General Appearance
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a scent hound developed to hunt small game over the rough and difficult terrain of the Vendeen region. To function efficiently, he must be equipped with certain characteristics. He is bold and vivacious in character; compact, tough and robust in construction. He has an alert outlook, lively bearing and a good voice freely used. The most distinguishing characteristics of this bold hunter are his rough, unrefined outline; his proudly carried head, displaying definitive long eyebrows, beard, and moustache; his strong, tapered tail carried like a sabre, alert and in readiness.
Owning
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 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 Vendeen has a good voice which he uses freely. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a happy extroverted dog who is independent, but willing to please.
Temperament
Happy, extroverted, independent, yet willing to please.
Did You Know
The breed can be traced to the sixteenth century and to the Griffon Vendeen, 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 Vendeen - the area of France in which he originated. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Club of America was founded at the AKC Centennial Show in 1984. The breed was admitted to AKC registration effective December 1, 1990. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen was the 131st AKC recognized breed. In the United States the breed is referred to as ''Petits,'' in England as ''Griffs'' or ''Roughies,'' and in Denmark as ''Griffs'' or ''Petits.''