Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen

Bred to hunt boar, deer and track small mammals such as rabbit and hare the grand basset griffon vendeen is now more commonly a family pet. This happy and outgoing dog needs a firm master as they can be known to be stubborn although they are keen to please when you have earned their love and respect. Their coarse medium-length coat is quite thick and requires regular grooming. The vendeen is an intelligent and brave dog that is not easily agitated, all characteristics tat make them good around young children. They have a median lifespan of 12 years. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen, was originally developed in western France's Vendee region. It is one of four breeds derived from the ancient French Griffon Vendeen, a hunting dog. This breed is a scent hound, bred to find the scent of a hare and track and hunt it through the brush of the countryside. It flushes the prey into the open where the hunter can take a shot. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is a happy, energetic, alert little dog and is very pack-oriented. It is very similar to the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (PBGV), but is a little larger.This breed is, as its name suggests, long and low to the ground. Standing from 15 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder, it is generally twice as long as it is tall. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen (Grahn bass-AY gree-FOHN vahn-day-AHN) has a wiry, medium-length outer coat that is rather rough and harsh, and appears tousled. This protected the dog from brambles as it ran through the underbrush. It's undercoat is soft and dense, to protect it from cold and wet weather conditions. The coat is white with markings in any combination of grizzle, orange, sable, lemon, gray and black. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen has a slight "beard"� and long eyebrows and eyelashes.This breed has the typically long, floppy ears of the scent hound. Its long tail is carried straight out and slightly curved, like a sword. Its legs are short, thick-set and sturdy. It has a free style gait. True to its hound nature, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen has a big baying bark, startlingly loud for its stature. This breed is descended from the much larger French hunting dog, the rough-coated Griffon, which is now extinct. By the 16th century, the Basset Griffon Vendeen was bred in the Vendee to hunt in rough terrain, covered with rock, brambles, thorns and brush. Its white and multi-colored coat made it easy for the huntsman to spot from horseback, as it hunted. The Basset Griffon Vendeen hunted in pairs (called "braces"�) or in small packs. This determined dog could easily climb over ground that a horse could not approach. Larger individuals of the breed hunted larger game such as deer, and the smaller dogs were used to hunt hare. Over time, the differences were exploited, with the bloodlines of other hounds such as the St. Hubert being added. In the end, four distinct types of Griffon Basset Vendeen were recognized by breeders, including the Grand (large) Basset Griffon Vendeen, and the Petit (small) Basset Griffon Vendeen, which could come from the same litter, being separated simply by size. The French first founded their Club du Basset Vendeen in 1907 to promote all four variants of their breed.The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen has existed as a distinct type for over 100 years. In the 1950's the first standard was written in France which distinguished it from the Petit Basset as a distinct breed. In 1975 interbreeding of the Grand and the Petit was disallowed, further defining the separation into two breeds. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen has been listed in the American Kennel Club's Foundation Stock Service since 2004. The prospective owner should not be fooled by the size of this breed into thinking that it will make a docile house pet. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is a dog that needs a great deal of physical activity. It was bred to track prey for long hours through rough terrain, and it has the corresponding stamina. This breed is still widely used for tracking. Daily long walks are essential, and an active owner who is willing to engage the dog in activities such as hiking will be the best for this active little canine. Left to its own devices for long, this breed is likely to become destructive; this is a dog that needs a lot of human interaction. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen should always be walked on leash when not confined; because it is a scent hound it will spontaneously run off in pursuit of prey. The coat of the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen, although not too long, does need regular attention or it can become dirty and prone to matting. A harsh terrier-type brush should be used at least a few times a week to brush the coat thoroughly. If the owner wishes, this coat can be professionally stripped once a year to keep it looking rough and unkempt as is its tradition. This dog is a moderate shedder, and brushing can keep shedding to a minimum. Baths may be given occasionally as needed. The ears of the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen, as do the ears of many scent hounds, need regular care. Because of their shape, they can be prone to ear infections. Dogs that spend a fair amount of time outside can attract small insects such as mites to the inside of the ears. The owner should watch for small black or bright red flecks. Ears should be thoroughly cleaned at the very least once a week. They should also be checked by the vet a few times a year when the deeper recesses can be checked by the proper equipment for inflammation and to prevent problems that may become chronic and serious in nature. Besides ear infections, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen can be prone to meningitis, epilepsy and hip dysplasia. Careful and selective breeding can prevent many of these problems in the individual dog. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is a friendly, easy-going dog that, when given proper exercise, makes a wonderful family pet for an active family who involves the dog in daily activities. It is excessively affectionate and needs a good deal of human companionship daily to remain mentally balanced. It will get along with other household pets and is great with respectful children. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen will enjoy greeting visitors both canine and human with a baying bark, but it is not a dog given to excessive yapping. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is an excellent tracking dog, and excels in sports and competitions that utilize its skills. It also enjoys long hikes and camping.

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