Beabull 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 Beabull is known as a designer breed rather than a purebred. The Beabull is a cross between a Beagle and an English Bulldog. This breed is a loving dog, playful and physically strong. They are independent and can be stubborn. Their origins are not well documented, but it is thought they were developed about 20 years ago. Although not recognized by the American Kennel Club because they are not purebred dogs

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 first generations of the Beabulls are a 50-50 mix, but most of the breed today are multigenerational dogs. This means a Beabull is mixed with another Beabull to try to create a purebred over time. Most of the Beabulls are a mixture and are very unpredictable in their looks and characteristics, depending upon which of the original parent breeds they favor most. Many will retain the wrinkles, short legs, underbite and short tail of the Bulldog. Others will have the long droopy ears and long muzzles of the Beagle. Most will have coarse, short coats and shed quite a bit. They are medium to large depending upon which size Beagle is used in the crossing.

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.

1.Children friendliness – Very good with children. 2.Special talents intelligent and many with a great sense of smell. 3.Adaptability – They can live anywhere in an apartment or a home with a yard. 4.Learning ability – Very intelligent but with a stubborn, independent streak that is inherent in both parental breeds.

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.

Although most Beabulls will not have inherited health problems there are some issues they are all prone to: • Bloat – can be fatal if not addressed immediately – inverted digestive organs. • Hip Dysplasia – can cause lameness. • Canine Disk Disease – can cause paralysis, loss of legs. • Hypothyroidism • Ear infections – keep them clean. • Patellar Luxation – floating kneecaps – can cause lameness. • Reverse Sneezing

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.

1.Feeding the puppy – Don’t overfeed due to tendency for obesity and don’t feed right before or after exercise due to threat of bloat. Feed 3-4 meals per day a total of 1.5 cups in a day. 2.Feeding the adult - Don’t overfeed due to tendency for obesity and don’t feed right before or after exercise due to threat of bloat. Feed 3-4 meals per day a total of 3 cups in a day. 3.Points for Good Health no hereditary issues 4. Games and Exercises – both the laziness of the Bulldog and the scent driven energy or the Beagle can be seen in the Beabull. They have short bursts of the Beagles hyperness. Enjoy playing fetch and participating in agility. They need a daily 45-60 minute walk.