Today’s Breed of the Week is the GBGV. If you’re like me, you want to know what the heck that is. Yes, the GBGV is a dog. The letters stand for Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen. Which takes me on all kinds of rabbit trails – there’s a Petite versus the Grand; we discussed the Brussels Griffon months ago; what’s a Vendeen; and what the heck part does a Basset have to play in this?
Let’s find out!
Most of the Breed of the Week posts focus on pros and cons of the breed, certain characteristics, intelligence, maintenance, health, etc. Today I’m asking the questions, “How does the GBGV differ from other dogs it seems to resemble? What makes this dog different?”
For great photos of the breed, I strongly recommend y’all pop over to Emma’s blog, My GBGV Life. Emma’s mom is an amazing photographer and, if all GBGVs are as patient as Emma, playing dress-up is a darn good reason for an empty nester to get one.
First, the GBGV is a Foundation Stock Service breed, not eligible for AKC registration. This means that:
Each of the following breeds has been accepted for recording in the AKC Foundation Stock Service®. The AKC provides this service to allow these purebred breeds to continue to develop while providing them with the security of a reliable and reputable avenue to maintain their records. FSS® breeds are not eligible for AKC registration. Several of the FSS breeds are approved to compete in AKC Companion Events. To review the complete list of breeds approved to compete in companion events, click here.
For some pretty examples of the breed on YouTube, click here.
But the question that burned inside of me – what do all those names stand for?!? – was answered on Plainville Hounds site:
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is still a relatively unusual breed in the UK; their name comes from their physical description, Grand – Large, Basset – Low to the ground, Griffon – Rough coated and Vendeen – (pronounced Von-day-an) from the Vendee area of France.
Okay. So. Now I know what Basset means and it totally makes sense. The Griffon part makes sense, too, though Emma doesn’t look wiry and rough the way the Brussels Griffon is. Maybe that’s the way of saying their hair is long? Like the rough coat Collie versus the sleek one?The grand part, not so much. Emma and the other GBGVs don’t strike me as very large dogs. I guess the other three varieties of BGVs are smaller. WOW.
According to Plainville Hounds, the top coat sure is rough and wiry. But Emma looks so soft and silky! The site also says of the breed:
Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen are not for the faint hearted they are first and foremost scent hounds and will love to chase and follow interesting scents with tenacity when out and about, that said they can be trained with commitment and consistency to return although a sensible attitude needs to be adopted when deciding where to allow a GBGV to run off lead for example he is more likely to return to you on an open beach rather than a scent laden woodland walk.
I’m thinking the Wabbit and Venison Jerkies had to be driving Emma’s nose nuts! She’s a hound!
Well, this has worn me out. I love new info on breeds, but this takes the cake! Stay tuned tomorrow to find out how the Good Flea got her name!
Until I write again …
Flea
