Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

What They Are Like to Live With

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. Photography by Kayla Bertagnolli, as captured at the 2018 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Around the house, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens spread happiness and fun. Constantly exploring and looking for people to play with, they are impossible to ignore. You’re never really alone when a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is in the house. They love attention and affection, but they also appreciate having their own space in the house, not to mention chewy toys to play with. Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are intelligent and easy to train, but they sometimes have a mind of their own.

Things You Should Know

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. Photography by Kayla Bertagnolli, as captured at the 2018 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens can live as long as 15 years with relatively few genetic health issues. They should be brushed weekly to keep shedding and matting to a minimum. And don’t forget to peek under those long ears occasionally for signs of infection.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen will be perfectly happy living in an apartment. Just make sure it gets plenty of exercise every day. If you let it run around in the back yard unsupervised, be warned: The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen likes to dig.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen History

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. Photography by Kayla Bertagnolli, as captured at the 2018 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Dating back to 16th-century France, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen was bred to hunt game across the rough and rocky terrain of western France. Many details of this breed are covered in its name: Petit (small), Basset (low to the ground), Griffon (rough-coated) and Vendeen (the French region where it originated).