All dogs need regular care and grooming and the Petit is no exception. Check the ears for any extra hair growth. This can be pulled out between your finger and thumb, or tweezers. In the summer months check for grass seeds. These can be dangerous and very painful if they travel down the ear canal. If you live in rural areas you should also check for ticks. There is a special tool you can buy to remove them fairly easily.

A slicker brush is ideal for removing dead hair from the coat. Make sure that the hair is removed from between the pads of the feet and that nails are kept short.

Grooming raises alot of eyebrows! A Petit should have a ‘natural’ look and thus too much ‘pulling of the hair’ to give  a sculptured appearance is frowned upon. However a dirty neglected dog is an unhealthy dog – so a regular brush and comb is advised.

More information on care and grooming can be found in specialist books on the breed and the Basset Griffon Vendeen Club website    www.bgvclub.co.uk