Petzlover
The Griffon Bleu de Gascogne dog hails from France and is descended from crosses between the Bleu de Gascogne as well as the Griffon Nivernais. Dog experts tell us that the Grand Griffon Vendeen is also part of the mix.
Raised as working dogs, with his good nose and alertness, he has always been used as a single hunting dog or being used as part of a pack.
It was in 1920 that the first Griffon Bleu de Gascogne breed standard was written in France, and over the decades, the dog hasn’t changed much in looks except that it is slightly taller.
This is a rare breed not much seen outside of France, but breeding attempts have taken it from ‘close to extinction’ to a popular pet today.The Griffon Bleu de Gascogne was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1991.
This is a medium to large sized scenthound. He stands at anything between 48 to 57cms and weighs between 16 and 27kg.
He has a long, wiry type of coat which is usually a mottled white and black, taking on a blue hue look. There are tan marking above the eyes and around the muzzle. The ears of the dog are long and floppy, he has that typical soulful look in his brown eyes and the tail is long with a curve at the point.
The Griffon Bleu de Gascogne is an intelligent dog breed, capable of learning quickly and therefore will do well with training and socialization.
This popular docile dog gets on well with other pets in the home as well as with children. He is alert and energetic but is known to be a loyal and loving dog, being good with children, particularly those he grew up with.
The dog isn't particularly well suited to city life simply because of his high energy. He will require a good deal of exercise, so essentially he needs a home with a fair sized garden. He will want to join you on your walks. Walks provide your pet with stimulation and are good for socializing a dog too.
Your Griffon Bleu de Gascogne is such a popular pet in France and Spain simply because he is so amicable, getting on well with everyone in the home.
He is everything that a pet lover wants – loving, protective, friendly and companionable. They get on well with other pets too and they’re easy to train, becoming super obedient. Add to that the fact that he isn’t a sickly dog and is also fairly low maintenance.
This dog has all it takes to make him the most splendid pet.
As a healthy dog breed, your Griffon Bleu de Gascogne isn't likely to cost you much at the vet. Nonetheless there are some common dog ailments that you need to be aware of.
Some dog owners, when buying a Griffon puppy, want to see health clearance certificates to show that the parents of the puppy are free from the like of certain diseases such as hip dysplasia and von Willebrand's disease.
This is a condition where your dogs thighbone doesn't fit properly into the hip joint. Your puppy can develop this condition from 4 months of age already.
With some dogs you can see the pain, and they may even become lame in one or both back legs. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but environmental factors such as an injury or the wrong diet can contribute towards your pet succumbing to hip dysplasia.
A skin allergy can make your pet totally miserable as they lick and scratch with discomfort, pain and irritation. All the scratching and licking can cause secondary infections and your pet can even lose his hair.
Atopic Dermatitis is when your dog is allergic to things like dust or pollen. Some people look at homeopathic treatments for dogs and are pleased with the results. The thing is you need to get help for your pet as it can cause your pet endless misery.
The Griffon Bleu de Gascogne is a rough, shaggy, fairly long coated dog and is an average shedder. He will therefore require regular brushing to get rid of grass and burrs that cling to the hair, causing it to matt and tangle.It's always a good chance for you to check him over for ticks and fleas too.
He has floppy ears, so these will require cleaning to prevent infections. Check his nails too and trim them as needed. Take him to the vet for this if you're not sure how or you don't have the correct grooming tools.
Just like his human family, a dog needs to have his own sleeping spot – a place which is warm and dry and which he can retreat too. It is a good idea to train your dog to sleep in his own place where there are some warm blankets which are clean and comfortable for him.
You chose to bring a dog into your home, and it is therefore your responsibility to see that he is looked after well.
To keep him healthy, he will require high-quality kibble twice a day. How much your Griffon eats will depend on his age and his activity levels. Follow the feeding directions carefully on the packaging to ensure you keep him in good shape.
Remove the boredom of the same food every day by adding in some raw meat as well as cooked chicken, rice and vegetables as a tasty treat. This will keep him alert, healthy and his coat shiny. Fresh, cool water should be constantly available.