Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
| Size at withers | 34-38 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 11-18 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12-14 years |
| Size class | Small–Medium (10–25 kg) |
| Normal resting vitals | Heart rate 70–120 bpm · Respiration 15–30/min · Temperature 38.3–39.2 °C |
| Temperament | Merry, extroverted, bold and busy; a happy, vocal scent hound |
| Common health issues | Ear infections from long ears; some lines report eye and epilepsy issues; otherwise sturdy |
| Exercise needs | Moderate to high - 45-60 min/day; more energetic than the size suggests |
| Climate & housing suitability | Moderate suitability - the harsh coat needs grooming and carries some heat load, but the dog stays lively and social when well exercised. |
| Owner notes | 'PBGV'; a rustic tousled French hound bred for hare over rough Vendeen terrain. |
Origin and purpose
Hound (AKC); FCI Group 6. Origin: France (Vendee); rough-coated short-legged hound for small game.
'PBGV'; a rustic tousled French hound bred for hare over rough Vendeen terrain.
What a breed was built to do explains most of what it will do in your home. A dog selected for hundreds of years to run, guard, herd, or hunt does not stop wanting to because it now lives in an apartment — the drive is the breed, and the owner's job is to give it somewhere to go.
Temperament and training
Stated temperament: Merry, extroverted, bold and busy; a happy, vocal scent hound
Reward-based training from the day the puppy arrives, with the socialisation window (roughly three to sixteen weeks) treated as the priority it is — what happens in those weeks shapes the adult dog more than anything you do later. Short, frequent, positive sessions. See Parts IV and IX.
Conditions this breed is predisposed to
Idiopathic epilepsy
Otitis externa (ear canal inflammation)
Health screening — what to test, and when
| Screen for | Test | When |
|---|---|---|
| Idiopathic epilepsy | No screening test. Diagnosis is by exclusion, after blood work and imaging | Investigate the first seizure; do not breed from affected dogs |
| Otitis externa (ear canal inflammation) | Ear examination (otoscopy), and cytology of any discharge | At every annual visit; on any head-shaking, odour, or scratching |
Every dog, every breed: an annual health examination (twice yearly from seven years), body-condition scoring at each visit, dental assessment, year-round parasite control, and the core vaccinations.
For breeders — test before you mate
- Idiopathic epilepsy — No screening test. Diagnosis is by exclusion, after blood work and imaging
Feeding
The most forgiving size to feed. A good-quality complete diet appropriate to the life stage, measured with a cup or scales rather than judged by eye, split into two meals a day. Weigh the food; guessing is how dogs get fat. Treats counted within the daily allowance, not added on top.
Exercise and enrichment
Stated requirement: Moderate to high - 45-60 min/day; more energetic than the size suggests
A high-energy dog needing substantial, committed daily exercise plus mental work. Do not take this breed on unless the daily commitment is realistic on your worst week, not your best one.
Climate and living conditions
Stated suitability: Moderate suitability - the harsh coat needs grooming and carries some heat load, but the dog stays lively and social when well exercised.
Ageing and senior care
Life expectancy: 12-14 years. This dog is a senior from around 8–9 years, at which point wellness examinations should move to twice a year and senior blood and urine screening begins. Watch for the gradual onset of arthritis, dental disease, and the endocrine conditions of middle age. Senior care →
Before you take one home
- Ask the breeder for the health-test results listed above — for BOTH parents, on paper, before you pay a deposit. A breeder who has done the tests will be proud to show you; one who deflects, or who tells you the tests are unnecessary in this line, is telling you what you need to know.
- Consider adoption. Shelters and rescues have dogs of every kind, including purebreds, and the local native or landrace dog is often healthier, better adapted to its climate, and more in need of a home than almost anything you can buy. See Part XII.
