^© The Kennel Club - Unauthorised Reproduction of Text and Images Prohibited

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.

To view photos of this breed please visit the Kennel Club Picture Library

General Appearance
Well balanced, short-legged, compact hound. Rough-coated with alert outlook and lively bearing.

Characteristics
Strong, active hound capable of a day’s hunting, with a good voice freely used.

Temperament
Happy, extrovert, independent, yet willing to please.

Head and Skull
Medium in length, not too wide, oval in shape when viewed from front. Well cut away under eyes; stop clearly defined; occipital bone well developed. Muzzle slightly shorter than from stop to occipital point. Underjaw strong and well developed. Nose black, large with wide nostrils. Eyes surmounted by long eyebrows standing forward but not to obscure eyes; lips covered with long hair forming beard and moustache.

Eyes
Large, dark, showing no white, with friendly, intelligent expression. Red of lower eyelid not showing.

Ears
Supple, narrow and fine, covered with long hair, folding inwards, ending in an oval shape; reaching to end of nose; set on low, not above line of eye.

Mouth
Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite acceptable.

Neck
Long and strong, set into well laid shoulders; without throatiness; carrying head proudly.

Forequarters
Shoulders clean and sloping; elbows close to body. Forelegs straight, a slight crook acceptable; thick and well boned. Pasterns strong and slightly sloping. Knuckling over highly undesirable.

Body
Chest deep with prominent sternum; ribs moderately rounded extending well back. Back of medium length; level topline with slight arching over strong loins.

Hindquarters
Strong and muscular with good bend of stifle. Well defined second thigh. Hocks short and well angulated.

Feet
Hard, tight padded, not too long. Nails strong and short.

Tail
Of medium length; set on high, strong at base, tapering regularly, well furnished with hair; carried proudly like the blade of a sabre.

Gait/Movement
Free at all paces, with great drive. Front action straight and reaching well forward; hocks turning neither in nor out.

Coat
Rough, long without exaggeration and harsh to the touch, with thick undercoat, never silky or woolly. Shown untrimmed.

Colour
White with any combination of lemon, orange, tricolour or grizzle markings.

Size
Height 33-38 cms (13-15 ins).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - July 1997

Glossary of Canine Terms

Health Information

The Kennel Club operates health screening schemes with other organisations.  Some are clinical veterinary screening schemes and some are DNA screening schemes, which may be relevant to this breed.

The current health screening requirements and recommendations for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders of this breed show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by an Accredited Breeder.

Breed specific summary results from the Purebred Dog Health Survey in 2004 are available.  Individual summaries are only available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

The Kennel Club Illustrated Breed Standards Containing full descriptive standards for 192 breeds, as well as representation for the six Kennel Club recognised breeds that are currently without standards, this beautifully illustrated volume is a must for all dog enthusiasts. This third edition has been completely revised and updated by a panel of experts and incorporates the very latest standards for breeds in each group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

BASSET GRIFFON VENDEEN CLUB. Sec. Mrs L Skerrit. Tel No: 01753 817987

Date page created:

Categories:

Hound Group 

This article has been read 22105 times.