Who's in your family tree, little dog?

I worked at a dog show in a nearby town weekend before last.  It was in a livestock exposition building (i.e. a metal building with packed dirt floor and NO HEAT).  Lucky me, I got to work one of the rings with some of the Hound Group dogs, but not dachshunds.   I think one of the things I really like about the shows is getting to see all the different breeds and learning about them; it is very interesting!

One of the breeds in my ring was the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen - just call it a PBGV for simplicity!  Now, doesn't this dog look like a wirehaired dachshund?

Photo taken from akc.org and is used for informational purposes only



That's what I thought when I first saw them.  I remembered that the dachshund is attributed to being descended from the basset hound, being bred to develop shorter legs and a more compact body to enable badger hunting.  But, hmmm, could there be a link to this little fellow and the dachshund?  

 

After doing some research, the answer is probalby not.  The AKC breed description  Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen describes the PBGV as being descended from French hounds, being used to hunt rabbits and hares.    Under the "Right Breed for You" section it describes them as independent and eager to please (sounds like a doxie) and needing activity or he will revert to his own entertainment (sound familiar?).  For an idea of their size, they stand 13-15 inches at the shoulder.

 

Although there is probably no connection in the family tree, I still see a resemblance in this dog to my long-haired dachshunds.  And, I just love a good-looking hound dog, no matter what the breed!