fellfolioRough-coated scent hound from Vendée
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a small French scent hound with a rough coat, a beard and a cheerful appearance. Developed to hunt through dense vegetation, it brings considerable persistence to following scents. Daily life works well when walks, scent games, coat care and patient training are all given time.
At a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height at shoulder
- 34 to 38 cm
- Lifespan
- over 10 years
- Activity
- High
- Grooming
- Several times weekly
- Training
- Patience & clear guidance
- Owner experience
- Experience recommended
Curious, lively and keen to join in
A Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen enjoys investigating what is happening around it. Its cheerful appearance fits the lively behaviour described in the breed standard. It was expected to work persistently through thick cover when hunting. That same determination can become apparent around an interesting trail on a walk. Its nose is an important way of making sense of its surroundings.
People who enjoy sharing activities with their dog can find this very rewarding. Training should start with an exercise simple enough for the dog to manage. You should reward a successful attempt with a treat or a brief game. Outdoors, permission to return to sniffing may be a useful reward too. Several short sessions are easy to fit into the day and help keep tasks varied.
Everyday life
Walks should allow plenty of time for sniffing. Food searches or looking for a toy the dog can initially find easily are useful additions. The difficulty should increase only after the dog understands the game. Food used for these activities should come from the planned daily allowance.
Hunting interest should also shape the choice of walking routes. In areas with wildlife, a lead should stop the dog following a trail out of reach. Recall means coming back on an agreed cue and should first be practised in quiet surroundings. Distance and distractions can then grow gradually. A long training line provides more room during practice. Reliable fenced spaces are suitable for running freely.
At home, shared activities should be balanced with undisturbed rest. A bed away from busy routes through the house can help. Children and visitors should leave the dog alone when it settles there. With a lively dog, building this routine deserves as much attention as teaching games and other skills.
Staying home alone
Dogs learn to stay home alone in small steps. The RSPCA advises no more than four hours at a time. Puppies and dogs that become unsettled when left alone need shorter absences and gradual practice. Arrange someone to care for your dog when you will be away longer.
Everyday dog training: recall, a loose lead and clear communication ↗
Day-to-day care
The rough coat needs regular brushing and combing. After exploring bushes, you should check for small tangles and caught plant material. A comb helps establish whether the hair is free of knots down to the skin. Any pulling areas should be worked through gently. Firm matting is a reason to seek help from a groomer.
The beard can also become wet or dirty during meals and should be cleaned and dried when needed. Hanging ears, nails and teeth are other parts of routine care. A suitable dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste should be introduced gradually. Frequent head shaking, an unpleasant smell from the ears, painful chewing or difficulty walking should be assessed by a vet.
Size and build
The name describes the breed neatly. Petit means small, basset refers to the low build, griffon to the rough coat and vendéen to France’s Vendée region. The Petit is a separate breed from the larger Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen. Its international standard gives adults a height of 34 to 38 centimetres.
A young dog should meet new situations with enough time and pleasant experiences. Grooming, walking on a lead, calm dog encounters and short periods alone are all useful things to introduce. For an adult rescue dog, you should ask about previous walks, hunting behaviour and habits indoors. The first days should allow it to become familiar with people, routes and resting places before many new demands are added.
From puppy to senior: caring for your dog through every life stage ↗
Health
Before buying a puppy, you should ask about health examinations of both parents. The Royal Kennel Club lists a DNA test for POAG-5 and a clinical eye examination for the Petit. POAG is an inherited form of glaucoma. Pressure within the eye rises gradually and vision can be lost. It can develop without obvious pain, so changes in sight need veterinary assessment even if the dog otherwise seems well.
A DNA test checks a particular inherited variant, while a clinical examination assesses the eyes themselves. Ask for the available results to be explained and discuss further preventative care with your vet. Weight, teeth, vaccinations and parasite protection also need attention. A painful eye or a sudden change in an eye calls for immediate contact with the practice.
Could this breed fit your life?
Could work well if …
- The Petit suits people who enjoy accompanying a lively scent hound on its explorations and have time for grooming and training.
- Small pets should have reliable physical separation. Introductions to a cat should be planned around the previous experiences of the individual animals.
- Adults should supervise activities with children. Being left undisturbed to sleep and eat should become as familiar as playing and going for walks.
What to consider
- Scents can strongly hold its attention. Lead restraint and recall practice should both be included in the plan.
- The rough coat can collect plant material and tangles on outings. Regular thorough checks should be part of grooming.
Similar needs, different dogs.
Selected by shared size, activity, grooming and training characteristics.
Small Australian wire coated terrier
Australian Terrier
The Australian Terrier is a small, alert dog that enjoys getting out and exploring. Its harsh coat and distinctive neck ruff reflect a working background. At home it often wants to be close to its people, while a scent or a small animal can capture its attention outdoors.
Terrier
Border Terrier
A small, hardy terrier with a strong appetite for activity. It loves sniffing, digging and games, but a whiff of wildlife can put recall to the test.
Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell Terrier is a small hunting dog with plenty of stamina. It likes to run and search, and needs daily exercise, scent games and recall training.
Sources and photograph credit
- Teaching your dog to be left alone
Used in this profile for: Staying home alone
- Healthcare for your dog
Used in this profile for: Day-to-day care, Health
- Dental disease in dogs
Used in this profile for: Day-to-day care
- Eye problems in dogs
Used in this profile for: Health
- How to give your pet a health check at home
Used in this profile for: Day-to-day care
- Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen breed standard
Used in this profile for: Size / Weight, Temperament, Everyday life, Day-to-day care, Size and build, Could this breed fit your life?
- DNA test: primary open angle glaucoma
Used in this profile for: Health
- Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
Used in this profile for: Temperament, Everyday life, Day-to-day care, Size and build, Health, Lifespan, Could this breed fit your life?
- Caring for your puppy
Used in this profile for: Size and build
- Train your dog to come when called
Used in this profile for: Everyday life, Size and build, Could this breed fit your life?
Photo credits
Portrait · Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen.jpg · Nathan150 · CC BY 2.0 · Edited
Coat and features · Petit basset grifon vendeen glowa45.jpg · Pleple2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Edited
Everyday life · Petit basset grifon vendeen t666.jpg · Pleple2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Edited
Side view · Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen in Tallinn 2.JPG · Томасина · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Edited
