healthy. One observable fault is the puppy’s coat of fur. Although medium to long in length, their fur should never be silky or wooly in appearance.
Other Reading, Adopting Basset Griffon Vendéen Puppies and Rescue Organisations
