Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
Temperament:
The friendly, extroverted Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a small, spirited breed. Its stubborn character demands a lot of patience from its owner. In return, this dog is very cheerful and gets on well with other dogs and children.
Characteristics
The small hunting dog has short legs and a long, strong body with a deep chest. It has large, narrow, floppy ears that are covered with long hair and turned inwards. The coat is medium to long and hard. The slightly shaggy strands make it look more like a rough mongrel than a purebred dog.
This impression is reinforced by the long fringes on his forehead. However, the curly moustache gives him an expressive face. His clever, alert eyes also contribute to this.
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, the smallest member of the Griffon Vendéen family, has two faces. At home it is calm and angelic, outside it is lively and very active. It has a pronounced hunting instinct, which it likes to live out. That's why you should always keep an eye on your surroundings when walking this breed.
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is very friendly towards people, children and adults as well as other animals. He is also very affectionate towards strangers after he has barked at them extensively. He is also quite a noisy dog when playing and hunting.
This breed needs an owner with assertiveness. Its stubborn character and its tendency to want to work independently require consistent training. If you are persistent, you will get an obedient dog.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.
Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.
Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.
Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.
Health & Care
The hard coat of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen does not require much more grooming than that of other long-haired dogs. Brush well on a regular basis. Long-haired specimens in particular can otherwise become matted. This breed does not shed excessively. However, depending on the length of the coat, you should trim it from time to time and remove burrs and other plant debris after walks.
The ears need even more attention. The large floppy ears with long hair are prone to inflammation. The eyes also need to be checked regularly. This breed likes to slip through bushes and undergrowth. Of course, dental care should not be neglected either. Ideally in combination with chewing articles to prevent tartar.
Hereditary diseases are not known.
Suitable accessories
The enormous hunting instinct of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen requires a tear-resistant lead. A well-fitting, high-quality harness is also necessary.
As this active dog likes to let off steam, you can easily get him interested in fetching. You should therefore also get a few balls or other toys for chasing. A fenced-in meadow with tall grass or bushes is particularly good for this breed. This is where the dogs love to hunt.
You will definitely need a brush for grooming. You might also consider a trimmer to shorten hair that is too long.
You will also need a dog basket or dog mat as a retreat, water and food bowl, tick tweezers, claw clippers, toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs, a transport box for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. It's best to ask your vet what should be in the first aid kit.
Origin & History
The history of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen goes back at least 500 years. It originally comes from the Vendée department in western France.
It was crossed with the Grand Griffon Vendéen until 1970, when this was banned. Before that, the only way to tell the small ones from the large ones was by their height. Today, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is also slimmer than its larger relatives.
Bred as a hunting dog, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is still used today for hunting wild boar and hare and is an excellent family dog.
