Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is distinguished by its hunting qualities – perseverance and diligence, curiosity and excitement, stamina and stubbornness. They are very hardy; they love to hunt and are not afraid of obstacles. Representatives of this breed are still considered one of the best in hunting big prey. They are brilliant and agile, which allows these pets to chase the fastest deer without problems.

Breed Photos

Origin History

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen, the breed’s name, translates to “the big, short, shaggy dog of Vendée.” This handsome dog is originally from France.

The breed’s ancestors are Italian stiff-haired and southern hound dogs, which were crossed in the 16th century in France’s western region called the Vendée. The breed was used for hunting large prey.

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is one of the large breeds among the Vandey Griffons; it was used to breed a smaller breed. For a while, the Grand and Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen were considered one breed, but at the end of the twentieth century, separate standards were adopted for them, after which their interbreeding was prohibited.

Appearance

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is an attractive, long-eared, four-legged friend. Representatives of the breed are large dogs with a heavyweight. At the same time, the dog has low limbs. The coat of the pet is thick, long, and stiff. The color of the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is dominated by white as a background color, on which there are spots. The spots can be gray, light gray, fawn, and paddock colors.

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen has a beard and mustache. The pet’s eyes are covered by thick overhanging eyebrows, making his look serious. The shape of the eyes is round, medium-sized. The pet’s ears are drooping, covered with stiff and long hair both outside and inside.

Character

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is distinguished by its hunting qualities – perseverance and diligence, curiosity and excitement, stamina and stubbornness. They are very hardy; they love to hunt and are not afraid of obstacles. Representatives of this breed are still considered one of the best in hunting big prey. They are brilliant and agile, which allows these pets to chase the fastest deer without problems.

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is a very friendly dog; it easily makes contact with strangers. At the same time, these pets are very loyal to their owner, get along well with children and get along with other animals. They very much do not like solitude, so you should not leave them alone for a long time.

Care

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen, as the owner of a thick and shaggy coat, needs its careful care. It is necessary to comb the pet every week, using a brush with wide teeth. During the molting period, you should use the special comb for hair combing – furminator. About twice a year, the hair should be trimmed with scissors. The pet can be bathed no more than three times a month. Following these care rules will help maintain the beautiful appearance of the basset griffon, which its nature bestowed on it.

Like all owners of saggy ears, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen needs regular cleaning of the ears. From time to time, they need to be wiped with a damp natural cloth.

This breed needs regular exercise, so don’t forget about walks and other outdoor activities. A trip to the woods or a park where your pet would have plenty of room to run around is an excellent idea for a weekend getaway.

Training

Training the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is not easy, as this breed is not easy to train because of its difficult character. They like to follow their instincts rather than the instructions of others. Encouragement in the form of the pet’s favorite treats can make the learning process easier.

Harshness and severity towards the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen will not help achieve the desired result in training, but rather make it even more stubborn.

Common Diseases

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is a breed that is generally characterized by good health. However, it should be remembered that young members of this breed have a susceptible and thin spine. It is desirable to avoid any injuries and large loads to protect the back of the pet at an early age.

Among this breed, the most common diseases are cardiovascular diseases, ear infections and inflammations, epilepsy, glaucoma, and cancer. Most often, such diseases appear after the pet reaches 11 years of age.

Nutrition

In nutrition, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen needs a balance of exercise and portion size, as this breed is prone to obesity. If the dog thoroughly licks the food from the bowl, it means that the portion can be increased slightly. But if the dog is stretching out and getting distracted at the end of a meal, the portion needs to be reduced.

When using a natural diet, it is necessary to observe different types of meat and sufficient water. To provide the necessary vitamins, the pet can be fed vegetables and porridge, adding seasonal herbs to the diet.