Griffon Bleu de Gascogne
Temperament:
The Griffon bleu de Gascogne is a recognized dog breed from the southwest of France. It is assigned to group 6 by the FCI and is a running and welding dog. When hunting, it is used in packs or as an individual dog. It is very active and loves to hunt. Its prey are mainly wild boar, deer and also stags.
Characteristics
This dog breed is very elegant in appearance. It has a rough coat and very pronounced, drooping floppy ears. The hard, shaggy coat is slightly shorter on the skull than on the rest of the body. The coat is shortest on the ears.
The color of the coat has a characteristic slate blue sheen. This is where the name of this dog breed comes from. "Bleu" is the French word for blue. This effect is created by the complete black and white markings of the Griffon bleu de Gascogne.
A female Griffon bleu de Gascogne reaches a height at the withers of 48 to 55 centimeters. The males are slightly larger. They can reach a shoulder height of up to 57 centimetres. The four-legged friends should not exceed a weight of 29 kilograms. With these dimensions, the Griffon bleu de Gascogne is a medium-sized running dog.
The Griffon bleu de Gascogne is a long-lived companion. Its life expectancy is usually at least 12 years.
These four-legged friends have very keen and well-developed senses. Nervousness, on the other hand, is alien to them. As long as the hunting instinct is not aroused, the Griffon bleu de Gascogne is very calm and affectionate. A Griffon bleu de Gascogne is also a very people-friendly dog. This breed also has a very adventurous character. The dogs are alert and lively.
When hunting, the Griffon bleu de Gascogne is characterized by its tenacity. It is very eager and can make decisions independently. Overall, the Griffon bleu de Gascogne is considered a dog with a very strong will of its own. This characteristic makes him a very lovable four-legged friend.
When it comes to hunting, this breed is not a mindless recipient of orders. The dogs think for themselves and don't just wait for you to give them instructions. The fur nose performs its tasks extremely conscientiously and is considered a very resilient working dog. Your four-legged friend is always highly committed to the task at hand.
As an original pack dog, the Griffon bleu de Gascogne loves the company of other dogs. But the French breed also enjoys being together with us two-legged friends more than anything else. So outings together in the countryside are always a wonderful and unforgettable experience.
Of course, one must never forget that the Griffon bleu de Gascogne is a hunting dog. He has corresponding instincts by nature. Always keep his natural disposition in mind when you are out and about with your darling.
As you may have guessed, this breed is not suitable as a city dog. The Griffon bleu de Gascogne will be unhappy in the apartment in the long run. It prefers to live out its hunting instinct.
Otherwise, he is not very demanding to keep. He likes it best if you have a large house with a garden in the countryside or near a forest.
It doesn't shy away from the weather and is a loyal companion even on cold and wet days. However, the Griffon bleu de Gascogne does not like to be alone. They love the company of their humans. This breed is also very friendly and peaceful towards children.
The breed is considered to be very curious and eager to learn. However, due to its great independence, you should always have the necessary patience when training it. The Griffon bleu de Gascogne is approved for all tests by the Hunting Dog Association and can even be trained as a search dog.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.
Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.
Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.
Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.
Health & Care
Your new darling has the advantage of being very easy to care for. Brushing once a week is completely sufficient. Another advantage is that the Griffon bleu de Gascogne does not suffer from any hereditary diseases typical of the breed.
Suitable accessories
Get all the items you need for hunting training. These could be dummy game or special scents. A lead with a suitable collar or harness, toys and brushes should also be part of your repertoire.
Other accessories that are part of every dog's basic equipment: dog basket or dog mat as a place to retreat, water and food bowl, tick tweezers, claw clippers, mild dog shampoo, dog toothbrush and cream, transport box for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. Ask your vet what belongs in the first aid kit.
Origin & History
The Griffon bleu de Gascogne has its roots in the southwest of France, more precisely in the Pyrenees. It originated from a cross between the long-haired Griffon and the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. Incidentally, the Grand Bleu de Gascogne is very similar to the Petit Bleu de Gascogne. It is part of a long tradition of French hunting dog breeding. The Griffon bleu de Gascogne has been officially recognized by the FCI since 1963.
