Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen
Also known as GBGV
- Height at the withers
- 39 to 44 cm
- Weight
- 18 to 20 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 14 years
- Daily activity
- 90 minutes
- Origin
- France
- FCI group
- 6 · Scent hounds
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with young children
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- noise-sensitive neighbors: it likes to bark
- off-leash walks: strong prey drive and unreliable recall
Overview
A medium-sized basset with a long body, straight legs and a harsh, flat coat that is not too long, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is the fastest of all the bassets. Tenacious, brave, cheerful and a little stubborn, it hunts hare, roe deer or wild boar for the gun, and can become a sociable family companion as long as you work on its recall from a very young age.
History and origins
Like all bassets, it comes from larger dogs, in this case the Grand Griffon Vendéen. The first selection work was done in the late 19th century by Count d’Elva, who was looking for straight-legged dogs, then Paul Dezamy set the type, keeping it tall enough to run down hare with a pack. Recognized by the FCI (standard no. 33), it shares its breed club with the three other Vendéen breeds. It has earned a fine reputation abroad, especially in the United Kingdom, but remains rare in France, with about fifty registrations with the French Kennel Club (LOF) a year.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Ear infections
- Skin problems (dermatitis)
- Epilepsy
- Hip dysplasia
- Herniated disc (long back)
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Medium-length, harsh coat. Low shedding, average coat care. Coat colors: white and black, black and tan, black with sand markings, white and orange, tricolor, fawn with black overlay, sand with black overlay.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With cats
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Very high, 5 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Shedding
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Very vocal, 5 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen FAQ
How big does the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen get?
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen stands 39 to 44 cm at the withers and weighs 18 to 20 kg. It is a medium-sized dog.
Does the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen shed a lot?
It sheds little and its coat needs average care.
Can the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better. Mind the neighbors: it barks readily.
How much exercise does the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen need each day?
Allow about 90 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen good with children?
Yes: patient and gentle, it is an excellent family dog, even with young children. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are ear infections and skin problems.
