Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
A shaggy French hound built low, bred loud, and happiest on a scent.
Vital stats
| Size | Medium · 39–44 cm |
| Weight | 18–20 kg |
| Life expectancy | 13–15 years |
| Energy | Moderate-high — 60+ min/day |
| Shedding | Low-moderate |
| Coat | Rough, tousled coat · white with lemon, orange, grizzle |
| Group | Hound · FCI №33 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Centuries of pack-hunting hare and boar through the brambly Vendée bred a hound that is tough, tuneful and profoundly sociable — a GBGV genuinely likes everyone, dogs included. It also bred independence: this hound was designed to follow a scent for hours without asking permission, and at home it sees no reason to start now.
Habits & quirks
Nose-first navigation
Every walk is conducted at ground level, one glorious scent trail at a time — schedules are your problem.
The pack singalong
This is a vocal hound with a proper baying voice, deployed for arrivals, squirrels and general commentary.
Tousled by design
That casually rumpled look is the breed standard — a groomed GBGV should still look happily windswept.
More dog, please
Bred to live in packs, a GBGV is happiest with canine company and greets other dogs like long-lost colleagues.
Care
| Exercise | An hour or more of daily exercise, ideally with sanctioned sniffing time — scent walks tire this hound better than sprints. |
| Containment | A determined scent-follower and capable digger: fences must be high, deep and honestly maintained. |
| Training | Cheerfully stubborn — use food, keep sessions short, and treat off-lead recall as a lifelong project rather than an achievement. |
| Grooming | Brush the rough coat weekly to prevent matting, and check and clean those long, low-slung ears regularly. |
Common questions
Is a Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen a good family dog?
Delightful — merry, affectionate and typically excellent with children and other dogs. Just pair that sociability with realistic expectations about noise, stubbornness and garden security.
How is the Grand different from the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?
The Grand is the larger, longer original, bred for bigger game and longer hunts; the Petit was developed from it for smaller quarry. Beyond size, the Grand tends to be a touch calmer and even more independent.
Do GBGVs bark a lot?
They're proper vocal hounds with a loud, melodious bay they use freely. Training can reduce commentary but won't remove it — close-packed housing with sound-sensitive neighbours is a poor match.