Galgo Espanol vs Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison

Galgo Espanol vs Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen - Breed ComparisonGrand Basset Griffon Vendeen is originated from France but Galgo Espanol is originated from Spain. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen may grow 22 cm / 8 inches shorter than Galgo Espanol. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen may weigh 9 kg / 19 pounds lesser than Galgo Espanol. Both Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen and Galgo Espanol has almost same life span. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen may have more litter size than Galgo Espanol. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen requires Moderate Maintenance. But Galgo Espanol requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Hound dog
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France
Spain
Height Male:
39 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
66 - 67 cm
25 - 27 inches
Height Female:
39 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
65 - 66 cm
25 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 20 kg
39 - 45 pounds
27 - 29 kg
59 - 64 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 20 kg
39 - 45 pounds
23 - 25 kg
50 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
7 - 12
6 - 8
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
GBGV, Grand Basset
Spanish Galgo, Galgo, Spanish Greyhound
Colors Available:
Yellow, orange, black – tricolor and grizzle.
(brindle),
Coat:
Medium length, shaggy, wiry
Smooth or Rough
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Gentle, Intelligent, Quiet, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

grand basset griffon vendeenThe Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is a French scenthound that has changed over many centuries and today the area in France where they originate from, has contributed to the dog's looks.

The rocky and thorny region of Vendeé required a hardy breed of dog. Also, hunters wanted a slower hound that they could keep up with, and the idea was to shorten the legs of the dog.

By the end of the 19th century, the Basset Griffon Vendéen was developed. By the 1950s, the Grand was considered a separate breed. and Petit was not banned until 1977.Today the dog is a long-backed and short-legged hunting dog.

galgo espanolGalgo Espanol means Spanish with galgo meaning greyhound, thus a Spanish Greyhound. This breed is ancient with their roots in perhaps the English greyhound and others in the sighthound family. They are much like the greyhound in that they are laid back, calm, gentle and quiet, unless they are competing on the local track. Like the greyhound they are shy and reserved; great with kids and other pets. And of course, they love cats.

There are dogs like the Galgo referred to in writing by the ancient Celts and Romans. One author, Arrian, had his own Galgos and used them when hunting. The breed flourished in the second half of the Middle Ages in Spain and well into the 8th century. When the Christians regained control of the Iberian Peninsula, they did away with the hunter old forms of hunting and introduced a new form with hounds that made the Galgo the pride of the aristocracy and not in the homes of the ordinary people. Arrian claim to two types of dogs, the smooth and rough coated.

Muslim and Chrisitan Kings kept Galgo Espanols. In all probability the Saluke and Galgo were crossbred at this time. It was illegal to kill a Galgo and in 1081, the Mayor of Cartuario of Slonza left his Galgo in his will to Diego Citid. Dogs seen in painting from the 12th century look just like dogs of this breed who can be seen today.

It is believed that when the Galgo was developed, it was in the midsection of Spain or the Castillian plains. They ruled the interior of the country while the bloodhound ruled the exterior. The 18th and 19th centuries saw very little change in the breed. However, in the 20th century, there was cross breeding with the English greyhound that produced a leaner, faster and powerful track racing dog. The results was a faster dog without the long distance stamina of the pure Galgo. For this reason, the breeders returned to breeding the pure professional racing dog.

The sport of racing the Galgo earns Spain around sixty million dollars per year. They train anywhere from three to four thousand of the Galgos every year for Open Field Coursing Championships. Still, there no longer is any cross breeding between the Greyhound and the Galgo. The current coursing programs feature a hare that is much hardier and difficult to pursue so the stamina of the old Galgo Espanol is desired. In Castile, where these games are played, the landscape is open with large fields that requires that the hare travels far greater distances. This means that the stamina of the original Galgo Espanol is needed.

When not racing the Galgos have become great house pets. They have a reputation as gentle dogs that are docile and quiet, with good health. This reputation is well earned. They are also successful show dogs in Europe much more than the states. This is perhaps because they are really rare outside of Spain. They are not recognized by the United Kennel Club nor the American Kennel Club.

Description

grand basset griffon vendeen puppy - descriptionKept today essentially as a domestic pet, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is a strongly built dog, a rough-coated scent hound of medium size standing at roughly 39 to 45cm in height and weighing 18 to 20kg.

The coat is medium length, shaggy and wiry. It is essentially white with orange markings. Sometimes he can be tri-colored, having a combination orange, black or tan markings. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen’s coat is double with a thick, weather-resistant undercoat and a rough, harsh topcoat. In addition to regular brushing, this breed’s coat needs to be hand-stripped once a year.

His legs are straight, and he is longer than he is tall. He is a deep chested dog with long ears and a long tail. He is also noted for his mustache and beard with long eyebrows.

Temperament:

Your Grand Basset is a courageous, happy, confident dog, active and having great stamina.

