Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen & Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen

PBGV & GBGV BREED INFORMATION

Before you decide to bring a PBGV/GBGV puppy into your home, we want you to be as prepared and informed as possible.  You should research, ask questions, and be determined to learn as much as possible about the breed.  PBGVs and GBGVs are definitely not breeds for everyone.  Be willing to talk honestly with whichever breeder you choose to work with and think carefully about which breed of dog will work best in your home. 

We have dedicated ourselves to producing happy, healthy puppies and we want to set you and the puppy up for future success. If we choose to sell a puppy to you, we will be giving you something that is a part of our family and something that is VERY special to us.  We will ask you a lot of questions and some of them might feel intrusive, but I do not believe you should buy a puppy from someone that isn’t extremely concerned with where their puppies are going to live!  Please answer the questions honestly and thoughtfully.  There really aren’t “right” answers, but your answers will help us determine which puppy will fit in best with your lifestyle. 

Please note, we will match the puppies to their new homes.  We will work with you as much as possible, but long-term placement is our priority.  We will certainly take into account your preferences and desire for male/female, but our goal is to match the puppy’s personality and activity level with its new home.  Some reasons we will pick your puppy for you:


  • The entire litter will be evaluated for show potential at 8 weeks of age.  We will choose to keep the puppy we believe most exemplifies the conformation and temperament we were attempting to achieve with this breeding. Other show potential puppies will be placed with show homes if there are any on the waiting list that are a good fit for that home. Puppies not chosen to go to show homes will still be happy and healthy, and many will be show quality, but they may have a physical trait that is not quite as ideal when compared to a sibling.  Also, we might have show homes that are looking for a male but we have all females in the litter, etc.  The litter is evaluated before we make the decision of which puppy to keep. If you are willing to let us show the puppy (especially if you live in Texas), let us know…we are always looking to place show puppies so we can finish their championships – that’s how we got involved in all of this ourselves!
  • Personality traits can be seen in puppies very early in their development. Some puppies tend to be very independent or dependent from the day they are born.  Some puppies are obviously more vocal; some are more assertive; some are more submissive, etc. Depending on your home situation, we have a very good success rate of making sure the right puppy goes home to your family.  If you work 8 hours away from the house each day, we won’t match you with a dependent/needy puppy.  If you have a bossy 2 year old female dog already at home, we will not give you a girl who has exhibited alpha-bitch tendencies.  If you have an elderly dog who needs peace and quiet, we will look for the laid back puppy.  If we don’t feel we have a puppy that’s right for you, we’ll help you find one from another breeder.
  • Many times, people want to pick their puppy based on color or markings.  These puppies are chameleons.  Most are born with black markings that turn to brown, sable, gray or cream over the first year or two.  Markings can blend together or disappear as the white hair grows longer.  Puppies born orange and white tend to stay that color...the others can change a lot by the time they are a year old.


In our experience, while there are definite physical differences between the two breeds, the personality differences are much more obvious!


PBGVs and GBGVs are not usually the most obedient dogs and can be very mischievous.  It is part of their charm, but isn’t for everyone.  PBGVs will self-entertain (which can be a good thing and a very bad thing).  GBGVs in general are more laid back, but can still give you a run for your money!  Are you prepared to PBGV/GBGV-proof your house?  This could include keeping shoes put away, making sure the remote control is not within reach, sometimes requires baby latches on cupboard doors and can mean moving furniture so the dog cannot climb to get on kitchen counters, etc (more of a PBGV thing - and yes, this has happened to us).  GBGVs in our experience are not quite as mischievous but are thieves.  They seem to delight in stealing things and hiding them (including wallets, keys and remote controls - also something that has happened to us).  If you desire a highly trainable dog who will be obedient on command, these may not be the breeds for you.  PBGVs and GBGVs are highly intelligent problem-solvers who sometimes interpret your attempts to keep them from getting into things as a delightful puzzle to solve! 

Are you willing to live with a dog that may be able to out think you?

Are you willing to always walk your dog on a leash in an un-fenced area (understanding that ‘come’ will never work on a scent hound that has caught wind of something more interesting than you)?

Also of important note:  PBGVs can be vocal.  They ARE NOT yappers that bark simply to hear themselves speak.  They usually have a reason for barking or howling, but they can talk to the squirrels in the trees or the dog that lives next door for quite some time before tiring.  GBGVs tend to be quieter but do have a very “houndie” bay when they do decide to bark.


PBGVs: Our PBGVs tend to be busy, vocal, happy and curious.  They are not the best at obedience as the breed was bred over centuries to independently determine the best way to solve a problem.  In their breed history, the problem they were solving was how to get the bunny to run toward the hunter.  In our homes and city environments, in the absence of their need to live out their instinctive role, they will find other problems to solve.  You will be amazed at what they are capable of doing and how complex the problems they can solve.  They are tremendously entertaining, usually great with children and other dogs, and usually can be kept with most any pets that they are raised with including rodents, birds and cats.  PBGVs can tend to have a Napolean Complex believing they are bigger than they are and can occasionally challenge other dogs in the house for the dominant position.  Our 25 lb young female Maddie tries to stare down our 55 lb GBGV female Soda all the time.  She wants to make sure she is not low man on the totem pole for pack position.  Living with a PBGV is like living with a naughty 3 year old - they can get into everything but also charm you with their zest and joy for life.  There is something inherently adorable about the little devil that lives inside them.  PBGVs (in general) leap before they look.


GBGVs:  Our GBGVs tend to be more driven to accomplish a task and a bit more difficult to distract when they are focused.  Our GBGVs will not come in to eat if they can see a squirrel...our PBGVs tend to be a bit more food motivated, so it can be more difficult to train your GBGV.  However, our GBGVs are quieter, more observant and more mellow.  Our girls tend to put themselves to bed at night and sleep soundly until morning.  Our GBGVs definitely don't have as much to say to the world.  If our dogs escape, which happens from time to time, we can always catch our GBGVs first.  They are sweet and loving, not as busy as PBGVs and like to be held in spite of the fact that they are a bit too large to be called lap dogs.  They are very devoted but can be a bit hesitant in new situations and with new people.  GBGVs can tend to be resource guarders and definitely need an owner that they respect.  It's important to remember with GBGVs (especially the boys) that they will test you for authority when they reach their pre-teens and teens (sometime between 7 months to a year of age).  Be careful what you allow them to do as adorable fluffy puppies because those habits can be difficult to break with a 60 lb dog that isn't used to being told no.  They are thinkers and seem to evaluate potential outcomes and consequences for actions rather than PBGVs who leap before they look (in general).   


Read more about the breeds on the parent club websites:


Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Club of America:  www.pbgv.org


Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen Club of America:  www.gbgv.net