Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen dog

Lively French scent hound bred to pursue rabbits through dense, rugged cover.

Size Weight Height Lifespan
Medium 25 - 40 lbs 13 - 15 inches 14 - 16 years
(These are estimates and may vary.)

Origin: France



Own a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen? Share what activities they enjoy to help other dog owners.

Running Digging Swimming Exploring Playing with Toys Obedience Training Tracking Herding Fetch Hiking Socializing Tug Of War Frisbee Chewing Agility Training Cuddling Guarding Hunting

Know a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen? Share their personality traits to help other dog owners.

Clever Protective Affectionate Stubborn Confident Fearless Friendly Docile Energetic Calm Patient Aggressive Gentle Sociable Adaptable Playful Independent Clever Agile Loyal

May be a good fit if you:

  • Are looking for a breed that generally does well with children.
  • Want a dog that generally gets along well with other dogs.
  • Want a breed that tends to adapt well to apartment living.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen comes from the Vendée region of western France, where hunters developed rough-coated scent hounds suited to thick vegetation and uneven ground. Its descriptive French name tells much of the story: "petit" refers to the smaller variety, "basset" to its low stature, "griffon" to its rough coat, and Vendéen to its region of origin. These dogs were used primarily to pursue rabbits and other small game by scent. Short legs allowed hunters to follow them on foot, while a harsh coat protected the dogs as they pushed through thorny brush. The Petit and the larger Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen were once treated largely as size varieties and could be interbred. French breeder Abel Dezamy played an important role in defining the Petit as a more distinct, balanced hunting hound rather than simply a shorter version of the Grand. Crossbreeding between the two varieties continued well into the 20th century before eventually being prohibited. The Petit developed a devoted following outside France and received American Kennel Club recognition in 1990. Its cheerful appearance can disguise a very determined scent hound: once an interesting trail is found, centuries of selection for independent pursuit can become much more important to the dog than its owner's plans.

Frequently Asked Questions About Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is not generally considered hypoallergenic. Individual allergy reactions can vary.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen tends to have a moderate level of shedding.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen generally needs a moderate amount of routine grooming.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen generally has a moderate energy level.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen generally benefits from a moderate amount of daily exercise.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen can be more challenging to train and may require additional patience and consistency.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen generally tends to do well with children when properly socialized and supervised.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen generally tends to get along well with other dogs when properly socialized.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen may be more challenging for a first-time owner and can benefit from an experienced, consistent approach.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen generally tends to adapt well to apartment living when its exercise and enrichment needs are met.