How to Groom a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are adorable little dogs with a big name. They have a charmingly messy appearance, which is in keeping with their personalities. Petit Bassets are small game hunters from the region of La Vendee, France, from which their name is derived. They have a single coat of harsh, wiry hair that is good for protection while hunting. They require a full grooming every 8 to 10 weeks.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scissors
• Thinning shears
• Slicker brush
• Natural bristle brush
• Steel combs
• Protein-rich shampoo
• Protein coat conditioner

1. Trim stray hairs from the feet, front legs and up to the hocks on the back legs with scissors and thinning shears.

2. Brush out the coat with a slicker brush, natural bristle brush and a steel comb as needed. Regular brushing helps control shedding. The coat is thick and wiry so don't over-style, but just give it a natural-looking appearance. Combing is generally better for this coat than brushing.

3. Bathe with a shampoo that is rich in protein to improve the look of the coat. After bathing and drying your Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, apply a mist of protein coat conditioner to give the dog an extra shine.

4. Check ears frequently for signs of wax and hair buildup. Clip hairs and remove wax to avoid inflammation and infection of the ears.

5. Clip the nails when necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Petit Bassets have a life expectancy of at least 14 years and possibly more.
• Although this breed hails back to ancient times in La Vendee, dog fanciers didn't fix the breed standards until 1947. This was done by a French breeder named Abel Desamy.
• Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens are susceptible to certain hereditary eye abnormalities which include persistent pupillary membranes and retinal folds. These two conditions generally don't affect the dog's vision. More seriously, owners have reported a few cases of glaucoma. This is a condition which generally causes blindness.