Pudelpointer vs Petit Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison

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.

The Pudelpointer is cross between the Poodle and the English Pointer. The first Pudelpointer was bred in 1881 by Baron Von Zedlitz in Germany.

The idea was to bring about a gun dog highly skilled in tracking and retrieving. The Pudelpointer was introduced to North America in 1956, and in 1977 the Pudelpointer Club of North America was established.

Because breeders have avoided recognition by the American Kennel Club, the Pudelpointer never became a well known breed in the United States.

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.

The Pudelpointer stands at between 55 and 68cm in height and weighs between 20 and 30kg. He is a medium sized dog with a weather resistant, double-layered coat. The coat doesn’t shed much and is usually a brown, chestnut, liver or black color.

The coat is usually dense, harsh and wiry. They have floppy ears with quite a unique feature - the mustache on the muzzle. The tail is docked, with about 30% being removed, giving the dog an attractive, distinctive look.

Temperament:

Full of energy, the lively Pudelpointer will love to find himself in a family where they are active, outdoorsy types. He loves water too, and when out on a hike, if there’s water around, he’ll be the first to jump right in.

He’s an intelligent dog too, eager to please and ready to learn. He can easily be trained and socialized. He is loyal, calm and loving and will get on well around children and other animals in the home. He is also protective and makes a good watchdog.

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.

The Pudelpointer may well be a gun dog but when it comes to his human family he is a social, loving companion.

He is intelligent too and can be easily trained. When at home with his human family, he is calm and content. He will however need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. In exchange for your love and care, he will be a good watchdog, protector, pet and friend.

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.

The Pudelpointer is active and healthy and can live up to 14 years and maybe even longer with good care.

Owners will do well to know about a couple of the common dog illnesses that can strike at any time -

Bloat:

Some dogs are more at risk for bloating. Larger dogs with deep chests are at greater risk. To help with preventing this deadly ailment, feed your dog a couple of smaller meals a day instead of one big meal that he gobbles up quickly.

Bloat is a medical condition which comes about with a rapid accumulation of gas in the stomach. Canine bloat or gastric dilatation and volvulus is a killer disease. The accumulation of gas can cause the stomach to twist and the dog can go into shock.

Your dog will be trying to vomit, he’ll be panting and pacing, drooling with a hard, swollen stomach.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a common illness or condition seen in many dogs, young and old, large and small.It’s a disease which can lead to pain, arthritis and lameness.

Ear Infections:

The Pudelpointer has floppy ears and loves swimming. The floppy ears are at risk for developing ear infections. Check inside the ears that they aren’t red or have a discharge. Your dog will be scratching his ears a lot.

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.

Brush your PudelPointer twice a week to get rid of loose hairs.

Grooming can be an awesome bonding experience for you and your dog. While you’re brushing him, check him over for any unusual lumps.

Trim the nails if they don’t wear down naturally themselves.

Check inside the mouth for rotting teeth which can be a source of pain and lot of diseases in the body.

Exercise is very important and can come in the form of a walk every day or hikes, swimming as well as ball- and rope games and hide-and-seek.

Provide your dog with a nice warm, comfortable place to sleep.

Your PudelPointer can get to 14 years of age with good food. While you do get some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods, you want to be sure your pet gets some nutritious home-made food too.

Make sure that the kibble is the high quality ones with lots of vitamins and minerals. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet – plain and simply just like dogs love it. Chop it up and add it into the dry kibble a couple of times a week.

Some raw meat added in from time to time will help his skin and coat remain healthy. Never leave him without a constant source of fresh, cool water.