Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens typically stop growing when they are 12 to 14 months old. However, they may continue to fill out and gain muscle mass until they are about 18 to 24 months old. Their growth rate can vary slightly based on individual genetics and overall health. Proper nutrition and exercise during their growth period are important to ensure they develop well and maintain a healthy weight.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is usually white with orange, lemon, black, or gray spots, and sometimes tricolor. These colors can appear as solid patches or mixed patterns, and the breed’s rough, wiry coat helps to highlight these distinctive color combinations.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are medium-sized dogs, most weighing between 25 and 40 pounds and standing around 13 to 15 inches tall.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are light to moderate shedders and don’t need much grooming. Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens have a rough, wiry coat that sheds relatively little compared to some other breeds. Weekly brushing helps remove loose hairs, prevent matting, and reduce shedding around the home. Their coat is designed to be low-maintenance but still needs attention to keep it in good condition. The comb should run smoothly through the coat after you’ve brushed it.

Yes, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are generally good with kids. They are friendly and playful, making them great companions for children. Their lively and energetic personality often meshes well with a family environment. A happy-go-lucky, energetic, joyful breed, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is wonderful with children. They are both a playmate and a protector. Early socialization and positive experiences with kids can help reinforce their good behavior around them. 

As with any breed, it is recommended that your child is always supervised when interacting with your Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen to keep both the child and dog safe. Teaching children how to properly approach and handle dogs is crucial to ensure positive experiences for both the dog and the child, as is teaching dogs how to interact gently with children.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens can get along well with cats, especially if they are introduced properly and early in their lives. They have a strong prey drive due to their hunting background, so it’s important to monitor their interactions with cats to ensure that the cat feels safe and the PBGV does not become overly excited or chase.

With appropriate socialization and positive reinforcement, many PBGVs can learn to coexist peacefully with cats. Supervised introductions and gradual acclimatization to the cat’s presence will help in fostering a good relationship between them.

Yes, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are usually good with other dogs. They are social and typically enjoy the company of their canine companions. Their friendly and playful nature makes them good playmates, and they usually get along well in multi-dog households.

However, as with any breed, early socialization is important to ensure they develop positive relationships with other dogs. Their strong prey drive, inherited from their hunting background, can sometimes lead to high-energy play or excitement, so it’s a good idea to monitor their interactions and provide appropriate guidance.

Yes, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are known for their friendly and outgoing nature. They are generally affectionate, sociable, and good-natured, making them excellent companions. Their lively and playful personality often makes them approachable and engaging with both family members and visitors.

Their friendly disposition extends to interactions with children and other pets, provided they have been properly socialized and introduced. Their cheerful and affectionate behavior contributes to their reputation as great family dogs and delightful companions.

Named for the Vendée region of France, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen was developed in the 16th century and is known for its hunting skills, particularly for tracking small game like rabbits and hares. The “Petit” in their name means “small,” distinguishing them from their larger relatives, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeens. The PBGV’s appearance includes a distinctive rough coat, long ears, and a lively, energetic personality.

There is essentially one type of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (PBGV), although there can be some variation in coat color and markings. The breed is recognized for its distinctive rough, wiry coat, long ears, and lively personality. Within the breed, there are some variations in coat colors, including white with orange markings, white with black markings, white with sable markings, and tri-color.

These color variations do not constitute different types but rather reflect the breed’s range of acceptable colors and patterns. The breed is consistent in its overall appearance and characteristics, regardless of color.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is commonly referred to as the “PBGV” or simply the “Petit Basset.” The name “Griffon Vendeen” reflects the breed’s origins in the Vendeen region of France, while “Petit” indicates its smaller size compared to its larger relative, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen.

A healthy Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen will live to be between 14 and 16 years old. However, individual lifespans can vary based on factors such as genetics, diet, exercise, healthcare, and overall lifestyle. Providing proper care, regular veterinary check-ups, a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight can contribute to helping dogs of all breeds live long and healthy lives.

