You probably know that the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen originated in France.

You might know, too, that the GBGV is an old breed (it’s first dog show was in France around 1860).

You might even know that because the average French peasant was poor, couldn’t afford a horse, couldn’t keep up with large, fast hounds, but still needed to eat, they had to follow slower dogs on foot. Breeds like the PBGV and GBGV were bred to have short legs primarily for this reason.

What you may not get right is how to pronounce the GVGV’s name.  We figure you’ve managed “grand,” and “griffon.” We think many of you also knew to say “bass-ay” instead of “bass-et.” It’s that last word some of us may have tripped over. The natural inclination for an English speaker is to say, “ven-DEEN.” It is, in fact, “von-day-uhn” (with an almost silent “n”) and refers to Vendée, the region of France from which the breed hails. And now you know.

Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen wall relief rendered in cast stone by Eskandar & Marie-Noelle Magzub from ARTPERITAS
http://www.artperitas.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ARTPERITAS