Scenthound Large size 30-35 kg

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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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
30-35 kg, 60-65 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 Hound typically weighs 30-35 kg, stands 60-65 cm, and lives 10-13 years.

Consider this breed if…

you hunt or can give it hours of daily running and scent work,
you want a rugged, sociable hound that lives well with other dogs,
you have rural space and a securely fenced property,
you accept an independent nose and a carrying hunting voice.

Do not consider this breed if…

the dog would be home alone through a full workday,
you need dependable off-leash recall in open ground,
a loud, baying voice would trouble you or your neighbors,
you cannot keep up long daily exercise year-round.

A typical day with a Grand Vendeen Rough Haired Hound

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long walk, run, or field work following a scent
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rest with the family after the coat is checked
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk with plenty of sniffing time
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Short, reward-based training, 10-15 minutes
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Second long walk or hike over varied terrain
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Settles calmly once well exercised

Temperament and training

Prey drive Very high
Sociability with dogs High
Independence Very high
Trainability Low
Vocality High
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Letting it off leash before recall is proven and losing it to a scent line · Under-exercising a working hound and getting destructive boredom · Expecting quick obedience from an independent, strong-willed breed

Family and environment

Kids Good
Friendly and tolerant; supervise given its size and energy.
Dogs Good
Bred to hunt in packs; generally sociable with other dogs.
Cats Poor
Strong prey drive makes cats and small pets a real risk.
Apartment Not suited
Size, energy, and voice all rule out flat living.
House with a yard Suitable
Needs tall, secure fencing; its nose leads it to roam.
City Not ideal
Baying and heavy exercise needs clash with urban life.
Countryside Ideal
Open ground and scent work suit the breed perfectly.
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.

Shorter-legged Vendeen relative
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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Another rough-coated French hound
Nivernais Rough Haired Hound
A rugged French scent hound with stamina and a strong nose; independent, nose-led, and best for active hunting homes.
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Similar large, shaggy scenthound
Otterhound
A big, shaggy, good-natured scent hound with huge exercise needs; rare, independent, and not a flat dog.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Grand Vendeen Rough Haired Hound cost?
This is a rare French pack hound bred mainly for hunting, so it is very hard to find outside France and seldom offered as a pet in the US, usually meaning waitlists or imports. Prices vary widely. Whatever the up-front cost, the bigger figure is lifetime care of a large active dog - food, vet care, grooming, and emergencies add up to thousands of dollars over its life, so plan for insurance or an emergency fund.
Is this hound a good companion dog?
It can be an affectionate, rugged housemate, but it is a working scenthound first. Without long daily exercise and scent work it becomes bored and destructive, and its strong independence makes it a demanding fit for a purely companion home.
Can it be trusted off leash?
Not reliably. Bred to trail scent over long distances, it will follow its nose and ignore recall. Most owners keep it leashed or within secure fencing, and recall training is a patient, long-term project.
How is it with other animals?
It usually gets on well with other dogs thanks to its pack heritage, but its hunting drive makes cats and small pets a poor and risky match, even with careful introductions.