Basset Griffon Vendeen - anyone have one?

[shelley72]

hi there, we are doing some research into various breeds, as i'd like to think that maybe in the future we will get another dog. we lost our dog (nearly 17) 2 years ago and i miss him every day. part of me thinks i could never have another dog as i could never go through that loss again. but part of me misses the good times that you have with your dog.

anyway i was having a play on the kennel club and it suggested the BGV as a suitable breed for our family based on the information we gave about how much time we could devote to exercise, grooming, size of house etc etc. having had a further look on the web they are gorgeous but it seems that these are mostly show dogs (which i would imagine make them prohibitively expensive )?

does anyone have one as a family pet and how good are they with small DC (since our dog died, our DS has become a bit wary of dogs so i dont even know if ever owning another dog would be a possibility). do they have a kind nature? are there any other breeds that we could consider? have always wanted a beagle but again not sure what these are like!

more generally can anyone remind me of the realities of owning a dog so that i can stop brooding for one?!

thank you so much

My friend has a petite, he is adorable, affectionate but demands a lot of walking, he is a hound and she cannot let him off the lead or he would bugger off for days!! They have children but older teenagers and he is just a great family dog. They are not a breed for sitting all day doing nothing, they like long ambles in the countryside, nose down gathering dirt!

I can't give you a fuller picture as not my breed, but their dog demands a lot more attention and walking than any of our poodles.

no but have always wanted one they are gorgeous,we were put off though by the hound features especially the not being able to train a reliable recall and also the barking,they apparently are very vocal!!

We went for a cocker spaniel instead!

My friend has a Petit. She's a delightful dog and lives happily with 2 larger dogs and cats. No small kids though but, as long as raised sensibly, I see no great reason why they couldn't live happily with children.

However, they are a very typical scent hound. One whiff of something interesting and they'll be off. And although you can train recall, hounds are notoriously difficult to achieve a reliable recall with as their instinct to hunt will override all else. Obedience is not generally a strong point. Hence why they are rarely walked off lead.

They are relatively rare and, as you've found, many of the breeders are show breeders. This is not a bad thing as the majority of show breeders are ethical in their breeding practices and will freely give you lifelong support and guidance. I have no idea The price should not really come into your decision as, over the lifetime of the dog, it is only a fraction of the cost of owning a dog. Please don't be tempted to go to a back yard breeder just to save a few quid up front. It could end up costing you more in the long run.

I'd advise you to contact the breed club - [www.bgvclub.co.uk]. They will be able to advise of club shows or events that you can attend or put you on touch with owners/breeders closest to you who will generally be happy to have you visit to meet their dogs and answer any questions you might have. It's always good to do this when there is not the distraction of puppies so that you can get a good idea of the adult dog that you will hopefully spend 12+ years as part of your family.

thank you all for your replies. i have never owned hounds before and have heard stories about them wandering off for days on end following a scent. as we are quite rural this may be a problem!

AnEcumenicalMatter i think i get what you mean about price, i didnt intend it to come across like that. i realise that the purchase cost of a dog is only part of a lifetime of vets bills, insurances, grooming trips, food, toys, etc etc. the last op our dog had (at age of 14) was £2k, his insurance was £70 pm when it ended so owning a dog again wouldnt be anything we went into lightly. saying that we still wouldnt want to pay thousands for a show quality dog when we have no intention of showing / breeding from them.

mrswoodentop thats interesting to hear that they are quite a vocal breed. i do think i have forgotten what its like to have a dog in the house. hmm maybe a vocal dog and two vocal preschoolers not a good idea!

i contacted the breed club at the weekend and found a local breeder whom i have also emailed asking them lots of questions. still not sure about visiting even grown dogs though as i do get incredibly broody for a dog !

thank you all again for your time. i may come back with more questions about owning a dog with small children in general later...

Aaah, i get you now. You shouldn't pay any more for a pup from a show breeder. There is usually an average price for pups of a certain breed and no breeder can guarantee what a pup will turn out like so the charge tends to be the same regardless of whether it's destined for the show ring or as a pure pet. And only one or two pups in a 'show' bred litter are ever likely to make the grade (and even then, some will never be shown) but the breeder still needs to find good homes for them all. So please don't let someone who shows put you off...they don't really care what you intend to do with the dog recreationally, only that you are a suitable home for their pup to be loved and cared for. After all, even a top show dog that shows every weekend is just a pet the other 300 days of the year :)

We had a PBGV up until 2 years ago when he died, aged 16, in his sleep. Prior to this I'd had a Collie Cross ( who co existed with the PBGV for 5 years) and a dachshund, so a fair bit of doggie experience.

