The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is a breed of dog of French origin that is characterized by being a hare and fox hunter. It is a medium sized dog with a harsh, rough coat and a great personality.
General details
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is a medium to large sized dog, with a height between 39 and 44 cm and a weight ranging between 18 and 20 kg. Its average life expectancy is around 12 years. It belongs to group 6 of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which includes hounds and tracking dogs.
Breed history in brief
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is a breed of dog of French origin, specifically from the Vendée region. It is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages from crosses between several French hounds, but its standardization as a breed did not occur until the 20th century. It was originally used for hunting deer and wild boar, but over time it also became a companion and show dog. Today, its popularity as a companion animal continues to grow worldwide, although it remains a more common breed in France.
Breed characteristics
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is a breed of dog noted for its large, elongated head. Its eyes are large, dark and expressive. The ears are long, drooping and covered with hair. Its tail is long and carried jauntily, usually curved in a sabre shape.
Its coat is rough and harsh to the touch, with a soft, dense undercoat that protects it from the cold and damp during hunting. The characteristic colors are black and white with tan markings, although there may also be white and orange varieties.
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is known to be a courageous, energetic and tenacious dog. They are very active and curious dogs, always ready to explore and follow tracks. They are independent and have a strong hunting instinct, which can make them persevering and stubborn. Despite this, they are friendly, affectionate and loyal to their owners.
Common health problems
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen can present several hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia, von Willebrand's disease, osteochondritis dissecans, progressive retinal atrophy and epilepsy.
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