Belgian Griffon is originated from Belgium but Bull Arab is originated from Australia. Belgian Griffon may grow 49 cm / 19 inches shorter than Bull Arab. Belgian Griffon may weigh 44 kg / 97 pounds lesser than Bull Arab. Both Belgian Griffon and Bull Arab has same life span. Belgian Griffon may have less litter size than Bull Arab. Belgian Griffon requires Moderate Maintenance. But Bull Arab requires Low Maintenance
The Belgian Griffon isn’t your most attractive dog, but maybe its his quirky, gremlin looks that makes him such an adored pet for many. There are different varieties of Griffon, and the Belgian- and Brussels Griffon are one and the same. All small Belgian dogs have the same breed standards, with the Belgian having a rough coat The dog hails from Belguim and its ancestors were no doubt a mix of the Belgian street dog, the Stable Griffon and the Affenpinscher.
Later on in the 1800s, this combination was then crossed with the Pug, giving the dog the brachycephalic or flat faced look.
Unfortunately no written records were kept about the precise origin of this breed, but there is also the idea that the King Charles- and English Toy Spaniel were also involved in its development. These small dogs were bred to catch rats in the barns of European estates.
In the 1970’s feral pig hunters wanted a dog that could be aggressive in finding and capturing the pigs. The hunters crossed the German Shorthaired Pointer, the Bull Terrier and the Greyhound to develop the Bull Arab. It is believed that the hybrid is at least 50% Bull Terrier. It is also possible that there is some Doberman, Mastiff, Great Dane and/or Pointer in the hybrid as well.
The job of the Bull Arab is to hunt out the feral pigs, grab one by the ear and hold it until the hunter arrives. They have a strong sense of smell and that is how they find the pigs.
Mike Hodgens, an Australian, developed the hybrid and added some Bloodhound as well to get that ability to smell out the pigs at great distances. They are also capable of catching buffalo and cattle. Some Australians use the breed in cattle or buffalo ranching. They are registered with the DRA or Dog Registry of America, Inc.
There are different variations of this dog to give it its distinctive look and size. This quaint looking little Griffon canine comes with two different coat types - soft or wiry. With the Belgian Griffon, his wiry coat of red, tan or black will need to be brushed at least twice a week. Shedding with this dog is seasonal.
He has a compact, sturdy little body, and he trots around with attitude. With his sharp pointed ears and whiskers, he has been given the nickname ‘bearded dog’. His dark black eyes are alert. He is self-confident, intelligent and curious breed, a great family pet and good with children if he has grown up with them in the home. He is good with other pets. The fact that this is a small breed and that he doesn’t have excessive energy levels, means he is adaptable to city- and country living.
Mike Hodgens succeeded in developing a powerful, well built dog. The Bull Arab has a powerful head and muzzle. He has moderate length drop ears and bright eyes that match the color of his coat. His chest is neither shallow nor deep and his back is straight and strong. Their tails are tapered and pointed yet the base is thick. They are a double-coated dog. They can be white with black, tan or liver, flecked or bicolor.
The Belgian Griffon is an affectionate pet and often establishes a strong bond with one member of the family. You’ll have your Griffon with you for about 15 years so make sure he is trained and a pleasure to have around.They are difficult to train, being somewhat stubborn so they are going to require patience. They’re sensitive too, and they won’t respond well to aggressive treatment.
They’re much more indoor dogs than outdoor dogs because they’re also vulnerable to heat stroke. They just want to come indoors and be with their human family, and when you do that for them, they’ll become a wonderful friend and companion to you.
The Bull Arab is intelligent, calm and loyal. Like Pit Bulls in the U.S., the Bull Arab has a reputation for aggression against both people and animals. There is no data to support these claims. They have been used as therapy dogs and companion animals very successfully. They are great with kids and very affectionate. The breed is cited as being used for companion and therapy animals
When you get your Griffon from a reputable breeder, you always have a better chance that he’ll be healthy. As it is, the Belgian Griffon has few hereditary health issues. However his dark eyes will have some genetic problems to contend with and he could suffer with progressive retinal atrophy. This is an illness which can lead to blindness
Syringomyelia – this is a neurological condition – an abnormality of the spinal cord – a disease which occurs more frequently in small breeds. It can cause your pet to endure a lot of pain.
Birthing Issues - these little dogs often have problems with giving birth, and a vet often has to intervene and perform a cesarean.
The Belgian Griffon will do well if you invest in high quality foods. You can make your own, but if you’re concerned about his health, it would be best to check what ingredients should go into his home-prepared meals to ensure he gets all the vitamins and minerals he needs.
If you want to go with commercially manufactured dog foods, check with your vet about wet- and dry foods. Your vet will help with choosing a food appropriate to his size and age. Always ensure that there is clean, fresh water available to your pet.
Even though he is a small breed, he is fairly active and he will need his fair share of exercise like ball games and walks. Training and socialization are a must for him. You’ll notice that training isn’t particularly easy with this breed, and first time dog owners might not have the patience with him.
This is a working dog so he needs to eat the right kind of quality dog food. In order to avoid bloat do not feed large meals but rather feed one to two cups of food two to three times a day.
Hunting Accidents – this is the biggest reasons for health problems with the Bull Arab.
These are working dogs that are inactive when not working. They need a lot of exercise if they are not used for hunting. Agility, Tracking and hunting games, and field trials.