Is there a new “it” dog breed? That might be the question some are asking now that Buddy Holly, a petit basset griffon Vendéen, took home the top prize at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Tuesday.
It marked the first time a dog representing the hound-type breed, known especially for their rabbit-hunting skills, earned the Best in Show prize at the event, which has been awarding the honor since 1907. Indeed, the petit basset griffon Vendéen is hardly a well-known dog, ranking 154th as the most popular breed in the U.S. (French bulldogs are No. 1). “I never thought a PBGV would do this,” Buddy Holly handler and co-owner Janice Hayes told the Associated Press, referring to the breed by their initials. So, what’s there to know about the new top dog’s breed? Read on:What is the origin of the petit basset griffon Vendéen? As the name implies, the breed comes from France — specifically Vendée, an area in the western part of the country. The American Kennel Club (AKC) says that, along with 27 other types of hounds, PBGV are still bred in France today “for their original purpose: to hunt game by scent.” The AKC goes on to note that in the early 20th Century, Paul Dezamy, who was president of a club dedicated to the breed, established standards for them. But those specifications applied to both the larger version (or “grand”) and smaller (or “petit”) ones. By the 1950s, “the PGBV received its own standard and was regarded as a separate breed,” the AKC says. …
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source