The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen — PBGV for short — is a small, scruffy French scenthound bred to hunt rabbit over the rough, brambly terrain of the Vendée on France's west coast. The name decodes the dog: Petit (small), Basset (low), Griffon (rough-coated), Vendéen (from the Vendée). It stands 13-15 inches and weighs roughly 25-40 pounds, with short strong legs, a long sturdy back, a harsh tousled double coat, a proudly carried head, a saber tail, and a loud, carrying hound voice. Beneath the comic 'happy hobo' looks is a tough, weatherproof working pack hound. The decision hinges on what 'pack scenthound' actually means day to day. The PBGV is famously merry, extroverted, and sociable with people and other dogs — but it is also independent, nose-driven, persistent, and very vocal. It was bred to put its head down and follow a scent for hours regardless of what a handler wants, so off-leash recall is unreliable and a bored PBGV will bay, dig, and counter-surf with cheerful determination. Who the PBGV is right for: an active, good-humored household that wants a sturdy, durable, dog-social companion for walks, scent work, hiking, or family life, and that has a secure fence and tolerance for barking and busyness. Who it is wrong for: anyone wanting a quiet, off-leash, low-energy lap dog, anyone in a noise-restricted apartment, or an owner expecting fast formal obedience. The breed is moderately rare in North America, so plan on a waitlist. Choose the PBGV for its honest, energetic, vocal hound character — not for the disarming face.
Life Span
12–14 years
Weight
11–18 kg
Height
34–38 cm
moderate
Exercise
moderate
Grooming
moderate
Shedding
Yes
Good with Kids
Yes
Good with Pets
Friendly
Apartment
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen comes from the Vendée region of western France, where the terrain is thorny, rocky, and dense. Hunters there needed a small, low, rough-coated pack hound tough enough to push through brambles and stamina-rich enough to trail rabbit and small game all day, with a loud voice so the pack could be followed by ear. The PBGV and its larger relative the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen descend from the older Griffon Vendéen …
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen dog breed portrait
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen belongs to the Hound Group.
The average lifespan of a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is 12 to 14 years.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen dogs are valued for their alert, happy, vivacious nature.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Detailed cost data for Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is not yet available. Check back soon!
Exercise: 60 minutes a day minimum, ideally split into a brisk walk plus an off-leash run in a fully fenced space or a long-line scent session. The PBGV is a stamina hound, not a couch dog; under-exercised individuals bay, dig, and become destructive. Scent games and nose work are excellent supplements because they engage the breed's core drive. Containment and leash policy: walk on leash by default and require a secure 5-6 foot fence with dig protection. A PBGV on a scent will follow it through a hedge and ignore you completely — invisible fences do not contain a committed nose hound. Grooming: the harsh double coat needs a thorough 15-20 minute brush 1-2 times a week to prevent mats, plus periodic hand-stripping or tidying to keep the texture (clipping softens the weatherproof coat). It is a moderate, not heavy, shedder. Check and dry the long pendant ears weekly — drop ears plus active outdoor work means real ear-infection risk. Trim nails every 2-3 weeks, brush teeth several times weekly. Weight: keep lean at roughly 25-40 lb with a felt-but-not-seen ribcage and a visible waist; two measured meals; cut portions 10% if the waist disappears, because excess weight stresses the long back. Budget: $60-110/month food and routine care; $400-800/year wellness including annual ophthalmologist screening for glaucoma. Decision rule: if you cannot fence securely and accept regular hound baying, choose a quieter, more biddable breed — you will not train these traits out of a working scenthound.
Dive deeper into everything Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen — costs, care, and expert insights.
How Much Does a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Cost?
Purchase price, monthly costs, and lifetime expenses
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Care Guide
## Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Care Overview This Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen care guide gives...
Considering a cat instead?
Browse Cats Breeds
