Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen Breed Guide: Temperament, Care and Health

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20264 min read

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is the larger, taller version of the PBGV, a sturdy rough-coated scent hound from western France. It is friendly, steady and good with families.

Origins and appearance

The breed was developed from the larger Griffon Vendeen to produce a dog with shorter legs, so that hunters on foot could keep up with the pack. GBGVs are long-bodied and medium-sized, with a long head, a bearded muzzle, long drop ears and a harsh coat in white with orange, lemon, tricolor or grizzle.

Temperament

GBGVs are good-natured, sociable and independent. They are friendly with people and other dogs, and enjoy family life. They are scent-driven and may ignore commands. They bay and bark. They may be stubborn and dislike being left alone. They are generally good with children.

Exercise

They need an hour or more of daily exercise, including walks and sniffing. They enjoy tracking and hiking. Provide secure fences and a leash outdoors. See recall training guide.

Training

They are smart but independent. Use food rewards and short sessions. House training can take time. Early socialization is easy. Keep recall training in secure areas.

Coat and grooming

The rough coat needs weekly brushing and light trimming. See wire coat dog grooming guide. Clean the ears and beard, and trim nails. They shed lightly.

Health considerations

Topics include:

• Ear infections. See dog ear infections
• Hip dysplasia. See hip dysplasia in dogs
• Bloat. See bloat and GDV in dogs
• Eye conditions
• Back problems
• Hypothyroidism

Living with a GBGV

They suit active families with fenced yards. They need company and exercise.

Behavior and daily management

A GBGV needs daily exercise and company. Provide scent games, chews and routine. Teach quiet cues, and keep fences secure.

Puppies and the first year

Puppies are playful and clumsy. Begin socialization, avoid heavy exercise while growing and start training. See puppy socialization checklist.

Costs and commitment

Plan for food, grooming and vet care. See dog vet cost guide.

Training notes

GBGVs respond to food and scent games. Keep sessions short and cheerful, and use a long line outdoors. Expect a hound's selective hearing, and manage it with fencing and leashes.

Seasons and travel

GBGVs tolerate cool weather but need shade in heat. They travel well when exercised.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes include underexercising, trusting recall, skipping ear care and overfeeding.

Questions to ask a breeder or rescue

Ask about hip scores, eye tests and the parents' temperaments.

Is it the right breed for you?

A GBGV suits active, patient owners who want a friendly, scruffy hound. It may not suit those wanting quiet or obedient dogs. For a smaller cousin, see the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

Working heritage and what it means at home

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen was developed to work for hours in rough, wet, brambly country, and that heritage shows in the dog's stamina and tolerance of mud. At home this means a GBGV is rarely a couch ornament: it wants real outings and will invent its own entertainment if it does not get them. Many owners find that a long weekend hike and shorter weekday walks, combined with scent games in the garden, keep the dog settled. Hide a handful of kibble in the grass, or lay a short trail with a favorite treat, and the dog will happily spend ten minutes absorbed in the search.

Coat care in practice

The harsh, wiry coat sheds dirt fairly well, but it still needs regular combing to prevent mats behind the ears and along the legs. Hand-stripping or light thinning a couple of times a year keeps the texture correct, and bathing is rarely needed more than every few months unless the dog finds something unpleasant to roll in. Dry the ears after wet walks.

Temperament with other animals

GBGVs usually get along with other dogs, especially if introduced early. Because they were bred to hunt small game, cats and small pets should be introduced carefully, and supervised until you know how your individual dog behaves.

Choosing a puppy

Ask to meet the mother, and watch how the litter behaves around strangers. A confident, curious puppy that recovers quickly from small surprises is a good sign, and a breeder who asks you questions about your lifestyle is usually one who cares where the puppies go.

The takeaway

GBGVs are friendly, scruffy and scent-driven, and they need exercise, patience and secure fencing.