Description
The PBGV is more like a terrier-like in temperament, and Basset Hound in appearance. This small-sized compact body breed should be about 50% longer than it is tall (as a rule of thumb), is nimble and has strong bones. With a free style gait, the PBGV looks as if it could stay out in the field all day, developed for its body form and ability to push its way after prey through dense thickets. With a double coat that is long and rough, the face of the PBGV resembles a Scottish Terrier with the beard and mustache.
As it is part of the hound group, the ears droop like that of a hound, with a tail that is long and tapered to the end, similar in appearance to a slightly curved sword. Part of the family of scenthounds, which have very distinctive features for their purpose--larger noses than other breeds; open and deep nostrils; loose and moist lips--all the features needed to pick up the scent and follow the trail of their prey. Strong bodies are built for endurance on the trail or out in the field, with the scenthounds bred with small legs for the hunter who hunts on foot, as compared to those on horseback. The scenthounds ran in a pack with loud and deep baying sounds to alert the hunter of a prey\'s location, which they still have when someone comes to visit.
Coat Description
The coat of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is wire or rough-coated and has an undercoat for protection when hunting the underbrush. It is best described as slightly medium to long in length without any exaggeration, rough textured, and harsh to the touch--with a rather "messy look" about it. This scruffy look is actually derived from the look of the long eyebrows, beard and moustache, that give the dog its unique look. Weekly brushing will be required as this type of coat looks scraggly on a normal basis, but without brushing it will look a lot worse due to its rough coat and scattered-hair directional flow.
The colors of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are primarily white with spots that are colored orange, lemon, gray, or black. Other acceptable colors are bicolor, tricolor, or grizzling. The French refer to one color as "markings of hare-color, which is also called sable.
The prevalent coat pattern of the PBGV is open-marked, with white spots and patches, and an occasional dog with blanket or broken blanket patterns. Also, dogs that carry the gene for "half masks" (one eye or both is surrounded by white instead of colored hair) or dogs with the genes for ticking (fine flecks of color of varying density in their white areas) are seen in this breed.
But like many breeds, popularity depends on the whims of the general public and the present popularity cycle. At this time, the darker colors are more popular with the lemon coloring being the least popular. Tomorrow that could change.
History
The origin and history of any breed needs to be researched before buying a particular breed, especially if the breed is new to the person, out of respect to the dog and common sense to the prospective owner. Researching the little Petit Basset will be exciting, as it has ancient origins in the France area of Vendee and its historical development covers over 400 years, even though it is new to the United States. Originally developed to hunt rabbits and small game, the dog was bred to be worked as one dog, two (also called a "brace," or a pack of dogs.
To understand the breed standards of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, looking at the area in France of its development is almost necessary--rocks, brush, bramble, thorn bushes, and rough terrain--in an environment that is damp and cool. An area that a hunter on horseback could not get through, the dog was bred to hunt with him on foot and be a companion every hour and every minute of the day. The qualities that were needed were agility, strength, determination, a loud and strong voice, and a rough coat that rain or the elements, in addition to the brambles and thorns, could not penetrate---qualities that would make this dog a menace when cooped up in a small apartment unattended.
Its breed characteristics were fixed by Abel Desamy, a French breeder, with the Petit developed for hunting rabbits. The French were not only influential in the development and refining of the hunting hounds, but it had its start there. Not knowing much about the scientific areas of dog genes, they bred dogs that were of such high quality they are still with us today, as the hound was the first dog to have its breed type "standardized." Taking hound casual breeding (talked over at the local tavern or after dinner at a friend\'s home) into a science, they developed four varieties of the Griffon Vendeen.
Grand Griffon--the largest variety, measuring approximately 23 1/2 inches at the withers
Briquet Griffon--medium sized dog, measuring approximately 20-22 inches at the withers.
Grand Basset--smaller sized dog, measuring approximately 15-17 inches at the withers.
Petit Basset--smallest sized dog, measuring 13-15 inches at the shoulder.
Originally developed from the white St. Hubert and the white/tan hound for the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, and an addition of the "King\'s Whie" Grand Griffon for the larger, heavier, and longer "Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen," the two hunting breeds are part of a package of four breeds, with these two being bred together up until 1975 when it became prohibited. New to the United States as a companion dog, the little Petit has been in France for almost 100 years for hunting rabbits. The official Basset Griffon Vendeen Club was formed in France around 1907, which then became known as the Club du Griffon Vendeen when all four varieties of the dog were accepted. In the United States, the P.B.G.V. Club of America was formed on November 19, 1984, with the dogs being able to compete in AKC licensed shows in 1991.
Temperament
The Petits are a wonderfully happy dog that is not only comical, but very mischievous. With their hound\'s voice and constant tail wagging, they are an irresistible dog with the most comical face on any breed. It is very hard to turn away from this cute dog, even though they are rather independent and slightly obstinate, always wanting to be in the limelight. But unless a new owner researches the breed, they may not have what they really want as this is a very dedicated breed--to hunting, digging, chasing varmints. This breed was bred to hunt in a pack, and those instincts are still very much part of the breed\'s standard. Highly alert and willful, it is always a charming little \'cutie with that scraggly face and heart-filled eyes.
Generally good with other pets, they are not good with other non-canine animals due to their hunting instincts. But they are good with people and children, always wanting to be involved with the family function. The problem with this breed of dog is their intelligence level. Unless the owner acquires and maintains the "alpha" position right away with correct training, this little dog will set its own personal agenda on its own time. This is a very sad thing, as the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen has a very strong desire to please their owner, and unless training is begun at a young age--the agenda of the owner and the dog may be with two entirely different things, which can be quite a catastrophe.
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is one of the few healthy breeds with very few manor diseases to worry about, even though there are a few minor ones- otitis externa and hip dysplasia But even less are the occasional diseases of meningitis, patellar luxation, and epilepsy. When purchasing a PBGV, watch for testing done on the hips, or have it done if you see any issues.
