The Basset Griffon Vendeen is a talented scent hound that was originally bred in France. This medium-sized, charming dog is a popular family pet that is good around children. The Basset Griffon Vendeen is still a relatively rare breed in the UK but is increasing in popularity. These Bassets have a calm nature, big personalities and lots of energy. The Basset Griffon Vendeen has a long body and lots of hair including bushy eyebrows, beard and moustache.
The Basset Griffon Vendeen is a medium-sized dog with an endearing appearance. The breed is well-balanced with a long body and slightly shorter legs. The Basset Griffon Vendeen has lots of shaggy hair, the hair covers their muzzle giving them a moustache and beard. The Griffon’s large oval eyes are dark in colour and their long eyebrows stand up away from their eyes so their view is not obstructed. The Basset Griffon Vendeen has narrow ears that fold inwards with an oval tip. The breed has a long tail that is set high and tapers to a tip.
There are two types of Basset Griffon Vendeen. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is larger with longer legs, a shaggy coat and a strong build. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen coat colours include black and tan, white or fawn, white and lemon or white and orange. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is shorter and lighter, the breed also sports a shaggy coat but tends to be black & tan or a white mix.
How big do Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs get?
Height - Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen Males: 40-44cm. Females: 39 - 43cm. Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Males: 34 - 38cm. Female: 34-38cm.
Weight - Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen Males: 18 - 20kg. Females: 18-20kg. Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Males: 14 - 18kg. Female: 14 - 18kg.
The Basset Griffon Vendeen is an intelligent but independent breed that needs early, consistent training. These dogs are very affectionate, loyal and love to be with their family. As they are high energy dogs they are best suited to living with active families who are happy to go for long walks. The Basset Griffon Vendeen is a highly adaptable breed that will enjoy most settings as long as they get enough exercise and mental stimulation.
Are Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs intelligent? Yes.
Are Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs affectionate? Yes.
Do Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs have high or low energy levels? High energy levels.
Are Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs loyal? Yes.
Are Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs playful? Yes, but they can be mischievous and boisterous.
Are Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs aggressive? No.
Are Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs easy to train? Not particularly, they have an independent nature that can make them more difficult to train than other Basset breeds.
Are Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs good guard dogs? No, they aren’t natural watchdogs.
The Basset Griffon Vendeen is a social breed that gets on well with other dogs. They can get along with cats too if they are brought up with them. The Basset Griffon Vendeen also has a reputation for being great with children of all ages. The breed has a playful, outgoing character that makes them ideal for young families. However, this Basset breed will be quick to chase smaller animals as they have a strong instinct to hunt.
Do Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs get along with other pets? Yes, but they have a high prey drive so care should be taken around smaller pets.
Do Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs get along with other dogs? Yes, they are very social dogs.
Are Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs good with kids? Yes, they love children (5/5).
Are Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs good with strangers? They may keep their distance and bark at strangers but are never aggressive.
A Basset Griffon Vendeen is an adaptable dog that can live anywhere as long as they get plenty of attention, receive regular training and go on interesting walks. As this scent hound has a lot of energy they are best suited to living with an active family where someone will be at home with them most of the time. Basset Griffon Vendeens will bark if they are left alone for a long period of time. These Bassets are sensitive so are better suited to living in areas with less noise.
Are Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs good for first-time owners? Yes, but they need to be trained and socialised from a young age.
Are Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs hypoallergenic? No.
Are Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs prone to drooling? Yes, they may drool a small amount.
Are Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs a good breed for apartment living? Yes, they are happy in apartments as long as they get enough exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom.
Do Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs shed a lot? They shed a small amount throughout the year but shed moderately in spring and autumn.
Do Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs bark a lot? Yes, they are quite vocal.
Can Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs be left alone at home? Yes but only for short periods.
Can Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs handle the heat? Yes but not extreme heat.
Can Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs handle cold temperatures? Yes.
Are Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs sensitive to loud noises? Yes.
The life expectancy of a Basset Griffon Vendeen is 12 - 14 years. Although the Basset Griffon Vendeen is generally a hardy breed there are a few health issues they may suffer from:
Hereditary Cataracts - Symptoms of cataracts include cloudiness in the eye, loss of vision and pain. The cataract can be treated or removed through surgery if needed. The Basset Griffon Vendeen breed inherits a high risk of cataracts.
Primary Glaucoma - This is high pressure inside the eye and in the case of Basset Griffon Vendeen is inherited. It is a condition that can cause eye pain, weepy eyes, cloudy eyes and even blindness if left untreated. Treatment includes anti-glaucoma medication.
Persistent Pupillary Membranes (PPM) - This is a birth defect relating to the eyes. Dogs with PPM may experience problems with their vision making them more clumsy. The issue usually resolves itself.
