GROUP 4 – HOUNDS

Brief History
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, who is often referred to as a PBGV, is a rustic, rough coated, game scenting hound that has his origins tracing back to the sixteenth century and the large Griffon Vendeen, developing over time to become proficient to hunt in the harsh Vendee region of France in packs for small game.

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
Friendly, very intelligent, can be a little stubborn but learns quickly, courageous.

General Breed Description
The PBGV, also known as ‘The Happy Breed’, is a hardy hound who is busy, curious, full of confidence and willing to please and he is always amusing his owners with his never ending play. He is white with a combination of patches of various hound colours.

Coat and Care Requirements
The PBGV, although not a heavy shedding dog, still does lose a certain amount of hair. The coat, consisting of a soft undercoat with a harsher topcoat, needs combing through with a metal comb once a week and 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 securely and only let to run free in well fenced areas, unless trained to come back at an early age.

Size
Height: Males and females 34 to 38cms.

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 PBGV as a breed is overall a healthy one, however both epilepsy and POAG (Primary Open Angled Glaucoma) are sometimes known to occur. There are now DNA tests for POAG.

Suitability
Being such a happy breed makes the PBGV a perfect dog for a family but also to be a great companion for a single person. They thrive as a house dog if they are given the plenty of exercise. As with all dogs, young children and pets should always be supervised when together. 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/144