Marston, our PBGV was the most affectionate and loving of dogs, keen on cuddles, could smile ( bared his teeth and grinned) and I absoloutely adored him. This being said he was not really a very good pet. His father was from a working pack in the Forest of Dean and his mother was a show dog. The breed spec says "good voice, freely given" and he did use it, barked constantly - not without reason but to go in go out, be fed go upstairs, come downstairs etc etc. He was off at the merest sniff of anything, so could not be exercised off the lead until he was 8 and slow enough for us to run after him and catch him - though in fairness his recall did improve with age. He was also very fond of getting covered in mud, fox poo etc etc. and difficult to keep clean. He looked very good clipped, which we eventually resorted to, but that is breed heresy! He was car sick which didn't help. I loved him to pieces but now I have a Staffie ( he is very old and quite ill at the moment - rescue dog taken at advanced age) and I would say he is a much better pet, and much cleaner to have in the house.

We still miss Marston terribly, but wouldn't have another PBGV. Beware they are such beautiful puppies you will find them very hard to resist, and of course if you love the little houndy ways ......... just be prepared to be seduced if you actually see any puppys.

I have known and still know several petit and grand in West Berkshire they are positively common there are nasty, nice, easy and difficult ones like any breed. As a vet they do seem to spend a higher than average amount of time in the surgery and whilst they are relatively small they do seem to be quite prone to GDVs so good insurance would be essential.

GBGVs are a bit calmer in general than petits, though obviously it depends on the individual dog. I knew a grand who was so laidback he made my regular bassets look hyper - he went everywhere with his owner in a 2CV and was very friendly. They do need a fair bit of grooming though, and have a houndy smell that you'll either come to love or learn to camouflage.

I have to say, though, that while the tales of hounds wandering off after a scent are certainly true, it doesn't make them impossible to own - beagles are much more likely to do a runner than the basset breeds. I walk mine on and off the lead, allowing for the variable recall I've managed to achieve, and I haven't lost them yet, although you do have to add extra time onto your walk for sniffage and always carry good treats. They make excellent family dogs because while they're happy to trot along for as long as you want, once you're home they don't have the same constant manic energy as terriers, or need for mental stimulation as collies or gundogs - they're very easy going and gentle, if less straightforward to train, and they really love their human pack.

and double yes to the cute PBGV/GBGV puppies. A good breeder will make sure you meet the fully grown slobbery hairy stinky dogs before you get so much of a sniff of the puppies - they're so adorable you'll want to put them all in your handbag at once...

We have a petite that we rescued when living in the North of Spain. NooNoo is 8 now and is much better at recall. She does escape out the garden every now and again for a wee wander.

Wonderful family dog. Wonderful dog. Very beautiful but does need a hair cut every now and again.

Never barks. Couldn't be without her.

My friend had one (a male) who was really hard work. VERY vocal, very stubborn, very impossible to recall. But fuck me he was one cute bastard, very cuddly and affectionate.

BluddyMoFo - that sounds exactly like my children - doesnt bode well for owning a dog does it?!!!

Well I have heard from the breeder and she has invited us to go and meet her dogs. There will be no puppies (thankfully) until the end of the year I think so thats a relief that we CANT POSSIBLY GET ONE. DH is seeming a bit reluctant to even visit now as he knows what will happen . I know deep down he would like another dog (he was asking about life expectancy and would any sadness coincide with the childrens exams!!!), but I think he just sees / worries about the work that is involved in bringing up a dog. And he is right I suppose. So maybe will put our plans on hold for a while longer.

wildfig thats interesting what you say, the breeder also said that GBGV are a lot more laid back than the smaller version, making me think this would be better suited to our family. we already have two demanding energy charged children so think we need a calming influence. maybe i am looking at the wrong breeds altogehter? and i would LOVE a beagle, but DH not as keen on them as me. However if its going to be tricky maybe not!

So do we visit, just to see the grown up dogs or not - what do you think? I dont want to waste anyones time. But I know that a dog is likely to be a year or so away (at least) and am happy to wait and consider further...

You're not wasting anyone's time by visiting. Breeders are happy to show off their dogs and talk about them at any opportunity. And they want you to be in a position to make an informed decision. They won't mind at all if you subsequently decide that the breed isn't suitable for your family.

Have just googles as not a breed I was aware of. Sack the puppies, the fully grown dogs are bloody gorgeous!

Can see why you would want one, but from reading the responses to this thread there must be easier breeds you could choose.