Pancreatitis - This is inflammation of the pancreas which can be painful and cause vomiting. Treatment usually includes medication, pain relief and rest. They will also need to eat small, low-fat meals.
Epilepsy - This is a common cause of seizures and can be treated with medication if your dog has multiple seizures.
Skin Allergies - Skin allergies can present as red, itchy skin, hair loss and infections. The treatment will depend on what your dog is allergic to but a vet will be able to test, diagnose and offer suitable treatment. The best thing to do is to avoid the triggers but medication can also be given to calm the skin infection or itchiness.
Hypothyroidism - Symptoms of hypothyroidism include low energy, weight gain and fur loss. Blood tests are used to diagnose this condition and treatment is a medication that will be administered for the rest of the dog’s life.
How long do Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs live? - 12-14 years
A Basset Griffon Vendeen requires at least 2 hours of exercise per day. In addition to daily walks, they need time in a secure area such as a large back garden as well as lots of interactive play. Basset Griffon Vendeens are excellent escape artists so it is important to make sure the back garden is fully secure before letting them out.
This breed loves to be outside as much as possible during the day and they struggle to sit still for too long. The Basset Griffon Vendeen is social so they won’t mind walks in the park and are equally as happy walking in the countryside. Either way, it is important to keep them on lead so they don’t wander off following a scent or chase smaller animals such as squirrels and rabbits.
How much exercise does a Basset Griffon Vendeen dog need? At least 2 hours per day
Do Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs like water play? Yes, they usually love water.
The Basset Griffon Vendeen is a breed that enjoys their food. They need to be fed nutritious, good quality dry food but it is important to monitor how much they eat to avoid weight gain. It’s recommended you feed a Basset Griffon Vendeen puppy between 180 - 340g of food per day depending on their age and size. This is just an estimate, every dog is unique so it is important to have a personal dietary plan made.
Are Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs prone to weight gain? Yes, these dogs are “foodies” so can put on weight if they are eating too much.
How much should I feed a Basset Griffon Vendeen puppy? Between 180 - 340g of good quality dry food per day, split into 3 - 4 portions.
How much should I feed an adult Basset Griffon Vendeen dog? Between 215 - 320g per day depending on the dog’s weight and activity level.
Grooming: The medium-length coat of the Basset Griffon Vendeen is low maintenance. Brushing them once a week will help keep their coats healthy and looking good. The Basset Griffon Vendeen sheds a small amount but will shed more in spring and autumn. The moustache and beard of the Griffon can become messy so keep an eye on this. It’s best to take your Basset Griffon Vendeen to a professional groomer every few months to be professionally hand-stripped. Their nails need to be trimmed periodically and their ears should be checked and cleaned as needed.
Emotional Care: the Basset Griffon Vendeen is an enthusiastic dog that always wants to be with their family. They are very active so need daily exercise and love to play. The Basset Griffon Vendeen is a scent hound that wants to follow their nose, this makes them curious and they are excellent escape artists too. A Basset Griffon Vendeen needs a secure outdoor space where they can spend time off-lead. Without plenty of training, exercise and play this breed can become bored and may start barking excessively.
History of the Basset Griffon Vendeen
The Basset Griffon Vendeen can be traced back as far as the 16th century. These excellent scent hounds were used for hunting rabbits and hares. Two sizes of the breed were developed; the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. The two sizes would occur in the same litter and crossbreeding between the two was common but this was stopped in the 1970s. The World Wars impacted the breed's numbers but huntsmen in France managed to keep the Basset Griffon Vendeen alive. These days, the Basset Griffon Vendeen is still used for hunting in France and the breed is becoming more popular in the UK as family dogs.
Breeding between the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen and Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen was banned in 1977
King Louis XII had Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens
The Basset Griffon Vendeen originates from France
Basset Griffon means low to the ground with a rough coat and Vendeen is the origin of the breed.
If you think the Basset Griffon Vendeen is right for you, take a look at our buying guide for up to date advice on finding and buying a puppy. Be aware of scams and never pay a deposit if you haven’t seen the puppy. All of the breeders on Puppies have been vetted to ensure they are responsible. Take a look at the Basset Griffon Vendeen puppy page to see if there are any available in your area.
As the Basset Griffon Vendeen is still a relatively rare breed in the UK you may need to join a waiting list to get one of these puppies.
How much does a Basset Griffon Vendeen cost to buy? £1,000 - £2,000
How much does a Basset Griffon Vendeen cost to feed? £50
How much does insurance for a Basset Griffon Vendeen cost? £40
You may also want to consider rescuing a Basset Griffon Vendeen. We’d recommend speaking to your local dog rescue centre about rehoming. The following associations may also be able to help:
Rehome a Basset Griffon Vendeen with The Basset Rescue Network Of Great Britain
Talk to The Basset Griffon Vendeen Club about rescues
