The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is almost a smaller version of his bigger brother the Grand Griffon Vendeen. It was count Christian d'Elva from the "de Ricoudet" kennel who seriously bred these "basset" types and selected them for their hunting qualities as well as their looks. He wanted a hound with stamina, a good rough coat and straight front legs.

In 1907 monsieur Paul Dezamy founded the French "Club du Griffon Vendeen". He was looking for a "hare hound" quick enough for the Vendee landscape where hunting on horseback was almost impossible.

With the death of monsieur Dezamy in 1933, Abel Dezamy now wanted the two breeds to be distinctive. According to him the Petit Basset was not simply a smaller hound but "should be harmoniously reduced in all proportions while retaining all the hunting qualities of his larger relative the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen." The general opinion was and still is that the Grand Basset is ideally suited for hunting hare and the Petit is better suited to hunting rabbit, being shorter in leg he is able to get through thickest undergrowth whilst the GBGV has the speed for the chase in open country as well.

The Grand Basset can be divided into two types. The "Dezamy" type with longer legs, more bone and the noble sculptured head and the "type classique" shorter in leg and not as heavy in bone which to a non- specialist could appear to be a large Petit. There are however some very subtle differences.

The GBGV should give the appearance of a large hound on shortened legs. Noble in head with a long strong muzzle and good well curled long ears reaching beyond the end of the nose which should be large with big nostrils. A body of good length and a strong high set tapering stern to be carried like the blade of a sabre and to reach below the hock. His smaller cousin the "Petit" should give the appearance of a small compact hound with short muzzle, ears not reaching beyond the nose and tail to the hock.

The dominant kennel of the classique type is the "Hamel de la Renaudie" kennel of monsieur Renaud Buche the president of the club and now the president of the French Kennel Club. His many champions include "Lucky Luke du Hamel de la Renaudie," "Nemo du Hamel de la Renaudie" and his son "Santal du Hamel de la Renaudie". Other champions include "Vidocq" "Candie" and "Grognon".

In 1994 "Debucher" imported "Jolanda du Hamel de la Renaudie" as a puppy who came through quarantine. Her sire "Grognon” was a “Bacchus” and "Candie" son and her dam "Abelle des Erondes de Peussefier" was a "Santal" daughter. "Jolanda" proved to be a very significant influence on the breed in the UK. She had 4 litters and then retired to the Devonshire countryside.

Even today a litter of GBGV can be very varied in height. The reason for this is that after the 2nd world war the Grand Griffon and Briquet had almost died out and the breeders used the oversized grand bassets up until 1976 when it was forbidden to cross breed any of the 4 sizes. The French standard insists that the GBGV must have the "Basset" appearance and not resemble a "Briquet" type.

Until recently, the top dogs bred from outside France came mainly from the "Roc de Deymier" lines using the expertise of monsieur Yves Audouy. In the 80’s the top winning dogs in and outside France were:

"French Dutch Lux Ch. Loustic du Roc de Deymier" "Dutch Ch. Roquepine du Roc de Deymier" and her sire "French Ch. Lamour du Roc de Deymier."

As well as those previously mentioned GBGV's, who were top winners in France in the early 80’s were "Vigo des Erondes de Peussifier". "Seigneur du Roc de Deymier", "Vizir de la Guimandiere" who was used in "du Val d'Orbieu" breeding (he was a very good hunting hound of "Dezamy" type). Also "Miko" and "Rudhy du Val d'Orbieu" and "Osiris du Barbillot des Maladieres".

I am pleased to say by 2002 most of these lines had been imported into the UK.

Jolanda Huisman of the famous "Greffier du Roi " kennel, bred "Dutch/Danish/ German champion Dampierre du Greffier du Roi" he was also 3 times world champion. He was by "Santal du Hamel de la Renaudie" ex "Roquepine du Roc de Deymier". This male became in turn the sire of the first two litters born in the UK in quarantine.

In 1987 the "Dehra" name bought a bitch from Jolanda Huisman "I’m Dutch du Greffier du Roi" (Hennessey Cognac du Greffier du Roi - Et Caetera du Greffier du Roi). She was sent to Denmark to live for a short time with Per Knudsen a famous PBGV breeder of the "Morebess" kennel. He mated her to "Ch. Dampierre du Greffier du Roi" and the first litter out of "Dutchy" born early 1989 in quarantine was a litter of 4. Sadly the best male "Dehra ambassador" died at 15 months of a twisted gut. A sister was also lost very young. The other bitch "Dehra Allo Allo" was campaigned in the early 90’s by Lynne Owens of the "Jaclin" kennel. "Grace" had 3 litters and died at 15 years of age.

