Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
大型旺代格里芬巴吉度犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen — "large, low, shaggy dog of the Vendée" — is the tallest of the basset breeds, a rough-coated French pack hound with the longest legs, body and ears of the family and a moustache, beard and eyebrows that give it the air of a worldly but amiable Frenchman. Bred over 400 years to hunt hare and rabbit through the thorny scrub of the Vendée, it is independent, outgoing and happy — never high-strung, docile in the house, friendly and not easily agitated by other dogs or people — but a rugged, deceptively quick hunter that does not tire, cannot resist a chase and will not thrive as a couch potato. It needs a securely fenced area, lots of exercise well into its teens, and a family that lets it know its place in the pack.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 39–46cm |
| Weight | 18–20kg |
| Life expectancy | 13–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: hound FCI: 6 |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Wire coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 90–180min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 4/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 4/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 4/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
General health screening
The kennel-club pages consulted do not single out breed-specific conditions; ask your vet about routine screening (hips, eyes, heart) appropriate to a dog of this size.
Ear infections
The AKC advises checking the Grand's long ears regularly to avoid a build-up of wax and debris that can lead to infection. Ask your vet how to check and clean the ears.
Behaviour
Docile indoors, never a couch potato
The AKC says the Grand's quiet, docile demeanour makes it an excellent companion and house dog, but owners must be prepared to give it lots of exercise — it will not thrive as a couch potato, needs a securely fenced area because it cannot resist the urge to chase, and being sturdy does not slow down with age, so its exercise routine should continue into its teenage years. It is somewhat active but never high-strung: a busy dog that does not tire easily.
Friendly, a little stubborn — must know its place
The CKC calls the Grand a courageous hunter willing to tackle bramble and scrub, somewhat independent and a little stubborn, yet friendly, outgoing, not easily agitated by others and never aggressive toward dogs or people; it makes a wonderful family pet in the right home but must know its place within the pack, enjoys daily exercise into its teens and needs a secure fence because it cannot resist a chance to chase.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 5/5 (very high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 4/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen (Hounds)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Basset Griffon Vendeen Grand
Breed characteristics (size medium, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen (standard no. 33, group 6)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Basset Griffon Vendeen Grand — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen — FCI standard no. 33 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
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Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.