Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
When thinking about energetic dogs who excel in dog sports, people usually envision German Shepherd or Border Collie, forgetting that small size dogs are equally energetic.
Therefore, when thinking about a great dog breed for sports competition, you should think about small Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen.
This French rabbit-hunting hound is known for having light-foot and a happy demeanor.
This small size dog was bred to work in a pack, which is the main reason why they do great with other dogs and children.
Still, make sure that your children are well-educated on how to behave around dogs.
Smaller children tend to see smaller dogs as toys and aren’t afraid to pull their tails or ears, which can lead to unwanted situations.
Does it sound like this dog’s name is too long? If so, that’s because it is.
Here is what Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen actually means: Petit (small), Basset (low), Griffon (shaggy), Venden (from the Vende region of France).
All in, this name gives you a dog of 13 to 15 inches, with short legs, a rough coat, and up to 40 pounds.
Life expectancy in this breed is between 14 to 16 years if you provide the proper nutrition, care, regular check-ups, and an overall nurturing environment.
Quick Facts
Real name: Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
Other names: PBGV
Origin: France
Breed type: Hound Dogs
Weight: 30 to 40 pounds
Height: 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Lifespan: Over 10 years
Litter Size: 4 – 6 puppies
Color: White with any combination of lemon, orange, black, tri-colour or grizzle markings
Coat: Rough and medium length coat
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen History
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is considered otbe a young bree. This puff breed made its debut in New York in 1992.
They may be young, but they are of ancient descent. In fact, their roots can be traced back to the 16th century to their larger relative, the Griffon Vendéen.
This is an all-French breed and his name reveals it:
- Petit – small
- Basset – set low to the ground
- Griffon – wire coated
- Vendéen – this is an area in France where this breed originated
Even today, when these logs can be found as companion dogs, some may be found serving their initial purpose.
Originally, these small size dogs were used to hunt small game, especially rabbits. Sometime in the 19th century, the first breed standard was created while the Club du Basset Griffon Vendéen was founded in 1907.
In 1989, the PBGV was accepted by the AKC, under their Miscellaneous class.
The full recognition of the breed came in 1991. This milestone directed to the breed’s stronger popularity, which results in a higher number of registered puppies on a yearly level.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Physical Apperance
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a small size body wih a longish back.
There shouldn’t be any major differences between males and females. Both representatives of the breed should have a wiry coat, bearded face, and a happy attitude.
Some dog lovers would say that when they look at this breed they don’t see only Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, but many brees, including Beagle, Dachshund, and some traits of Basset Hound.
Don’t let your eyes trick you, because this small size dog is not related to the Basset Hound.
Compared to Bassed Hound, the PBGV is smaller, much lighter, and more agile and outgoing.
All in all, PBGV is an old breed, and it’s easily seen in the breed’s appearance.
These energetic dogs usually have between 30 to 40 pounds and between 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen comes with a harsh and double coat that is long and rough.
They also have recognizable hair on the face and body hair set on the legs. Hair on the face resembles a beard and mustache.
These active dogs have very long eyelashes. As for the colors, they are commonly white with orange, lemon, grizzle, or black spots.
They may be bicolor, tricolor, or have grizzling.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Personality
If you want to share your living space with PGBV you need to have a great sense of humor. This dog will do his best to make you laugh no matter what.
Keeping you happy will be his first mission. These small size dogs are intelligent, smart, and curious.
Don’t let the PGBV’s size trick you, because this dog is anything but a regular couch potato.
PGBV will love outdoor time and push you to be active, regardless of your desires. After all, they have been used as hunting dogs for centuries and they still have the typical hound’s desire to be on the trail.
Are you into hikes? Great, because your PGBV will be more than happy to join you.
Just make sure that you know how to hike with your dog safely.
This breed will do great with dog sports, such as agility and obedience. They will be happy to mingle with children as long as children are educated on how to behave around dogs.
Children should know not to pull a dog’s ear or tail, and not to disturb them while they are eating, resting, drinking water, playing with their toys, or just resting in their crate.
Dogs should know house dog rules and how to behave around children. No matter how great your child and your dog may get along their interaction should always be supervised.
Do Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Bark A Lot?
Like any other dog breed, PBGVs will bark to inform you that something shady is happening.
Otherwise, they will be calm and silent. However, if you anyhow neglect them, leave them all day alone, or you don’t provide enough exercise they will have to share their opinion on that sort of behavior.
That being said, expect barking and even destructive chewing. If you are more of an indoor person, this dog isn’t for you.
PBGVs prefer active owners, who will provide enough care and outdoor space for them to be active and burn that extra energy.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Training
Training is what should keep your Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen busy and happy.
Dogs love when there is a job to be done. After all, they were all bred to perform a certain task. That being said, for dogs training is a form of task.
They will do their best to perform the task properly which is why you should always provide a treat afterward.
Make sure that your training sessions are reward-based, and never use any harsh training methods.
Dogs thrive on positive reinforcement methods. To get the most out of training sessions, make them fun, consistent, engaging, and packed with treats.
For extra support, think about hiring a professional dog trainer or enroll your pup in puppy classes.
Both options can serve as a great way to speed up your training efforts and bond further with your Fido.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Grooming
To have your PBGV always looking neat, fresh, and clean you should provide proper care. This means that next to high-quality food, and regular exercise, you should provide regular grooming.
Is just brushing your PBGV enough to keep him well-groomed? Simply said, no.
Brushing is just one part of the grooming practice. For a clean coat that is debris-free, you should brush your PBGV weekly, up to twice per week.
The rest is basic care:
- Trim or grind nails montlhy
- Bathe only when needed
- Clean dog’s ears
- Check gums weekly
- Bathe only when needed
- Check eyes daily for any sign of eye discharge
To make the grooming process fast and easy, make sure that you have the right grooming tools on hand. This way you will find grooming more enjoyable.
Don’t forget that brushing is a great time to bond with your Fido more.
Also, check the dog’s skin for any fleas or signs of skin infection. Always serve a treat afterward.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Health
How healthy is your Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen? The only way to know this for sure is to provide regular veterinarian check-ups.
No matter how did you get your dog, through a shop or adoption program, you should take your PBGV to your veterinarian for a full check-up. This is the only way to know for sure how healthy your dog is.
Once you get a dog you are directly responsible for his weight. Make sure that you provide the best nutrition possible.
Learn how much you should feed your dog based on his weight, size, and activity level.
Learn how to read dog food labels, and which human foods should be out of reach.
Still, you may provide the best care and your PBGV may end up being sick.
Every breed is prone to certain health issues and what it comes to PBGV it usually includes the following:
- Hip dysplasia
- Patellar luxation
- Autoimmune hypothyroidism
- Seizures
- Heart murmurs
- Eye problems
This doesn’t mean that your PBGV may experience any of the listed issues, but it means that you should do your research on these diseases and talk with your veterinarian about how to prevent them.
Is Petit Basset Griffon For You?
If you have soft spot for an active dog of a small size this is a breed to consider.
They are energetic dogs who are always on the lookout for their next big adventure.
Make sure that you keep up with this breed before you open your home doors to this bold and robust dog.
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