Plate 148 · Continental Europe
Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen
大格里芬旺代短腿犬
“The bigger of the two Vendéen bassets.”
- Origin
- France
- Vendée, western France
- Region of origin
- From the Vendée; the marker is the department's reference point.
- The point marks the region the breed comes from, not an exact birthplace.
- Era
- Late 19th century; type fixed by Paul Dézamy
- Today
- Hunting dog · Companion
Under editorial review — sources listed below.
History
01 · Origin
Vendée, western France
A rough-coated, short-legged French scent hound from the brambly Vendée, bigger than the Petit.
02 · Historical role
What it was bred for
Hunting rabbit and hare through bramble and rough ground, for hunters without horses.
03 · Breed development
How it changed
Derived from the Grand Griffon Vendéen, it was first selected by the Comte d'Elva and fixed by Paul Dézamy at about 43 cm. Until the 1970s Grands and Petits were interbred and sorted at a year old.
04 · Today
Hunting dog · Companion
A hunting hound and a cheerful companion.
Personality
- Independent
- Outgoing
- Happy
- Determined
General breed tendencies, not guarantees — individual dogs vary with genetics, training and environment. Ratings: the AKC’s trait scores as its breed page gives them (the AKC’s 1–5 guidance for owners, not a measurement). Other profiles here use editorial ratings, a different source, so compare across them with care.
- Exercise
- Lots of exercise in a securely fenced area; it will chase.
- Grooming
- Weekly brushing with a slicker and comb.
- Training
- Independent and a little stubborn, yet willing to please.
Living with one
- Size
- Medium
- Lifespan
- 13–15 years
- Coat
- Hard, rough, not too long coat; white with lemon, orange, sable, grizzle or black, or tricolour
Field note
Until the 1970s a puppy was assessed at one year old to decide whether it was a Grand or a Petit.
Recognition & today
- AKC
- Hound Group
- Also recognized by
- FCI (Group 6, standard 33)
- Popular in
- No reliable data
AKC: Hound Group, recognized 2018.
AKC registrations: ranked 200 among breeds in 2025.
Sources3 references
- Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen — breed information — American Kennel Club
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/grand-basset-griffon-vendeen/
Registry · accessed 2026-10-14 · Registry status, group, size, life expectancy and registration rank; history as the AKC tells it. Ratings: the AKC's own 1–5 owner-guidance trait scores as the page gives them (energy level, trainability, barking level, openness to strangers, good with other dogs), not measurements.
- Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen — Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Basset_Griffon_Vend%C3%A9en
Encyclopedia · accessed 2026-10-14 · Descent from the Grand Griffon, the Comte d'Elva and Paul Dézamy, size fixed at about 43 cm, game hunted.
- Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen — FCI breed nomenclature — Fédération Cynologique Internationale
https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/GRAND-BASSET-GRIFFON-VENDEEN-33.html
Kennel club · accessed 2026-10-14 · Country of origin France; Group 6, section "Scent hounds"; accepted 1967.
Text is written by World Breeds from the references above; it does not reproduce registry descriptions. Location note: From the Vendée; the marker is the department's reference point.
