Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, this short, long-backed rabbit hunter, is charming, stubborn, active, and wildly enthusiastic about everything.
Daily Care
Grooming Tips
The PBGV’s rough coat has a harsh texture and a thick, short undercoat. It is long, but not excessively so. The result is a dog with a natural, casual, tousled appearance.
The PBGV’s coat needs a minimum of grooming. Brush it weekly to remove any dead hair and tangles, and neaten stray hairs in front of the eyes as needed. Other than that, just keep his ears clean, his teeth brushed and his nails trimmed.
He’s definitely meant to be a no-fuss dog, but it doesn’t hurt to wipe his beard after he eats or drinks to help keep it clean. And because he likes to dig and run through brush and otherwise get dirty, you may find yourself bathing him on a pretty regular basis.
The rest is basic care. Trim the nails as needed, usually once a month. Brush the teeth frequently with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath. Check the ears weekly for dirt, redness or a bad odor that can indicate an infection.
If the ears look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball dampened with a gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner recommended by your veterinarian. You may also have to pluck hair from the ear canals to allow air to circulate and make it easier to remove wax and dirt. Start grooming a PBGV puppy at an early age so he becomes used to it and accepts it willingly.
Exercise Tips
The PBGV is a very active, curious dog who requires a great deal of exercise. He must have plenty of room to wander and explore. These dogs also have strong hunting instincts so they may be prone to chasing small animals around the house.
The PBGV has an extraordinary sense of smell and an often irresistible urge to follow scents that interest him, so exercising him when outside of his yard should always be done on a leash, as he will be prone to follow his nose and ignore all else. He makes a good companion for a hiker, runner, or biker who enjoys an active partner on jaunts.
Feeding Tips
As a small-breed dog, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen has higher energy needs than larger dogs. This being the case you should feed your dog a commercial dog food diet specially formulated for small-breed dogs.
Theyshould do well on high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval.
Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some PBGVs are prone to gettingoverweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level.
Treatscan be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about whichhuman foodsare safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
Health Tips
In 2004, the UK Kennel Club performed a health survey of Basset Griffon Vendeens and found that the average lifespan for the breed was about 12-14 years and the leading causes of death were cancer and old age. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is generally a healthy breed but, like all dogs, it is prone to developing certain health problems. Some of the problems most likely to affect this breed include recurrent ear infections,epilepsy, hypothyroidism, and persistent pupillary membranes.
Trainability
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is an intelligent breed which means that it should respond quickly to training. It is also important to note, however, that as a hound, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen can be a little stubborn and strong-willed at times.
To prevent problems in training your Petit Basset you should use positive reinforcement based training methods and maintain a firm and consistent hand in training.
The earlier you start training and socializing your dog, the better.The trainer must stay one step ahead in keeping his dog entertained and interested in what he is trying to teach. It is not that the PBGV is not eager to please; he is. However, his agenda just might be a bit different from your own. And his will seem infinitely more interesting.
History
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (PBGV) is a trailing Scenthound, developed to hunt small game over the rough and difficult terrain of the La Vendee district, located on the western coast of France.
It is one of the four ancient Griffon Vendeens breeds. The others include the Grand Griffon Vendeen, theBriquet Griffon Vendeenand theGrand Basset Griffon Vendeen. The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1990.
