About Us
Vivien Phillips began breeding Dachshunds in the late 1960s after her vet partner brought home an unwanted puppy. The love affair with dogs flourished and she became involved with BGVs in 1984 in a brief partnership. In 1989, the first litter of GBGVs was born in quarantine. In 1995, Vivien decided to go solo and the “Debucher” affix was established.
Since then, it has become one of the most successful BGV kennels in the UK, with multiple champions and show ring successes. Many important GBGVs have been imported, and “Debucher” hounds are now spread across the globe, with champions going as far as Australia.
As well as being Vice President, Vivien was also Health Officer of the UK BGV Club. She worked alongside Dr Peter Bedford and Dr Cathryn Mellersh to find a test for POAG, and in 2015 was awarded the Medal d’Honneur by the Club du Griffon Vendeen at the National Elevage in France. In 2015, the test was launched at Crufts:
Dr Cathryn Mellersh, head of the Genetics Centre, said: "We’re incredibly pleased to be able to offer this new test. A lot of hard work went into collecting the samples and identifying the mutation, none of which would have been possible without the continued support of the Basset Griffon Vendéen Club (BGVC).
"As there is no clinical test available to screen these dogs for POAG before the onset of the disease, it has been challenging for breeders to control. Now, any PBGV can have the non-invasive DNA test, collected via a simple cheek swab, giving the owner peace of mind about both the dog’s eye health and if it is a carrier of the genetic mutation.
"Hopefully, with responsible DNA testing and breeding we will be able to eradicate this painful and blinding condition from the PBGV population.”
"None of this would have been possible without the unstinting work of Vivien Phillips, the club’s health officer for eyes, Prof Peter Bedford and Dr Mellersh and her team. With this breakthrough it is hoped that, with careful and responsible breeding, owners and breeders can start the process of eradicating this condition in this wonderful breed. As chairman of the club we will do all we can to encourage all PBGV to be tested in the UK and overseas.”
Vivien’s achievements did not begin, nor end here, and she continued breeding and showing frequently. In 1997 she won the Hound Group at Crufts with Cedric the PBGV, making her the first person to win the group with a BGV. Cedric later went on to become a Champion. She also had the first UK GBGV Champion, Debucher Le Barbu.
Following nearly 60 years of incredible success, in April 2024, Vivien died suddenly in an accident whilst whelping a litter of Wire-Haired Dachshunds - ‘The Viv Litter’. All 5 puppies and their mother, Lily (Clipperdown Gilded Lily), survived the whelping, and three puppies were kept by Viv’s family to continue her legacy:
Clipperdown Viv Is Right (Vivi)
Clipperdown Vivien Leigh (Gertrude)
Clipperdown Viv Knows Best (Nacho)
Viv’s Granddaughter, Amelia Hepner Theodorou, took over both Debucher and Clipperdown, and continues to breed BGVs and Dachshunds to keep the original lines going to this day. She works in partnership with the Dachshunds with her mother, Viv’s daughter, Meredith Hepner-Chapman.