We had one, when I was 4 or 5. Bodger. Was lovely, thick as mince, rubbish nose (couldn't smell a steak unless it was an inch away) not easily trained. Oh, and he had a really strong hound dog smell, not entirely unpleasant, just very obvious. Did have exceptional recall though, quite possibly an exception to the breed. (plus, see crap nose comment above!) He died from cancer when I was 18, was totally heartbroken. We had lots of dogs when I was a wee un, (mum vet nurse, dad
mad dog man who volunteered at rescue, uncle whippet breeder) but Bodge was my favourite. Agree with whoever said totally different to terriers and guns, we had a terrier at the same time and he was a fucker- even after a good run he'd be digging in the garden or shredding sofas.

Love love love fuck me, he was one cute bastard.

do visit the dogs - they're LOVELY. You'll also get a very realistic picture of what it's like to live with them from the breeder. Check out her vacuum cleaner, for a start. She'll be v honest with you about their shortcomings as well as their enormous charms, and won't be hurt if you decide that actually they're a bit hairy/smelly/naughty for you. It's so much better to find out what life's like with an adult dog first, and is the kind of responsible research that breeders like to see in potential puppy buyers.

As far as beagles go, search for a few 'should I get a beagle?' threads in The Doghouse. The consensus seems to be '... not unless you fancy a new full-time job as beagle wrangler'.

hi back again! have been pondering this all week - and still not made the call to arrange a visit.

i think its because i know i will come away really wanting a dog again and wondering if having two children running about the place is fair on a dog? DS didnt arrive until our dog was 14 by which time he wasnt that playful and a little bit grumpy tbh . and i think i have forgotten how much time a dog needs - i am now a SAHM so will have lots of time with the dog, however there are days out which we may go on where we wouldnt be able to take a dog along which worries me a bit. i do agonise a lot over things i know but its like trying to decide whether to have a baby! i am just trying to weigh it all up in my mind. if we decide to visit the breeder i want her to feel that we would be good parents!

and another daft question, do hounds smell different to other dogs then? dont all dogs just smell, well, doggy?

Think sight hound - if you are ready for hours and hours of recall training and possible frustration then go for it - there are easier dogs to live with

Also if you like the sound of howling - get one - their howl is amazing but could disturb the neighbours.

If you want an easy pretty family pet - I would widen your search.

Having said all of that there will be exceptions they are dogs always ready to surprise you

I have a rescue one, well a PBGV, from a bad breeder originally (he was a little bit bigger than show standard for breed) and we were recommended him because he is so good with children, so gentle, we weren't looking for one specifically but did tell rescue we planned to start a family. There are quite often ones needing re-homed on the PBGV web-page, so the BGV might have similar. He is slightly oblivious to the baby but not in a bad, standing on them or anything, way and not remotely jealous. A neighbour's 8 year old walks him as well, without problems, and we quite often are asked by strangers if their child can pat him as they are normally scared of dogs but would like to encourage them to get over it, he is seen as a good first step I assume, looking like a docile teddy bear.

We can also let him off the lead if we have biscuits with us but have never got past the part of training where you can pretend to have biscuits (he can smell when there are biscuits). BBQ season in the park is a strictly on-lead affair, but woodland walks tend to be okay if you can keep an eye on him and pre-empt the brain switching off and going into tracker mode. There are other different French Bassets, the Brittany version has a border terrier kind of coat and needs less grooming. If Beagle is your other option, I don't think there is a huge deal to separate them in training and obedience terms. He is also extremely tolerant, at the vets, having his hair cut, being poked by a small child, being left at home. We have loads of volunteers for days we can't take him with us and most cities have a pet-sitter swap thing you can sign up for, or you will meet other dog owners on your walks who can help out on the odd day.

He does smell like cookies when he has been asleep, it is lovely, and he is so cuddly.

You could go along to a GBV show, if you wanted to see lots of dogs all at once with no pressure to view puppies? The BGV breed club has a list of events and there'll be plenty of owners there who'll talk you through the pros and cons.

You'll also get a great sense of what a pack of hounds sounds like.

I've had the pleasure of owning three Gransd Basset Griffon Vendeens......... please ask me ANYTHING...... however please, please, please do NOT get a dog from the hound group and keep it by itself.... worst thing you can do to a 'true' hound, they are a pack dog and need the company of at least another dog.... having had hounds in my life for 20 years plus and resucing/fostering hounds as well I do have some experience!

Hi
We have recently got a petit basset pup. She is currently 15 weeks old and we paid £1495 from a breeder in Scotland who shows dogs. She is the busiest puppy we have ever had ( previously we had a bearded collie and a Polish lowland sheepdog) but we were warned about the naughty behaviour. She is extremely friendly and thinks everybody wants to fuss her. She is a lot of hard work and not for the faint hearted but of course extremely cute and we just decided, as this is probably our last dog, to not be sensible and get something a bit crazy before we are too old. Good luck with your choice, it’s a tough one.