He is a social, pack dog so he will be wanting plenty of time spent with his owner, failing which the owner should invest in another dog too. He will get on great with children and he is also a pet-friendly breed who will get on well with cats too. He is sharp and alert and responds well to training and socialization.

galgo espanol puppy - descriptionObviously the Galgos looks a lot like the Greyhound, but in some very important ways they are very different. The rear of the Galgos is higher than the front and their muscle are flatter. They are built for endurance while the Greyhound is built for speed. The Galgos is a lighter, smaller dog with larger ear on a long head. They have long tails and their chests are not deep like the Greyhounds.

The Galgo comes in smooth and rough coats and a variety of colors. The rough coat protects dogs that are in climates colder than the ones in Spain and also keeps them from injuring their skin while running. The colors include brindle, black, golden, toasted, cinnamon, yellow, red, white, white with patches, or any color as long as they have a white forehead and muzzle.

Characteristics

grand basset griffon vendeen dog - characteristicsThis long-backed, short legged hunting dog has a happy, confident personality.

While he was used originally for hunting, he is now commonly kept as a companion dog. He is energetic and independent and will require you having him join you for walks and a ball game too.

Non-aggressive and adaptable he can live in the city or in the countryside so long as he receives plenty of attention and love – then he'll be a splendid pet.

Children friendliness

galgo espanol dog - characteristicsThey are good with children, but you need to be careful no one gets knocked down or hurt.

Special talents

Stamina for running and a good record in lure coursing.

Adaptability

Though they can be couch potatoes like greyhounds they are better off with a fenced yard and not an apartment.

Learning ability

They are smart and can learn anything you want to teach them if you can keep their attention.

Health Problems

grand basset griffon vendeen puppies - health problemsThere are some Basset Griffon Vendéens that have reached 17 years of age. This is excellent for these dogs and lifestyle, nutrition and exercise can all play a part in the longevity of any dog.

Generally they live to be 10 to 14 years of age. While he is a pretty robust dog, you'll want to be aware of some of the diseases which may require veterinary intervention -

Cancer:

Cancer is a major cause of death in elderly dogs, but if caught early, the dog can be cured. These cancers can be malignant lymphoma, skin cancer, bone cancer or soft tissue sarcomas. You'll notice a lump on your pet or a wound they won't heal. When you notice your dog not feeling well, get him to the vet.

Cardiac Problems:

A common form of heart disease in dogs is valvular disease, heartworm disease and myocardial disease. The signs of heart disease in your pet will depend on the severity of the disease and type. As heart disease moves on to congestive heart failure, you'll notice symptoms such as difficulty with breathing, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. You need to get your dog immediately to the vet.

Dermatitis:

Dog allergies can be caused by pollen, medications, food or insects. You'll notice your pet scratching, he'll have watery eyes and inflamed skin. This inflammatory condition can cause a lot of agony for your pet, driving him mad with pain and the desire to scratch and lick. Relieve his discomfort by getting him to the vet as soon as possible.

galgo espanol puppies - health problemsBeing a large dog, the Galgo Espanol would normally face a high probability of hip dysplasia. Fortunately for the breed this is not true. In this respect their lightness of weight, their history as a working dog and their anatomy have protected them from it. They are however susceptible to other issues.

Osteosarcoma

Bone Cancer

Malignant tumors that quickly spread throughout the body. Life threatening.

Anesthetics

As a sighthound, the Galgo Espanol is prone to have issues anytime with anesthetics. They don’t metabolize the anesthetics like other dogs do. They will take longer to revive, and they are susceptible to hypothermia while under an aesthetic.

Muscle/Toe Injuries

While running, they are prone to injuries

Caring The Pet

Diet:

grand basset griffon vendeen dogs - caringIf you are going to be feeding your Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen kibble, there are excellent brands that bring out breed-specific formulas for age, size and energy levels of dogs.

Feeding a dog is an individual choice, but good food can increase his longevity. A bit of raw meat mixed into his kibble, or some cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken will be excellent for him. This can be a tasty variety to his diet.

Fresh, cool water must always be available at all times.

Grooming:

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen’s coat is double and the rough, harsh coat will need brushing twice a week and stripped once a year.

Feeding the puppy

galgo espanol dogs - caringFeed your puppy a high quality dry food made for large breed dogs. Feed 3 meals a day 2.5 to 3 cups total for the day.

Feeding the adult

Feed your adult Galgo a high quality dry food made for large breed dogs. Feed 2 meals a day but don’t overfeed Give 4-5 cups total for the day.

Points for Good Health

They have amazing stamina and good speed. Generally good health as a breed.

Games and Exercises

He can be a couch potato indoors and runs forever outdoors. He does need daily exercise and bedrest both. The best would be if you could sprint him every day or have a small yard he can play in. They excel of course at agility and lure coursing. Keep them on a leash because if they run you will never catch them. The American Sighthound Field Association presents lure coursing events that they are eligible for. They have exceled at show competition in Europe but are not well known in the U.S.

Comparison with other breeds

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  9. Galgo Espanol vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Galgo Espanol vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
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  17. Galgo Espanol vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
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  26. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison