Breed History
Translated to English, the Petit Basset Griffon Venden means small, low, rough coated, from the Vende dpartment of France, and this says quite a bit about the breed....
This scenthound was bred to trail hare in the harsh brambles and rocky terrain of La Vende; the dogs rough coat provided protection from thorns, short legs allowed it to move beneath the underbrush, and its relative length helped to speed the dog along all manner of ground. The PBGV traces its ancestry to the 16th century, though the breed did not attain the form we recognize today until the 18th century. At various times classified as a wire coated Basset Hound or a miniature Griffon Venden, the Petit Basset Griffon Venden was not recognized as a distinct breed until well into the 20th century; even up until the 1970s, the small and large Griffon Venden were interbred extensively. The PBGV was recognized by the American Kennel Club as a member of the Hound Group in 1990. Since that time, its popularity has grown somewhat in this country, though it remains a rare sight in American homes.