History

The Griffon Vendeen family of hounds originate in the Vendee Region of France. The Grand Basset is used to hunt hares and occasionally small deer. The Griffon Vendeen family can be traced back to sixteenth century France, it is one of four rough-coated French breeds, and the only one to come in four distinct sizes. The Grand Griffon Vendeen; the Briquet Griffon Vendeen; the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. As yet only the two Basset sizes are known in the UK. Originally there was only one size of Basset who nowadays would look like a mixture between the PBGV and the GBGV. It was the Comte Christian d'Elva who attempted to improve the soundness of these hounds. His hounds were taller and straight legged and the forerunners of today's GBGV's.

In the next century the breed made enormous strides under the Desamy family where the nature and type of the varieties ‘Grand’ and ‘Petit’ were firmly defined and established. Until the last decade the name ‘Desamy’ was virtually synonymous with BGV’s in France.

The kennels of the late Yves Audouy (du Roc de Deymier), Renaud Buche (du Hamel de la Renaudie) and Jolanda Huisman (du Greffier du Roi) have provided foundation stock for the British Grands. By the end of 1997, a total of 200 Grands had been registered with the Kennel Club.

Breed Characteristics

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is a loyal intelligent hound with wonderful scenting ability and an in-bred desire to hunt. He has a noble head, with a slightly Roman nose; his ears and muzzle being longer than that of his cousin, the Petit. The desirable proportions of height at the shoulder to length of body should be 1 to 1.4. His legs are totally straight. His tail should be carried like a sabre. His coat should be straight, harsh and weather proof.

The happy, outgoing nature of these hounds that are always willing to please and never aggressive, have earned them the nickname of 'The Happy Breed'. However, this is a hound and it needs space, patience and a secure garden. The Grand is not a breed for the faint hearted, or the sit at home.

Owning a GBGV

The GBGV's make wonderful family pets; but you must never forget that they have a mind of their own, and when out in the woods, with the scent of game in their nostrils the urge to chase may take over their wish to be with you. They do return, when they are ready, and not necessarily when you call

They are intelligent and train easily but that instinct to hunt is always present and may override anything they have learnt once they are on a scent.

He mixes well with dogs of other breeds and is loyal to the family. They must learn their place in the family pecking order from the start ~ otherwise they will rule the house.

 In general the breed is long-lived and healthy. They take three to four years to mature, going through a wild and loving youth before settling down into a more aristocratic companion who is always on the look out for a bit of fun.