Buddy Holly, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, took the 2023 Westminster Dog Show by storm. The first of his breed to ever win the prestigious Best in Show award, this adorable little dog stole viewers’ hearts with his cheery disposition, confident temperament, and scruffy little face. “A distinguished Frenchman” is what show announcers aptly called him. While dog enthusiasts can rattle off this breed name with ease, most people have never heard of the PBGV. This special breed actually has a rich history that dates back to the 1600s.
Why did Buddy Holly win Best in Show?
The slow-motion shot of Buddy Holly prancing around the show ring to the Buddy Holly song “Every Day” after winning “Best Hound” was a moment to remember. But Buddy Holly surprised us even more when he went on to take the Best in Show title, the first of his breed to do so.
Though Buddy Holly certainly isn’t lacking in adorable looks, that isn’t the only reason he won Best in Show. Breed conformation, as seen in the Westminster Dog Show, actually serves an essential purpose in ensuring the health and function of dogs in the future. The dogs are judged based on physical structure, temperament, and adherence to the breed standard. The breed standard is developed to maximize a dog’s ability to perform his or her breed’s original function.
The purpose of confirmation events is to ensure that the healthiest and fittest representatives of their breeds are selected for continuing their lineage. “The comparison is really the Greyhound to the Greyhound breed standard and the Afghan to the Afghan breed standard. A winner should exemplify his or her standard more than the other dogs represent theirs,” the AKC explains. To take Best in Show, a dog must first win Best of Breed to compete in the breed group. After winning Best of Breed, Buddy Holly won Best of Group in the Hound group. AKC breed groups include Working, Herding, Hound, Terrier, Sporting, Non-sporting, and Toy. The best of all groups is then judged at the final level, the Best in Show.
The History of the PBGV
As hunting dogs, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen’s rough coat was developed to keep them safe from tough vegetation. Their long eyebrows, “mustache” over their lips, and hairy ears help create their adorable character- but they also helped shield the dog’s faces when chasing rabbits through the undergrowth.
This rustic breed has served a functional purpose since its development in 1600s coastal France. Like many purpose-bred dogs, everything about the PBGV is designed for its historical function. Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen dogs were used to hunt rabbits and other small animals in packs. Scent Hounds like the PBGV need little training to perform their job, as tracking and trailing small animals comes instinctively. Their confident personalities and rough coat make it easy for them to push through thick, tough vegetation and brambles.
“Petit” means “small”, “basset” means “low”, “griffon” means “rough-coated”, and Vendeen refers to the dog’s area of origin in France.
The PBGV is actually the smallest of a family of similar dog breeds. The other members of the family include the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen, the Briquet, and the Grand Griffon. While this breed has been around for quite some time, it has only been recognized by the American Kennel Club since 1990.
Is a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Right for Your Family?
For the active, hound-savvy family, the PBGV makes a wonderful companion. These bright and cheery dogs are highly active, so plenty of exercise is ideal. They make excellent hiking companions!
Scent hounds like the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are highly scent-motivated, so plenty of sniffing will tire this dog out faster than exercise alone. Caregivers should be sure to provide scent-related enrichment, allow plenty of time for smelling on walks, and can involve their dogs in nose sports such as scent work and barn hunt.
Scent hounds also have a tendency to follow their noses just about anywhere- even if it isn’t safe to do so. This means that caregivers should be highly cautious about off-leash time. The use of long lines during outings can save a dog’s life. Teaching off-leash recall is vital for these dogs, and may take extra patience compared to other breeds. Be sure to use extremely high-value treats when teaching recall skills to this breed; a big ask requires big pay!
Which Dog is Right for You?
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a fantastic beginner dog breed. But that doesn’t mean that everyone needs to go out and get one. Both purebred and mixed-breed dogs can make wonderful companions. People typically elect to purchase well-bred, purebred dogs for consistent genetic traits, or to carry out a specific task that certain breeds are better prepared for. A master’s level agility competitor will likely seek out a Border Collie or a Shetland Sheepdog rather than an English Bulldog. An esteemed truffle hunter would likely acquire a Lagotto Romagnolo, an ancient European breed created just to seek out these elusive treats.
For the everyday person, a rescued dog can be a perfect companion. There are so many of these devoted animals in need of loving homes. If adopted from a reputable rescue group, a rescued dog will have spent time in a foster home prior to adoption, had their temperament evaluated, and had any bite history or behavioral issues fully disclosed. It’s important to do your research on the rescue group you choose to adopt from and take the breed or breed mix of your prospective new pup into deep consideration.
Finding the Right PBGV
If you’ve decided a purebred dog like a PBGV is right for you, consider first checking breed-specific rescue groups.
If you feel that buying a purebred puppy is best suited for your family, it is absolutely essential to ensure that you work with an ethical breeder to acquire your new best friend. Luckily, this breed is less trifled with by puppy mills and backyard breeders than more popular breeds, such as French Bulldogs and Labrador Retrievers. Still, not all dog breeders have the same standards. Checking all of the right boxes when acquiring a puppy is not only the right thing to do, it will set you and your healthy new PBGV puppy up for success.
Whether you want a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen in your life or you’re happy to simply admire them from afar, this unique and delightful breed is one to be appreciated by dog lovers everywhere.
