GROUP 4 – HOUNDS

Brief History
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen often referred to as a GBGV, is an elegant, rough coated, rustic, game scenting hound developed in the harsh Vendée region of France to hunt hare, roe deer and wild boar with origins tracing back to the 16^th Century, and the large Griffon Vendéen of the time.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 12 to 15 years.

Temperament
Happy, outgoing and independent, can be a little stubborn, but learns quickly.

General Breed Description
The GBGV is a noble French Breed with a laid-back, confident attitude. They have a good sense of humour and are willing to please. They are white with a combination of patches of various hound colours.

Coat and Care Requirements
Although not a heavy shedding dog, the GBGV still does lose a certain amount of hair at various times of the year. The coat, consisting of a soft undercoat with a harsher top coat, needs combing through with a metal comb once a week, the moustache, beard, eyebrows and ears occasionally more often.  Their ears should be checked regularly and kept clean and the nails clipped.

They are an active dog that needs regular exercise.  Being a scent hound, they should be kept in a well fenced area, and unless trained to come back at an early age, not let run free in an unsecure environment.

Size
Height: Males 40 to 44cms, Females 39 to 43cms.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The GBGV is generally a healthy breed. However, health conditions will occur occasionally, and may include epilepsy.

Suitability
Easy going and laid-back, the GBGV a good family pet or a great companion for a single person. They thrive as a house dog if they are given the right amount of exercise. They are usually good with other dogs and cats, once acquainted, if socialised well as a puppy.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/9