At first sight Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen (GBGV) dogs are nice who love people and excel in kindness.
However, they are enthusiastic hounds with excellent nose, they are the fastest scent hounds among the bassets they are persistent and brave.
History:
The breed originated in France dating back to the 15th -16th century, however, it was not before the 18th-19th century that the breed came into being which keeps changing since then.
Paul Dezamy (the president of Basset Griffon Vendéen Club established in 1907) fixed the size of GBGV at about 42 cm at the beginning of 1900s. Today size adjusts to the standard published by F.C.I in 1999 which is in case of female dogs: 39-43 cm, in case of male dogs 40-44 cm ( with 1 cm tolerance of course).
Griffon Vendéen hounds exist in 4 sizes (4 types of breed) today: the ancient Grand Griffon Vendéen, the mid-size Briquet Griffon, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen and Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen.
The Petit and Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen became separated in 1951, that’s when the two different dog breeds were officially declared by the Griffon Vendéen Club in France.
The GBGV name truly reflects the breed itself.
G- grand:”big”, this adjective shows the difference from the petit (small) basset griffon vendéen.
B- basset: refers to the long- backed body
G- griffon: thick, wire-haired,
V- Vendéen: French territory from where the breed comes from
Dog -Keeping:
They need constant attention regardless you keep them in your flat or your garden they require and love trainings they do their best to perform well. They need mild exercises in nature on a daily basis to keep fit.
The GBGV is an „ after search” hound, foxhound. Even if we do not hunt with them, it is well worth taking them to a dog school where they can track by scent because they love using their nose.
They love water and they can swim in an excellent way. They can easily be taught to retrieve they do all the exercises with enthusiasm. Basically, they can be taught for everything, all you need is to be patient, persistent and practise with them a lot. GBGV will be your partner in everything.
They get on well with other dogs, but it is needed for them to be socialised when they are puppies, they need to be with other dogs. They are confidential with people they are always willing to please strangers. In spite of all these, they are especially very good indicators, by using their low deep voice they give signals warning us about the appearance of strangers in their own territory (the depth of their voice would assume a bigger dog).
Health- Care (grooming): In general they are healthy. If they are kept well, ideally they can live for 15 years.
GBGV is a fast-growing breed, so it is essential to pay attention to decent nutrition when they are puppies (as well) and not to overdose protein. It is not allowed to run with them or burden them artificially until they are at least one year old since their fast-growing joints can be ruined.
Their long ears facilitate their excellent smelling (ears forward smell in the direction of nose) but ear care is vitally important. You need to remove hair from auditory when they are 3-4 months old.
You should use something (ear powder) to avoid painful hair removal. Since their auditory canals are typically long, we have to check how clean they are on a weekly basis and we have to keep them clean with ear care fluid if needed.
Awn means further danger for the health of their ears which causes serious infection if it goes into the auditory canal or in extreme cases it can lead to irreversible health damage. (If you live in an area where there are awns, use ear net to prevent awns getting into the auditory canals)
According to the special literature „Sudden Pain Syndrome” tends to appear with 5-12 months old puppies. This „ migratory limping” – if noticed early- can disappear with 18-24 months old puppies
To maintain proper hair care to its coat is vitally important for good health. The coat of GBGV needs regular trimming and grooming/combing when needed (with a proper brush for their hair) Hair if hanging over their eyes should be removed. If you take care of hair care, they shed very small amount of hair. Hair has to be cut out from among their fingers on their sole, otherwise trim their coat exclusively, you mustn’t cut their hair with scissors this way we can get a harder and better quality of coat which is typical for GBGV. Of course their nails have to be cut occasionally.
Training: They learn easy and fast. They like to please their owner. As they got into the new family, their instruction has to be started at early age.
They can acquire the basic command words (sit, down, come) in a few days, especially when we increase their motivation with reward treats.
They are proud of themselves if they manage to do something when they feel what they are doing is right.
They can learn anything with pleasure but it is worth making a good use of their unnecessary energy in a positive way. Either we are the ones who train them or we take them to dog school or they prepare for dog exhibition, brain work is as important in the everyday life of a healthy dog as physical training.
It is essential to get a GBGV to work mentally because this way we can live with a balanced, calm and happy dog. In spite of their kindness and charming look they have to be raised consistently from the first moment, we need to set the barriers.
They have to learn what is allowed for them and what is not. (Otherwise they can take the lead and become „master of hounds”)
Among GBGV dogs there species tending to become more dominant but with proper education these dogs can also fit in the family just like less dominant types.
GBGV is an ideal family member and a loyal partner. Their kindness cheers us up every day of the week. They are entertaining, bohemian dogs and life without them would be boring.
Dr. Földi Barbara – Happy Wonder Kennel (www.grandbasset.hu)
Source:
Vivien Phillips: This is the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen
and own experience of the owner of Happy Wonder Kennel (dr. Földi Barbara)
