Petit Basset Griffon

Vendéen

The Petit Basset Griffon Venéen is a scent hound developed to hunt small game over the rough and difficult terrain of the Vendéen region.The length of the breed's name has led to this chap being known to all and sundry by his initials, as the * PBGV * nicknames are often applied to favourites and it is a measure of this charm that,though still relatively rare after nearly twenty years in Britain after leaving his home in Western France, many devotees of other breeds will smilewhen he walks into the show - ring. He is bold and vivacious in character, compact, tough and most robust in construction. He has an alert outlook, lively bearing and a good voice freely used.Though low to the ground as denoted by the term *Basset* he is olso a balanced dog, extremely active and demonstrates soundness on the move.A typical hound, he is most at home in the country, preferably with his beard and moustaches picking up the dead leaves as the sweeps the ground after his prey. The most distinguishing characteristics of this bold hunter are his rough unrefined outline , his is very proudly carried head, displaying definitive long eyebrows, beard, and moustache, his strong,tapered tail carried like a sabre, alert and in readiness. Important to the breed type is the compact, casual, rather tousled appearance, with no feature exaggerated and his parts in balance. Any deviation from the ideal described in the standard should be penalised to the extent of the deviation. Structural faults common to all breeds are as undesirable in the * PBGV * as in any other breed, regardless of whether they are specificcally mentioned.

Characteristics* Strong active hound capable of a day's hunting, with a good voice freely used.

Temperament*  Happy, extrovert, independent, yet willing to please.

Head and Skull*   Medium in length, not too wide, oval in shape when viewed from front. Well cut away under eyes, stop must be clearly defined, occipial bone well developed. Muzzle slightly shorter than from stop to occipital point. Under jaw strong and well developed. Nose black, large with wide nostrils. Eyes surmounted by long eyebrows standing foreward but not to obscure eyes, lips covered with long haire froming beard and moustache.

Ears*  Supple, narrow and fine, covered with long hair, folding inwards, ending in an oval shape, reaching to end of nose, set on low, not above line of eye.

Mouth* Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, e.g. upper teeh closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite acceptable.

Neck* Long and strong, set into well laid shoulders, without throatiness, carring head proudly.

Body*  Chest deep with prominent sternum, ribs moderately rounded extending well back. Back of medium length, level topline with slight arching over strong loins.

HindQuarters*  Strong and muscular with good bend of stifle. Well defined second thigh. Hocks short and well angulated.

Feet*  Hard, tight  padded, not  to long. Nails strong and short.

Tail*  Of medium length, set on high, strong at base, tapering regular, well furnished with hair, carried proudly like the blade of a sabre.

Coat*  Rough, long without exaggeration and harsh to the touch, with thick undercoat, never silky or woolly. Shown untrimmed.

Colour*  White with any combination of lemon, orange, tricolour or grizzle markings.

Size*  Height, 34-38 cms  * 13.4-5 inch*. a tolerance orange of 1 cm *0.4 inch* either way allowed.

Faults*  Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note*  Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully decended into the scrotum.

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