The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, or PBGV, is one of the many small
varieties of French hound. His origins can be traced to the 16th century
and to the Griffon Vendéen, a larger, more powerful ancestor. His
name in French reveals much about him:

Petit - small
Basset - low to the ground
Griffon - rough or wire coat
Vendéen - from the Vendée region of France.

This small hunting dog has an intriguing and charming appearance
and personality. However, it is important to remember that the PBGV
is, first and foremost, a hound developed to hunt game by scent.
Furthermore, his physical evolution is directly related to the
environment and terrain on the western coast of France, the Vendée,
characterised by thick undergrowth, rocks, thorns and brambles. This
difficult terrain demanded a hardy, alert, bold, determined, intelligent
hunter with both mental and physical stamina.

Most French hound breeds came in different sizes and were used for
different prey. They could be either full size, briquet, or basset. For
example:

the Grand Griffon Vendéen
the Briquet Griffon Vendéen
the Basset Griffon Vendéen

The Basset Griffon Vendéen could be further sub-divided into:
Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen

To this day, PBGVs are used to hunt small game, especially rabbit and
hare, in France, other European countries and North America.

An attempt to standardise the breed type was not undertaken seriously
until the latter half of the 19th century. Before 1898, when the first
official standard of the Basset Griffon Français was adopted, judges at
the great French "expositions" made their decisions without the benefit
of this guidance on breed type.

The development of Griffon Vendéen hounds in France is in every way
linked to the Dézamy family from La Chaize-le-Vicomte. With the
formation, in 1907, of the Club du Griffon Vendéen, Paul Dézamy
became its first President. In 1909, a standard for the Basset Griffon
Vendéen recognised two types of BGV, the variation in height and the
significant difference in crook of front leg. The Grand had straight front
legs, the Petit sometimes had a semi-crook.

In the 1950s new standards were published and the PBGV was given
an official standard of its own and considered a separate breed.
However, with the earlier practice of interbreeding the Petit and Grand,
it was common at that time for offspring from the same litter to be of
both Petit and Grand type. Paul Dézamy became noted for his 42cm
Grands, referred to as "42 Dézamys".

In 1977, his grandson, Hubert Desamy, banned interbreeding but for
many subsequent generations the results of this practice manifested
themselves. For this reason, to this day heavy emphasis is placed on
type and size as breeders strive for the ideal.

The arrival of the PBGV in England in 1969 was followed in 1978 by
formation of a UK BGV club. The name was carefully chosen to allow
for the later establishment of the GBGV under the same umbrella.

General Appearance
The PBGV is an active hound, bold and vivacious in character,
compact, tough and robust in construction. He has an alert outlook,
lively bearing and a good voice freely used. The head, which is so
often held and carried proudly, can be dropped with ease for scenting
and following a trail.

This silhouette drawing compares the size of the PBGV to that of a 6
foot man. Both are drawn to scale.












He is well-balanced with a rough, unrefined outline. He weighs
approximately 32-42lbs. Height is 33-38cms (13-15") and, measured
from sternum to buttocks, he is approximately 50% longer than tall.
It is a popular misconception that the PBGV is a shaggy Basset Hound.
The two breed names share the word "Basset" but they have few real
traits in common. The PBGV is a far lighter, smaller boned and bodied,
more active and vocal and less laid back than his more familiar Basset
Hound cousin.