Pudelpointer vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison

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.

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.

Small but Full of Attitude

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.

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 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 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.

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

Other health issues to look out for are -

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 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.

Food and Water

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.

Exercise

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.

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.