Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen, often shortened to GBGV, is a rough-coated French scenthound from the Vendée region. "Grand" refers to its larger size within the basset griffon family, not to a tall dog; it remains a low-set hound with enough leg to follow hare and rabbit over broken ground. The breed has a long body, straight front, harsh tousled coat, beard, eyebrows, and drop ears. It is closely related to the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, but the Grand is generally larger, longer, and more deliberate in style.

Active homes can do well with a GBGV when they respect its hound nature. It needs regular sniffing walks, secure off-leash areas, and patient reward-based training, since scent can outrank a handler's request. The coat should look natural but still requires brushing, combing through furnishings, and occasional hand-stripping or careful trimming depending on the line. Ears should be kept dry and checked after field work. Prospective owners should ask about eye screening, epilepsy history, hip evaluation, and whether the dog comes from hunting, show, or companion-oriented stock.

Colors: Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, White and Black, White and Lemon, White and Orange, White and Tan, White Black and Tan, Yellow