Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen, often shortened to GBGV, is a long-backed, short-legged scenthound from the Vendée region of France. It is still used to hunt boar and deer and to track rabbit and hare, though it is now more often kept as a pet.

History

The breed descends from the Grand Griffon. The first selections were made at the end of the 19th century by the Comte d’Elva, who was looking for dogs with straight legs. Paul Dézamy did most to fix the type. He saw that catching a hare called for a dog of a certain size, and set the height at about 43 cm.

Today the GBGV is used mainly for hunting with a gun and can work any furred game, from rabbit to wild boar. A team of Grand Bassets won the fifth European Cup for hare. It is one of six basset breeds recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

Appearance

Males stand 40–44 cm and females 39–43 cm. The coat is hard, flat and not too long, never silky or woolly. It may be white with any mix of lemon, orange, sable, grizzle or black markings, tricolor, or black and tan.

Temperament

Grand Bassets are usually amiable and outgoing. Bred to hunt in packs, they tend to get on well with other dogs. They have a strong prey drive, like to follow their noses and can be quite vocal. Some owners report guarding of food and other resources, especially in young dogs.

Care and health

A 2004 UK Kennel Club survey covered the Basset Griffon Vendéen varieties together. Among 76 dogs that had died, the average age was 12.1 years and the oldest reached 17.3; this is typical or slightly better than other breeds of similar size. The leading causes of death were cancer, old age and heart problems. Among living dogs, owners most often reported reproductive problems, skin trouble such as dermatitis and mites, and ear trouble such as otitis externa, excess wax and ear mites.

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