At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
rough, harsh coat with undercoat
A small, lively hound with a slightly long body, a proudly carried tail and an expressive bearded face. The harsh, rough coat is moderately long over a thick undercoat and is meant to look naturally tousled, never trimmed into shape.13
Personality what they are like
A cheerful, extroverted little hound that is confident and independent yet keen to please. Bred to hunt in a pack, it enjoys company and gets on well with other dogs and children, and it is calm indoors after an active day.341
Daily activity how busy a day looks
An energetic scent hound bred to hunt through thick brambles; needs regular, vigorous exercise.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The casual, rough coat should be kept natural rather than clipped or sculpted.3
Company who they like around
A pack hound that loves company, both human and canine.4
The story where it all began
The PBGV was developed in the Vendée to follow rabbits and hares through dense, thorny cover. It first shared a standard with the larger Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen, and gained its own separate standard through the work of Abel Dezamy. It is one of four Griffon Vendéen breeds.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The French describe it as 'a devil in the field, an angel in the house'.1
- 2
A PBGV named Buddy Holly (GCH Soletrader Buddy Holly) won Best in Show at Westminster in 2023, the breed's first win there.5
- 3
A team of PBGVs won the very first French Cup for rabbit hunting.1
- 4
Its white-based coat markings make it easy to spot in the field.3
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 67, Group 6 Scent hounds, Section 1.3 Small-sized hounds, with working trial; valid standard 09.01.1999.1
- AKC
- Hound Group; current standard approved 22 April 2014, effective 1 July 2014.3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Hand strippingHand stripping keeps the harsh texture; clipping also worksevery 12 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 67: Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen fci.beused for recognition, height, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for weight, lifespan, history
- AKC Official Standard of the PBGV images.akc.orgused for height, coat, colours, temperament
- AKC breed page: PBGV akc.orgused for temperament, social needs
- List of Westminster Best in Show winners - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for Westminster 2023
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.