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The Full Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Description

Their raggedy looks, small size, and sparky personality have won them many admirers. Though Basset is part of his name, he is not like a Basset Hound. He is more like a terrier; curious and busy, determined and smart. The Petits need plenty of exercise and attention.

Did you know?

The breed can be traced to the sixteenth century and to the Griffon Vendéen, his larger, more powerful ancestor.
His name in French reveals much about him: Petit - small; Basset - low to the ground; Griffon - rough or wire coated; and Vendéen - the area of France in which he originated.

So you want to own a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen?

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a scent hound, who uses its nose to hunt small game over rough and difficult terrain.
Bold and vivacious in character, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen has a good voice which he uses freely.
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a happy extroverted dog who is independent, but willing to please.

Indicative Breed Standard

General Appearance

Well balanced, short-legged, compact hound. Rough-coated with alert outlook and lively bearing.

Characteristics

Strong, active hound capable of a day’s hunting, with a good voice freely used.

Temperament

Happy, extrovert, independent, yet willing to please.

Head and Skull

Medium in length, not too wide, oval in shape when viewed from front. Well cut away under eyes; stop clearly defined; occipital bone well developed. Muzzle slightly shorter than from stop to occipital point. Underjaw strong and well developed. Nose black, large with wide nostrils. Eyes surmounted by long eyebrows standing forward but not to obscure eyes; lips covered with long hair forming beard and moustache.

Eyes

Large, dark, showing no white, with friendly, intelligent expression. Red of lower eyelid not showing.

Ears

Supple, narrow and fine, covered with long hair, folding inwards, ending in an oval shape; reaching to end of nose; set on low, not above line of eye.

Mouth

Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite acceptable.

Neck

Long and strong, set into well laid shoulders; without throatiness; carrying head proudly.

Forequarters

Shoulders clean and sloping; elbows close to body. Forelegs straight, a slight crook acceptable; thick and well boned. Pasterns strong and slightly sloping. Knuckling over highly undesirable.

Body

Chest deep with prominent sternum; ribs moderately rounded extending well back. Back of medium length; level topline with slight arching over strong loins.

Hindquarters

Strong and muscular with good bend of stifle. Well defined second thigh. Hocks short and well angulated.

Feet

Hard, tight padded, not too long. Nails strong and short.

Tail

Of medium length; set on high, strong at base, tapering regularly, well furnished with hair; carried proudly like the blade of a sabre.

Gait/Movement

Free at all paces, with great drive. Front action straight and reaching well forward; hocks turning neither in nor out.

Coat

Rough, long without exaggeration and harsh to the touch, with thick undercoat, never silky or woolly. Shown untrimmed.

Colour

White with any combination of lemon, orange, tricolour or grizzle markings.

Size

Height 33-38 cms (13-15 ins).