Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Beaglier - Breed Comparison

The Beaglier beginnings are set in Australia. Before around 30 years, breeders cross-breed the Beagle and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The result actually turned out great – new we have a small sized breed with a wonderful, soft coat, very likeable looks, the calm and gentle dog which is very active despite his relaxed nature. They can be found around the globe nowadays and they are very popular because of their sweet nature.

The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a scenthound dog originating in France where he has always been used as a hunting dog.

The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a descendant of the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. This dog was developed around the 16th century already, with the numbers of the dog being reduced at the time of the World Wars.

They’re quite well known in France, but not in any other parts of the world. The dog is an official member of the UKC, and it was in 1991 that the dog joined their scent hound group.

This small dog breed, called Beaglier and Beagler, has the look of his parents. Sometimes, they look more like the Spaniel, and sometimes they look more like the Beagle. This actually means that they are usually small, but can be, in some cases, even medium sized dog. They are usually tricoloured and in most cases, they have dark brown and cream hairs with white markings. They have longer ears, sometimes with more hairs if they look more like the Spaniel. They have large, dark brown eyes and usually dark nose. This breed is very loving and affectionate. They have a high need for a daily activity and they are the best choice for families with children.

The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a medium to large sized dog which stands at between 52 to 58cm in height at the withers and weighs in the region of 18 to 22kg.

In fact, the only difference between the Petit Bleu de Gascogne and the original Bleu de Gascogne is its size. They’re well proportioned dogs and they have lean, muscular bodies. The head is long and slim, the nose black, the expression gentle and unthreatening.

Most times you’ll find a black patch on each side of the head which extends to the ears so that the ears are essentially black. The patch also extends to around the eyes.

The dense, short coat is a typical trademark feature, with the color of the coat being white mottled with black so that the general appearance is a slate blue color. The dog usually has tan eyebrows over each eye. The tail is long and the ears long and floppy.

Temperament:

Kept essentially as a pet today, the Petit Bleu de Gascogne has kept its hunting instincts and is an excellent scent-dog, being able to follow a scent for miles. It is why you want to ensure that as a pet, you take him on regular walks, every day in fact. He just loves to get out, and given the chance to run and chase a scent.

Apart from his hunting skills, he still makes an excellent pet, being loyal and loving with his human family. He is looked upon as being amicable and well-balanced, getting on well with children as well as dogs in the home.

They’re quite laid-back and friendly, so they don’t make particularly good watchdogs. They are independent and intelligent and will respond well to training and socialization.

Children friendliness

If you decide to bring a Beaglier to your family, it will be the best that you wait for your children to grow up a little bit. They are great to play buddy, but they get carried with the game and they can be very careless during the play. They fit perfectly with the children above the age of 5. They will run, jump, and do whatever your kid is about to do. They are friendly towards children they don’t know but they don’t do well with other animals they don’t know.

Special talents

watchdog

Adaptability

One the main reasons why Beagliers are so much popular lay in their adaptability to any living conditions. They will fit in instantly in a family with children, but they will be happy as well if they live with just one person or even seniors. They can live indoors, houses and apartments without the yard. The Beaglier will enjoy the city parks, dog parks, beach, walking down the crowded streets. This breed is a not a quiet one – they will bark every time they notice something just to let you know. But, they are not aggressive type and they usually bark to communicate with people.

Trainability

Usually, they are trained very easy. They have a stubborn nature, and if you learn how to get over with this temperament, you will be able to train and raise the sweetest dog ever. They should be trained and socialized while they are still puppies. Since they like too much, the best advice is to use treats to teach them everything that they will need to know. But, be careful with the feeding after the treats – Beagliers get easily obese if they are overfed.

The Petit Bleu de Gascogne just loves being outdoors, chasing the scent of something interesting. He is in his element outside as a hunting or tracking dog.

Training and socialization will always be a good idea for these dogs, as once on the scent he may be inclined to ignore your calls and not return easily.

They’re easy-going dogs, loving be around their human family. Provide well for him and you will find that he makes an amicable, loyal and devoted companion.

Ear Diseases

The Beaglier flap ears can be a very great place for the fungi, bacteria and dirt. You will have to clean their ears with an ear cleaning solution and a soft tissue once a week, especially if your pet is playing outside.

Eye diseases

Cherry eye: Starts as redness in the corner of the eye. Happens when the third eyelid gland slips out of its place and show up as a red blob in the corner of the eye. Sometimes, the gland gets back to its original place in a couple of days, but it will be the best if you can take your dog to the vet as soon as you notice any readiness in his eyes.

Glaucoma: Happens because of the high eye pressure. This affects the normal outflow of the eye fluids and can cause blindness if not treated. It is the best to for your beagle to regular eye checks since this condition is not easy to diagnose in the begging.

The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a healthy dog with no unusual health problems being documented. With good care, he can generally live to be 11, 12 or 13 years of age. Nonetheless it is a good idea to be aware of some of the horrible dog illnesses that can strike, even though it is highly unlikely.

Bloat:

Your Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a deep chested dog and this simply means it can develop bloat. A swollen stomach, lethargy and trying to vomit are just some of the signs of this ailment which can become deadly if not attended to. The stomach can twist with bloat and this is when things get serious.

Ear Infections:

Floppy eared dogs are always at risk of ear infections and these can be painful for your pet. You will notice him scratching at his ears or shaking his head and then its time to investigate further for redness or discharge.

Diet tips

If you are not sure about the dog food you should give to your Beaglier considering the living environment and the lifestyle, it is always the best option to listen to the vet’s advice. They are prone to the obesity so you should keep a schedule that won’t be changed much. Feed them every day at the same time, no more than two meals per day once they get older than 6 months.

Points for Good Health

If you want your Beaglier to be happy, make sure you groom him daily. You will need about 5 minutes per day to brush him and keep him out of the tangles. Bathe then once in a month, that will be enough. Clip their nails regularly. Keep their ears cleaned.

They need a daily activity or they will get destructive. Be careful with the feeding since they get obese very quickly.

Games and Exercises

Since they are natural hunters, they will like to play chase. You can take them to the woods for a walk or for a run but make sure you train them to respond to your commands before you take them off the leash. They are very curious and they will easily wander off. They can be taught to play inside the house as well. They love to explore new areas so it will be great if you can take them with you for a holiday.

Grooming:

Luckily the Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a fairly low maintenance dog who will basically require a good brush twice a week to rid him of loose hairs and to keep his coat nice and shiny.

Take the time while brushing him to test for any unusual lumps on his body. Check inside his ears too, because as a floppy eared dog, there can be a build-up of wax, debris and dampness and these can all cause bacteria and an ear infection.

Check his eyes too as well as inside his mouth. He can’t tell you when he’s got terrible tooth ache from a rotting tooth and you need to check for this. Bad teeth can cause all kinds of health issues.

Diet:

There are some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods on the market which have got the vitamins and minerals your pet needs. Some of the lower quality foods have got bad ingredients such as colorants and fillers and these can actually be toxic for your pet.

It’s always wise to add a little bit of home-made food into your pet’s diet and then simple, nutritious foods such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach can do him the world of good. Just chop it up and add it into the dried kibble every other night when you feed your pet. A bit of raw meat occasionally can also be healthy for him.

Always ensure there’s a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.

Ensure your pet has a nice comfortable, dry place to sleep.

Never ever leave your pet alone in a hot car.

Make sure your puppy has his puppy vaccines to avoid some life-threatening diseases.

Have your dog spayed or neutered to avoid unwanted puppies.