The pronunciation of “Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen” is:

• Petit: /puh-TEE/ (with a soft “t” and emphasis on the second syllable)

• Basset: /bah-SAY/ (with emphasis on the second syllable)

• Griffon: /GREE-fawn/ (with emphasis on the first syllable)

• Vendeen: /vahn-day-EN/ (with emphasis on the last syllable and the “e” pronounced like the “ay” in “day”)

Putting it all together: puh-TEE bah-SAY GREE-fawn vahn-day-EN.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are known to bark quite a lot. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is extremely fond of the uniquely sonorous sound of their own voice, often gleefully joining in on human conversations. They have a tendency to bark, which is a trait inherited from their hunting background. They often bark to alert their pet parents to activity, express excitement, or communicate with other dogs. This breed’s vocal nature means they can be more prone to barking compared to some other breeds, especially if they are bored or not getting enough exercise.

Regular training and mental stimulation can help manage excessive barking, and providing them with sufficient activity can reduce their need to vocalize out of boredom.

Yes, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are excellent family dogs. They are known for their friendly, affectionate, and playful nature, which makes them great companions for families. Their lively and energetic demeanor often suits active households and children, and they typically enjoy being involved in family activities.

PBGVs are also adaptable and can thrive in various living environments as long as they receive regular exercise and mental stimulation. Their sociable temperament and desire for companionship help them integrate well into family life, making them a popular choice for families looking for an engaging and loving pet. This is a lively, active dog who will need to expend a good amount of energy every day to be healthy and happy.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens can be a bit challenging to train compared to some other breeds. They are intelligent and eager to please, but they also have a strong independent streak and can be somewhat stubborn. Their hunting background contributes to their high energy levels and curiosity, which can sometimes make them easily distracted.

To effectively train a PBGV, it’s important to use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats, praise, and play. Consistency, patience, and engaging training sessions will help in managing their occasional stubbornness. Socialization and early training are key to developing good behavior and ensuring they respond well to commands. Also keep in mind that training any dog takes substantial time and effort, regardless of breed.

Yes, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are quite smart. They are intelligent and quick learners, traits that are beneficial for both hunting and companionship. Their problem-solving abilities and curiosity reflect their cleverness.

However, their independent nature and strong prey drive can sometimes make them a bit challenging to train. They may choose to follow their instincts over commands if not properly motivated. Consistent, positive reinforcement training is essential to harnessing their intelligence effectively and ensuring they use their smarts in constructive ways.

Compared with other breeds of similar size, the average lifespan of the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is rather high.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are generally healthy but may be susceptible to the following: 

• Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from adequately meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Though the main complication with hip dysplasia is joint instability, the abnormalities present in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. If you are rescuing a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have or are prone to getting dysplasia so you know what they will be able to handle regarding activities and exercise.

• Patellar luxation: Also known as slipped kneecaps, patellar luxation is a common problem in many dog breeds. It occurs when slight abnormalities cause the knee joint to slide in and out of place. This can cause pain and occasional lameness. Surgical treatment is available for severe cases although many dogs lead normal lives without treatment.

• Eye Issues: This breed may be prone to lens luxation, a dislocation of the eye that occurs when the support ligaments of the lens (a sphere-shaped area of the eye that focuses light on the retina) weaken or break. The weakening of the ligaments causes the lens to dislocate from its normal position. Depending on the direction the lens falls, it can prevent proper drainage of fluid from the eye and lead to glaucoma. The condition is also very painful and can cause blindness if the luxation is not surgically fixed. Glaucoma, a condition that causes excessive pressure on the eye, damages the optic nerve and eventually leads to vision loss and blindness; and persistent pupillary membranes, where remnant strands of fetal tissue cross over the iris, are also issues that can affect the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

• Others: Hypothyroidism, a thyroid malfunction that results in low hormone production and could cause obesity, low energy and a brittle coat; ear infections; epilepsy; allergies; otitis externa, an inflammation of the ear canal; and inguinal and umbilical hernias, defects of the abdominal muscles that can cause internal organs to become trapped and swell under the skin of the belly or groin. 

To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend hip, eye, and ear tests for your dog.