"Dutchy" returned to Holland after her litter and in a second litter produced "Mise en Scene du Greffier du Roi" sired by " Amour du Roc de Deymier" who later went to Sweden. Their son "Qu-Pid du Greffier du Roi" came through quarantine as a youngster in 1993. He proved a useful stud and was the sire of Dehra Allo Allo's first litter. He was mated to "Efficace du Roc de Deymier" 3 times producing the Dehra "D" and "F" litters he also sired a litter to Dehra Charlotte at Melanter an Efficace daughter.

After Dehra moved to the USA, Debucher was founded and the Debucher "G" litter was born (Qu-Pid - Efficace). From this litter "Debucher Gaston" was sold to the Bassbarr kennel and sired many litters.

Jolanda Huisman had bred a highly successful litter from "Dampierre" to " Halou Baba du Greffier du Roi". This litter included "Jaromir du Greffier du Roi" who was campaigned in Germany and throughout Europe by Heidi Winkelmann. Becoming a multi champion, he was one of the top winning hounds of his era. His litter sister "Jour'd'Ete du Greffier du Roi" was one of the most heart-stopping bitches I ever saw and won the Paris show at the age of ten years!! Sadly she never produced a litter for her owners, the Huikeshoven family.

On 30th November 1990, a second litter was born in quarantine. This was a repeat mating. The dam "Halou Baba" had been kindly loaned to us by Jolanda Huisman and bred to "Dampierre". The pups were brought through quarantine by Diane and Colin Poole "Peterstown".

From the second litter the pick a bitch, "Bien- Venue at Dehra" was raised at Clipperdown Cottage. She later produced one litter to "Flambeur" before going to the USA in 1995. This was the Dehra "E" litter.

After two litters were born in quarantine with the help of Jolanda Huisman, I was able to purchase "Efficace du Roc de Deymier" a 2 year old bitch in 1991. She in turn was mated to "Eros des Erondes de Peussefier" and came through quarantine in whelp. Tragically the litter of 6 puppies died at about two weeks old but my decision to bring "Effie" through quarantine was ultimately a wise one as she produced 5 litters in the UK. Her last litter to "Bien Fait du Greffier du Roi" included Dutch champion "Debucher le Barbu" of which more later.

In 1992 "Efficace" was mated to the litter brother of "Bien- Venue", "Billy Joe Peterstown" and produced the Dehra "C" litter. From this litter "Dehra Charlotte at Melanter" was sold to Stella Blackmore and proved a very useful brood bitch for Scotland. One of her sons " Melanter Fetlar from Stepends" belonging to Vy Mochan was the first Grand Basset to win BOB at Crufts in 1999. His sire Dehra Esperance de Debucher came from the very successful Dehra "E” litter.

Another bitch from the "C" litter, Dehra Cherie belonging to Val Jackson and Peter Marks "Duntech" also produced several litters, many of which have had a successful show career. A male, "Dehra Chanaan" was lightly shown by owner Pam Aldous and was used at stud and his progeny have also been very relevant to the breeding programme in the UK. One of his daughter's out of "Dehra Allo Allo's" second litter was "Jaclin Bewitched at Deannound" belonging to Yvonne Dean. She was best bitch at Crufts 1999.

In 1993 Yves Audouy offered me a young 18 month old male who had just won the reserve CAC at the French elevage. You could not pass this wonderful hound by and after a short discussion fortunately Jolanda Huisman agreed to buy him with me and take him to Holland where he could be used at stud and also become a Dutch champion. His 2 litter sisters both in the Netherlands also produced excellent progeny of good type winning consistently all over Europe. This dog was "Flambeur du Roc de Deymier." he was top stud in Holland, Sweden, and the UK and is possibly the most influential Grand Basset in the history of the breed in the UK. He died at 12 years of age. His sons and daughters are producing excellent type to this day.

