Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen puppies

About the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen was developed on the Atlantic coast of France to hunt hare through dense brambles, which is why they are built low and strong under a harsh, tousled coat that shrugs off thorns. Adults weigh about 11.3 to 18.1 kg and stand 33 to 38 cm at the shoulder, and the breed is unusually long lived at 14 to 16 years. The character is cheerful, busy and sociable, a pack hound that generally gets on well with other dogs.

A PBGV needs plenty of exercise and even more scenting outlets, and they should stay on lead or inside a secure fence, because a fresh trail will beat any recall. The rough coat wants a thorough brush and comb weekly, with trimming kept to a minimum. This is a loud breed that bays and answers back. They are usually sound with children given supervision and socialisation. Owners most often underestimate the stubbornness and the noise.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. This is a high energy breed. At eight weeks that shows up as intensity rather than stamina, and they will need a job to do long before they need long walks. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for
• Patellar luxation, diagnosed by physical examination of the stifle
• Eye disorders, found by an ophthalmologist evaluation of breeding stock
• Cardiac anomalies, picked up by a cardiac examination with imaging where needed
• Neck pain syndrome, investigated by veterinary examination and spinal imaging

Your Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 11.3 to 18.1 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 30 inch (30 x 20 x 23 in, 76 x 51 x 58 cm) for an adult of up to 18.1 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other medium breeds

More on the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen

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Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/petit-basset-griffon-vendeen/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Nathan150, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.