Scenthound Medium size 18-20 kg

Grand Vendeen Rough Haired Basset

A cheerful, long-bodied rough-coated hound with a stubborn streak - fun and sociable, but with a determined nose and steady exercise needs.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
18-20 kg, 39-44 cm
High
Activity
High stamina; needs a long daily run or hike
Low
Alone-time tolerance
Pack-minded; dislikes long hours alone
Challenging
Trainability
Independent nose; recall takes real work
Moderate
Coat care
Dense or rough coat; regular brushing and trimming
Good
Fit with kids
Good with kids given supervision
Good
Other pets
Pack-social; usually fine with other dogs
Moderate
Health burden
Dental Disease, Hip Dysplasia, Bloat

The Grand Vendeen Rough Haired Basset typically weighs 18-20 kg, stands 39-44 cm, and lives 12-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a cheerful, sturdy hound and can give it real daily exercise,
you enjoy a characterful dog and will laugh off some stubbornness,
you have secure fencing and time for scent games and training,
you like a sociable dog that fits well with other dogs.

Do not consider this breed if…

the dog would be home alone through a full workday,
you need reliable off-leash recall in open ground,
you want an easy, quick-to-obey first dog,
you cannot commit to daily walks and mental work.

A typical day with a Grand Vendeen Rough Haired Basset

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Brisk walk or run with plenty of sniffing
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rest at home after the coat and ears are checked
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk plus a scent game to use the nose
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Short, upbeat training, 10-15 minutes with rewards
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Longer walk or hike over varied ground
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Settles happily once its exercise needs are met

Temperament and training

Prey drive High
Sociability with dogs High
Independence High
Trainability Low
Vocality High
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Mistaking its size for low exercise needs and under-walking it · Trusting off-leash freedom before recall is solid and losing it to a scent · Getting frustrated with normal hound stubbornness instead of using rewards

Family and environment

Kids Good
Cheerful and sturdy with children; supervise young kids as always.
Dogs Good
Pack heritage makes it generally sociable with other dogs.
Cats Conditional
Hunting drive is real; safest with cats it was raised alongside.
Apartment Conditional
Possible with committed daily exercise, but its voice can carry.
House with a yard Suitable
Needs secure fencing; the nose leads it to dig and wander.
City Conditional
Workable for an active owner who meets its exercise needs.
Countryside Ideal
Room to run and follow scent suits the breed best.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Dental Disease Routine home care and cleanings reduce risk
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock; manage weight and joint load
Bloat (GDV) Deep-chested build; learn the emergency signs
Chronic Ear Infections Drop or hairy ears need regular cleaning

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Smaller Vendeen basset relative
Petit Vendeen Rough Haired Basset
A cheerful, shaggy little pack hound; happy and sociable but stubborn and driven by its nose.
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Larger, longer-legged Vendeen cousin
Grand Vendeen Rough Haired Hound
A large, tousled French hunting hound with high stamina and independence - suited to active owners who can channel the drive.
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Another low-set scenthound
Basset Hound
A gentle, low-slung scenthound that is wonderful with kids but stubborn on the trail and prone to ear, back, and weight issues.
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Frequently asked questions

How much does a Grand Vendeen Rough Haired Basset cost?
This is a rare French hound in the US, so expect few breeders, possible waitlists or imports, and prices that vary widely by availability. Whatever the up-front cost, the bigger figure is lifetime care - food, routine vet visits, grooming, and possible emergencies add up to thousands of dollars over 12-14 years, so budget for insurance or an emergency fund.
Is this basset a good family dog?
Yes, it is a cheerful, friendly, sturdy hound that generally does well with children and other dogs. The catch is that it is a working scenthound with real exercise needs and a stubborn streak, so it suits an active family rather than someone wanting a quiet, easy pet.
Does it really need much exercise despite its size?
Yes. Its short legs are deceptive; this is a stamina hound bred to work all day, and it needs a good daily walk or run plus scent games. An under-exercised one gets bored, vocal, and prone to digging.
Can it be trusted off leash?
Not reliably. Like most scenthounds it will follow its nose and tune out recall, so most owners keep it leashed or within secure fencing while working steadily on recall training.