In January 1994 " Flambeur" came out of quarantine along with 2 PBGV's purchased in France the previous year. I was so lucky to have him as Yves Audouy died in 1992 soon after Jolanda and I bought him. The "Roc de Deymier" kennel was dispersed amongst a few breeders in France. Sadly the expertise of his lines died with their breeder. Jolanda Huisman and I gleaned some of his wonderful knowledge and happily the "Flambeur" litters and those of his sisters "Farandole" and "Favorite" in Holland have helped to maintain the type both here and in the Netherlands and Scandinavia.

Through 1994 Flambeur was campaigned and was top imported register all breeds in 1994 and top hound imported register in 1995.

His first litter in 1994 co-bred by myself and Dehra "Bien- venue at Dehra" produced some wonderful puppies. " Dehra Esperance de Debucher" "Bear" was a wonderful house dog here at Clipperdown Cottage and has produced many very good offspring in his own right. "Melanter Fetlar for Stepends" was from one of his early litters to "Dehra charlotte at Melanter."

Grands Bassets finally came off the imported register in 1996 "Bear " was the first GBGV to go Best in Show in the UK in January 1997 and subsequently first GBGV BOB at an all breed championship show that year. He was top GBGV 1996 and 1997 jointly with his litter sister "Dehra Esprit d'Amour" owned by Jessica Holm of the Holmchappell kennel. Amongst the championship shows that gave us breed classes Jolanda Huisman was invited to judge "Houndshow" that year . She gave best of breed to "Dehra Allo Allo" and best male to "Flambeur." Best puppy was "Melanter Fetlar" ( a Flambeur/Efficace grandson) who went best puppy in show. Now with these classes finally the GBGV’s could qualify for Crufts!!!

Another brother from the Dehra "E" litter "Int. Champion Dehra Extra Ordinaire" owned by Jolanda made his debut at 9 months at the national elevage in France in June 1995 and took best of breed much to the utter joy of myself and Jolanda. The judges were Renaud Buche and Daniel Didier. He also won the dog CAC at the French elevage in 1996 he is an international champion having achieved his hunting title in France. He is also the sire of some of the best dogs from the Greffier du Roi kennel.

"Dehra Embrasser" a litter sister produced 4 litters. Her first to "Debucher Gaston" produced "Debucher Ivoire" a lovely lemon and white bitch who was top GBGV puppy in 1997. "Fleur" was also mated to "Bien fait du Greffier du Roi", "Debucher Jaromir" and "Stepends Metier."

A brother "Dehra Ebats" belonging to Sue and Mick Virgo sired many litters including a litter to "Dehra Cherie". A daughter from this litter "Duntech Bavard" was best bitch at Crufts in 2000.

Dehra Esprit d'Amour "Anu" the first GBGV for Jessica Holm the BBC Crufts presenter made several appearances on the TV programme not least as a "tracking hound" with the Otterhounds in the new forest and also did an agility course at Crufts in the big ring! She also won best any variety not separately classified hound at Crufts in 1998 the first year the breed made its appearance at this show. She proved a good brood bitch and her daughter by "Bien Fait du Greffier du Roi," " Holmchappell Hellion" has been a very successful competitor in the show ring and produced a litter to the new import at Debucher, "Nireau du Barbillot des Maladieres".

In 1995 "Jolanda du Hamel de la Renaudie" came through quarantine from monsieur Buche and produced four litters. One to "Flambeur" another to "Bien Fait du Greffier du Roi" and 2 to "Bear". From the "Flambeur" litter a brother and sister "Debucher Jaromir" and " Debucher Jour d'Hiver" have between them produced exciting progeny.

Peter Marks brought through a puppy bitch who quarantined with "Jolanda" this was "Joie de Vivre des Clos de Montepazat" but she never produced puppies.

In 1996 I brought into the UK under the balai directive a young male from the Greffier du Roi kennel. "Bien fait du Greffier du Roi" ("Rendez Vous du Greffier du Roi" ex "Pourquoi pas du Greffier du Roi") "Pourquoi" a truly beautiful bitch was also a "Dutchy" daughter bred to "Eros des Erondes de Peussefier". This male "Ben" proved yet another very significant stud for the breed in the UK. His first litter to "Efficace" produced "Dutch champion Debucher le Barbu" who was top GBGV 1998. 2000. 2001 2002 2003 2004 (and top hound in the UK 2001 "Barbu" was also no. 7 all breeds in the UK in 2001 unprecedented for a rare breed.

Bien Fait du Greffier du Roi and Dehra Esperance de Debucher-
two of the dominant studs in the UK and also both top winning show dogs in their day