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Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Health Care & Feeding

By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

Start your Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen off on the right foot by feeding the right food, giving the right vaccinations, finding the right vet, and if you're going to spay or neuter, don't do it too early.


Jump down to this list of
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Health Problems


Or check out my advice for raising a healthy Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen puppy or adult dog:

Obedience instructor and author Michele Welton Dog Health Care – The Sensible Way
Read my advice on daily health care so your Petit (pronounced pa-TEE  lives a long, healthy life and seldom needs to see the vet... [read more]

numeral 33 Best Ways To Feed Your Dog Healthy Food
You can dramatically increase your dog's chances of living a long, healthy life by feeding the right food. Cutting right to the chase, the best foods for your Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are... [read more]

Real homemade dog food A Quick Way To Make Homemade Dog Food
Your Petit will love real chicken, turkey, beef, fish, eggs, yogurt, broccoli.... this is not just "people food" and I'll tell you why... [read more]

Dry kibble and canned dog food 5 Best Kibble and Canned Dog Foods
Some are better than others, but I must be honest – I'm not a huge fan of dry or canned dog food. Here are my concerns... [read more]

Information on booster shots for your German Shepherd. Vaccinations and Booster Shots: Needed or Not?
How many vaccinations does your Petit puppy really need? Does your adult dog need yearly booster shots? The vaccination guidelines have changed! Find out what some vets aren't telling you... [read more]

Information on spaying Spaying Your Female Dog: Pros and Cons
Should your female Petit be spayed? Current research says, "The AGE at which you spay can be vitally important to your dog's future health." So what's the best age? [read more]

Information on neutering your male dog. Neutering Your Male Dog: Pros and Cons
Have you been told that you must neuter your male Petit? Current research shows that the issue is not so simple. Pet owners are not being told about some risks associated with neutering male dogs, especially neutering too early... [read more]

Information on choosing the best vet Make Sure Your Vet is the Best!
Is your current veterinarian really the best choice for your dog? Here's how to tell... [read more]

Assisi Loop Assisi Loop Review
Does your Petit suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia, disk disease, colitis? My honest review of a veterinary device you can use at home to reduce inflammation and pain. [read more]

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

Complete list of Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen health problems

The PBGV Club conducted a health survey that included 640 dogs.

The club reported that the most common eye diseases in Petits are persistent pupillary membranes (affecting about 9% of the breed), cataracts (3%), lens luxation (leading to secondary glaucoma), and retinal dysplasia.

A serious inflammatory brain disease called aseptic meningitis or sterile meningitis affects about 4% of the breed.

Epilepsy has become a real concern in the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

The most common orthopedic diseases are luxating patella (loose knees) and hip dysplasia. The Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the hip X-rays of over 700 Petits and found 12% dysplastic. Elbow dysplasia and cruciate ligament rupture can also occur.

Hypothyroidism is fairly common. According to the Michigan State University Thyroid Database, up to 16% of Petits have low thyroid levels.

Heart disease (including septal defects) is being seen more often in the Petit.

Allergies cause itchy skin and can lead to bacterial skin infections (pyoderma). Non-tumorous skin growths are common. Ear infections can occur due to the long pendulous ears and all the hair in the ear canals.

Digestive problems (colitis, pancreatitis, and bloat) are a concern in PBGVs, as are urinary stones.

Preventing health problems

Some health problems are inherited. For example, if your dog inherits from his parents the genes for an eye disease called PRA, he will go blind and there's nothing anyone can do about it.

Dog feeding and health book by Michele Welton But most health problems can be prevented by the ways you raise your dog.

FREE eBOOK! My free online health care program, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy shows you how to raise your Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen in all the right ways that help prevent health problems. Become your dog's health care champion!

Michele Welton with BuffyAbout the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs.

My best-selling books – now available  FREE  on my website


book coverRespect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy is for puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Click here to read for free.
book coverTeach Your Dog 100 English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. Click here to read for free.
book cover11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy helps your dog live a longer, healthier life. Get my honest advice about all 11 Things before you bring home your new puppy, because some mistakes with early health care cannot be undone. Click here to read for free.