12 Feb Interesting Facts about the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Breed

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (PBGV) is a small footprint of hounds that has won the hearts of millions. Although on the surface this dog breed is designed for beauty, in reality, PBGVs are hardy hunters bred for a specific purpose: hunting small animals in the rugged terrain of the Vendée region of France. This breed is known for his happy and loving personality. If you love this pretty puppy or like to know more about him, stay tuned to the end of this article.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen breed vital statistics

• Breed classification: hounds
• Weight in males: (14-18) kg, weight in females: (14-18) kg.
• Height in males: (38-38) cm, height in females: (38-38) cm.
• Lifespan: 14 years

Highlights of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen breed

• PBGVs are attractive and have strong heads. They are stable and it’s necessary to be patient to train them. 
• PBGVs are stubborn and domesticate very hard. It’s recommended to use the training box for them.
• This breed likes to bark. Don’t be surprised.
• Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are energetic and hardy. They need daily activity. This breed enjoys long walks, but they must be on a leash; because you never know when their hunting instincts will make them hunt and chase other animals or things.
• PBGVs are very good at escaping.
• Olfactory! Like all hounds, PBGVs are drawn to the scent.

The character of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen breed

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is known as a happy breed. This breed enjoys life and being with people. He is enthusiastic and kind and has a good nature. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is also an active breed. Unlike some other dogs in this category (for example Basset Hounds, which are short-legged hounds), the PBGV is a busy dog, he needs an active owner to keep him busy. PBGVs may be very staring, but they are charming enough to make you laugh rather than blame them. If you want to train him well, you need a lot of patience.

PBGVs make good guard dogs because they love to bark. It’s wise to use a friendly, calm and commanding manner to train them. The petit basset griffons Vendeens are very curious and have a special art of escaping. If they can do this, they have either jumped over fences or dug into the ground. A high fence is recommended for them, plus check the fence regularly to make sure they haven’t been able to escape by tunnelling.

Problems and health

PBGVs are generally healthy dogs; But like all breeds, they are prone to some diseases. Not all PBGVs may get all of these diseases, but if you are caring for them it’s important to be aware of them.

PBGV pain syndrome

This disease is a very difficult condition that affects dogs between 6 and 18 months old. Symptoms include convulsions with pain, fever, or lethargy. The intensity of pain in different dogs varies, some are moderate and some are very severe. Some dogs only have one part of their body involved in this disease, but many affected dogs suffer from pain in several parts of their body. One of the several types is the type that affects the cervical region of the neck, which is officially called steroid reaction meningitis. Most affected dogs outgrow the problem, but some suffer permanent complications.

Epilepsy

It’s a disease that causes the dog to be confused and experience has shown that the animal has seizures without any clear reason. Some dogs may have one or more seizures in their lifetime, while others have regular seizures. This condition can usually be controlled with medication.

Glaucoma and lens dislocation

This disease is a newly recognized eye problem in PBGV dogs. In glaucoma, the internal pressure of the eyeball increases and with the damage it causes to the optic nerve, it eventually causes blindness. In lens dislocation, the lens is out of its natural position, which may cause blindness. Both eyes are usually affected. This condition usually occurs at the age of 5 years, which generally happens together.

Allergy

In Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens, allergies primarily show themselves with chronic ear inflammation, red feet or armpits. In addition to these non-specific allergies, they may also suffer from food allergies, flea bite allergies, hay fever, and reactions to vaccines. Most allergies only cause itching, but in some cases, dogs can suffer from a lot of discomforts. You should take special care of them for a few hours after vaccination.

Umbilical and inguinal hernia

This disease is a defect in the abdominal muscles that causes internal organs to protrude in the form of a bubble under the skin of the abdomen (umbilical hernia) and groin (inguinal hernia). This condition sometimes gets fixed as the puppy grows, but sometimes surgery may be needed.

Patella dislocation and hip dysplasia

Patella dislocation (kneecap) and hip dysplasia occur due to the abnormal growth of the knee and hip joint, respectively. In PBGVs, patellar dislocation is more common than hip dysplasia. In both cases, it can cause lameness and arthritis in old age. X-rays may be needed to evaluate the condition. Its treatment is often nutritional supplements and in some cases surgery.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a disease in the thyroid gland in which thyroid hormone isn’t produced enough. The symptoms of this disease include obesity, lethargy, poor quality of body covering, dryness and flaking of the skin, intolerance to colds, and some people think aggression and irritability. Middle-aged and older dogs seem to be most affected, but symptoms can appear at any age. 

Resistant Pupil Membrane (PPM) and Multi Retinal Dysplasia

This disease is a congenital defect in the eye. Fortunately, this disease usually doesn’t affect the dog’s vision.

Caring for the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen breed

Because of their small size and love of being around people, they make good apartment residents as long as you commit to meeting their exercise needs. They are generally active dogs indoors, so it’s best to have plenty of sturdy toys available. While they do well in most climates, they prefer cool temperatures. This breed has a strong sense of smell and hunting instinct, so you shouldn’t let them go without a collar. A safe, fenced yard is the best place for them.

Nutrition

It’s better to give your dog 1.5 to 2 cups of dry dog food per meal and two meals per day. The amount of food for each dog is different and depends on his age, breed, height, weight and activity level. Instead of consuming several meals of high-volume and low-quality food for the dog, provide him with two or three meals of quality and nutritious food. Dogs need food that is rich in vitamins, proteins, minerals and carbohydrates. So, you must consider food supplements and a suitable diet for him. 

Due to the high activity and playfulness of this breed, you should prepare high-quality foods that have the most vitamins for dogs and the necessary substances for their bodies. This point is especially important in lactating, pregnant dogs and puppies; Because they need a lot of food compared to other dogs, which must be provided by consuming nutritious and complete food. It should be noted that in consuming the daily food of the dog, you should prevent him from overeating and consuming too much food. Because being overweight and obese is one of the most important factors in reducing life expectancy in dogs.

Grooming

• The coat of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is rough, medium-sized and hard, while the undercoat is thick, soft and short. 
• He has long eyebrows that are drawn outwards so they don’t bother the eye. 
• This breed also has long hair around the mouth, which forms a beard and moustache. 
• The tail has few hairs. In general, PBGV sometimes has a chaotic appearance.
• Cleaning them is easy. They need to be brushed at least once a week to remove dead and shed hair.
• Bathe them only when needed. Trim nails regularly. Check the ears for cleanliness.

The compatibility with children and other pets

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens love children. He enjoys the noise and any activity related to children. Adults should supervise interactions between children and dogs, especially dogs of this breed who are waiting for an opportunity to escape. They get along well with other pets that have been trained and socialized. He especially enjoys the company of other dogs. This breed is a hunter by nature.

Keeping place

This breed is suitable for keeping in an apartment, but he must have enough physical activity during the day. He’s very calm inside the house and you can easily keep this dog at home. A small yard or terrace of your apartment is enough for him to live and do his daily physical activities.

To wrap up

Dogs are intelligent, lively animals and come in many different forms. There are different breeds, some of which have been noted for their appearance and beauty, and some of them became famous as guard dogs and some of them for being hunting dogs. To have a healthy and lively dog, you need to pay attention to nutrition, activity, fitness, grooming, etc. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. In all these steps, you can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming. Our experienced and precise groomers have carefully and accurately groomed your dogs, so they count the moments before the next session.