Hunting with the
Hunting with the
This passion can also get the best of them and manifest itself as unruliness---a trait of most of the Griffons. They are best worked as a single, brace or in small packs. Their independent nature and poor packing instinct make them difficult to control in large packs. Physically and mentally tough, they are not deterred by thorns, rough terrain or outside distractions - their tenacity is unequalled. They are very clever at figuring out the tricks of the quarry and, coupled with their speed, they are well suited to hunting with or without a gun. It is often said the PBGV is almost too fast for his nose.
As with many other scent hounds, his voice is quite
loud for his size and can be heard for great distances. He uses this voice
a little more freely than other hounds, and one can easily distinguish the
different tones he uses and what they signify. There is no mistaking the
tone of his voice when he is hot on the trail of fresh quarry, or just speaking
of yesterday’s news. His scenting abilities are said to be superior to many
hounds. Some have also been used to flush and retrieve birds.
|
A breeder can make a difference in the dogs he chooses to breed. All my hounds are used for hunting, we keep and breed our best to fine-tune their skills. They must possess a willingness to please. There is no pleasure in hunting if you are always looking for, or yelling at, your hound. Secondly, they must all possess the drive and desire. This can be easily lost through indiscriminate breeding. Lastly, they must all possess their inherent keen scenting ability. Generation after generation, we breed for these qualities to produce a good working hound so it has the potential to become a great one. |
| Never rush and make judgments on a young hound. He should be given at least two to three seasons to perfect his skills. The style he develops after all our careful planning varies from dog to dog but he should never be mistaken for, or likened to, anything other than what he is - - a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen hound. | 
|
"Ever consider what they must think of us? I mean,
here we
come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul-
chicken, pork, half cow. They must think we’re the greatest
hunters on earth!"—Anne Tyler
The sport of rabbit
hunting has been around as long as mankind. In the beginning it was
a necessity to put food on the table whereas nowadays, although many still
enjoy a good rabbit meal, going rabbit hunting
with your hound is done for the simple pleasure of watching a hound
work. The goal is no longer to catch the rabbit, but
to test the skills and abilities of the hound(s).
Developing and putting to use a good rabbit hound has been an artform which has been dabbled in in every country. TheBeagles of Britain, the Drevers of Sweden, the Podengos of Portuguese and the Bassets of France. Almost every country has developed a specific breed of dog for hunting their type of rabbit on their native terrain in their unique environment.
I can’t think
of many things more enjoyable than strolling out with a couple of hounds
just shortly after dawn, with the sunrise sparkling off the lingering dew
and a fog still blanketing the hilltops, or after a
fresh falling of snow precariously clinging to all the tree branches, bent
slightly under the weight, and the air smelling so clean you
don’t think you can breath deep enough. The only tracks you see
are the hounds’ going this way and that,and the only sound you hear is the
snuffling and snorting coming from their noses. You
are serene in the peacefulness yet still waiting with great anticipation
for that first “yip” that splits the silence then explodes
into an exciting chorus of notes. Soon you distinguish what type of
game they have flushed and how close they are on its’ heals.
Standing still you watch and listen to seewhat pattern the rabbit has decided
to weave and how well thehounds are playing their part. If you are
lucky, you glimpse therabbit darting by and you hold your breath waiting
for the hounds to run by along the same route. Around and around they
all go until finally the labyrinth becomes too confusing for the hounds to
follow or the rabbit
goes to ground and ends the chase.
The one that got away....................
|
02/2001 Rex, Nick
The one that didn't! |
Jigsaw and Nixie
|
The Deerhound is also our deer sentinal and our coyote
watchdog. I work the hounds in a area of about 500 acres which is also
home to a huge deer and coyote population. The deer are a nuisance
and some of the Petits will need to be broke from chasing them, while others
never bother picking up on them. The coyotes have chased several of
our hounds and the hounds now have a healthy respect for them. I know
immediately if they have run into a coyote when all my Petits are gathered
closely at my feet when I haven't even called them in!
03/2004 Susan with Reglisse & Nixie
|
|
The last rabbit of the season goes to train the puppies. |
| Training For The Field |
The Tewkesbury Foot Bassets
This is one of the finest large pack of pure Basset
Hounds I've had the pleasure of walking out with. Several times they
have visited Ontario to hunt hare and an exciting run was always had.
There is no comparing these athletes to the Basset
Hounds in the conformation rings.
The Skycastle Pack is a pack of rough-coated Bassets and Petit Basset Griffon
Vendéen in Pennsylvania, U.S.A. We have been down to see them
work and had a wonderful day of hunting the the thick bush of the area.
Jim Scharnberg is the Huntsman and owner of this private pack that meet once
a week during the season.
1990 French Nationals - M.Mounac's pack "La Belle Musique" kennel
BACK TO INDEX
(back to PBGV index)
