What Happened to the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen Dog?

What Happened to the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen Dog?

What happened to the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen? Many of you have heard of the Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen, or the “PBGV”. The PBGV is still in existence and in good health. But, before the PBGV there was the GBGV – Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen. The PBGV, derived from the GBGV. The American Kennel Club states this in their stud book located in the hound group. But, if you look for the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen, it is nowhere to be found in the AKC book.

Each breed must show sustainable healthy growth in order for a breed to make it in the AKC stud book. Unfortunately, the GBGV did not qualify. It was put in the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service category in 2004. The GBGV is rare to come by. Furthermore, it is challenging for surveys to be thoroughly completed on the breed since there are not many dogs to gather information from.

AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS)

The AKC created the Foundation Stock Service to help purebred breeds further develop and strive. Once a breed is submitted into the AKC FSS, owners can submit their dog’s pedigree to the AKC. Pedigree shows the lineage and genealogical descent to prove their dog is a purebred. The FSS allows owners to continue improvement of their breed and maintain accurate records with the AKC. After gathering an abundant amount of records on the FSS breed, examination will take place. Registration with the AKC and stud book will be confirmed only if the breed shows quality of health and growth.

Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen Origins & Appearance

The GBGV originated in Vendee, France from the French Griffon Vendeen. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen translates to large (Grand), low (Basset), rough-coated (Griffon), from the area of Vendee, France (Vendeen). This breed makes for a great hunting partner because of their scent-hound qualities. They’re surprisingly fast, courageous, and obedient, but can be stubborn. They require a good amount of exercise to exude energy. But they make excellent pets for active families.

Its appearance is similar to the Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen, given the PBGV derived from the same Griffon Vendeen, but they are larger in size. The GBGV has a longer muzzle, ears, body, and tail. The Grand is more laid back than the Petite, but they have similar coats that require stripping, along with coloring, facial hair, and stance. Stripping is a grooming technique in which dead hair is pulled out of a non-shedding dog’s coat. Stripping allows for the dog’s new coat to grow in properly.

Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen Breeding Issues

Breeding the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen involved the the French Griffon Vendeen along with 3 other dog breeds. These include the Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen, the Grand Griffon Vendeen, and the Briquet Griffon Vendeen. It is believed this breed was not able to fully develop due to these other breeds with similar bloodlines. Great interest wasn’t invested in the GBGV, which didn’t allow for pure breeding to continue and develop the breed.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen

Entering Your Breed into the Foundation Stock Service Program

Several breeds are listed in the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service Program. Many will look unfamiliar as most are rare and unregistered with the American Kennel Club. Entering new breeds into the FSS is not all that involved. Simply submit the paper work. The AKC receives written requests provided along with photographs and breed history. Consideration from the AKC will not be tolerated for breeds that are not purebreeds or a variation of a breed that is already registered. View/enter your dog breed into the AKC FSS by following these guidelines AKC Dog Breed Registration.

John Mattar
August 23rd, 2011
Updated July 31, 2019

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