|
| First Dog | Dog Care | Dog Training | Dog Feeding | Dog Health | Dog Breeding | Dog Showing | OutDoor Dogs | Working Dogs | Careers with Dogs | Forum | Pet Links | Site Map | Home | |
GRIFFONS VENDEENS |
|||||||
|
Additonal Breeds Starting With Letter:
Pet Sites
 |
La Vendee is
a district on the western coast of France, south of Brittany. The hounds
of Vendee are some of the oldest varieties, bred directly from the white
Southern Hound with crosses to rough-coated dogs reportedly from Italy.
Crosses also occurred to the Griffon Niver-nais. One of the first breeders
was a king's recorder (clerk) in the 15th century. Clerk in French is
greffier, and the reference to the "gref-fier's dogs"
gradually became "griffon." The name was first used to describe
these breeds and later to indicate many of the wire-coated hunting dogs.
Several griffons were given to King Louis XII, bringing him much pleasure.
In fact, the breed was once called Chiens Blancs du Roi or the
King's White Hounds.
The French Revolution
nearly sounded the death knell for these breeds, but they were fostered
and revitalized by devoted breeders in the 20th century with the first
club forming in 1907. The large (Grand) size was originally used in packs
for big game such as boar and wolf. They were noted for their stamina
and courage. The Grand is still a passionate and persistent hunter.
But hunting
land in France, as in much of the world, is becoming restricted and is
decreasing. This leaves a limited environment for the Grand, whose style
is to follow the quarry for many hours. This variety is the rarest of
the hunting Vendeens, and owners voice concern about "a dark future
for this breed." Enthusiasts hope that more serious breeders will
take up the banner of this old hound. One breeder in America has imported
stock and is working to establish these dogs.
Briquet is
the French term for a smaller hound used for hare coursing, and the Briquet
version of the Vendeen Hound is just a slightly smaller variety. He is
used today in small packs or singly as a personal hunting dog, literally
beating the bushes for all types of game. Not a commonplace dog either,
he has a wider appeal as a single hunter's dog, so is less likely to face
extinction than the Grand.
There are two
Basset, or short-legged, varieties of the Vendeen Griffons. The
two sizes originally occurred even in the same litters, and interbreeding
was allowed. It was 1950 before the Petit was given separate status, and
25 years later that crossing of the two sizes was forbid-den.
These short-legged Bassets were ideal for the Vendee landscape, which
is heavily interspaced with hedges and roads, making winter passage impossible
on horseback. Hare-coursing is done on foot, and hounds that stayed close
to the hunters were in demand. In both the large and small Basset varieties,
the body retains its full size with only the legs being shortened by the
dwarf mutation. In France and elsewhere the Vendeen Bassets are still
used individually or in packs for hunting all sorts of quarry, including
deer and wild boar, as well as smaller furred and feathered game.
Because of
its extroverted, lively nature and jaunty expression, the Petit Basset
has won some degree of popularity as a companion dog. Petit Basset Griffon
Vendeens (often called PeeBee-GeeVees or just Petits in America
to put a handle on their tongue-twister name) have been granted recognition
in Canada, and there are a good number in the USA, including some hunt
packs. A PBGV baby, "Alexander,"
created a minor sensation by winning Best Puppy at the acclaimed 1983
Professional Handler's Super Match before most of America knew what
the breed was. An American organization is fostering this breed, and
their proponents hope for AKC recognition in the near future. Affectionately
called Roughies in England and Griffons in Denmark, in French speaking
countries they are still called PetitBassetGriffonVendeen, fluently
rolled out as if it were all one word!
All these varieties are classic French hounds clad in a rough jacket, with lean heads and long folded ears. A lack of excessive loose skin, and the high-set, proudly carried saber tail completes the picture. The coat is medium length, rough and wiry, with plenty of undercoat for protection. It is not as long and shaggy as the Griffon Nivernais and is never trimmed, even for exhibition. Although
black/tan tricolors are allowed by the standard, the more commonly
seen brighter shades of red, orange or tawny with the predominance
of white sets these dogs apart from many hounds. The Grand Basset
always has straight (albeit short) legs, while the Petit's legs
may be either straight or a bit bowed.
Vendeens,
like most scenthounds, are vocal when hot on a scent. Hunting is
instinctive. So is digging. Non-hunters should be aware of these
inclinations, never leaving these hounds loose—or they will be gone,
over hill and dale!
|
