Grand Griffon Vendeen vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is a French scenthound that has changed over many centuries. Today the area in France where they originate from, has contributed to the dog's looks.

The rocky and thorny region of Vendeé required a hardy breed of dog. Also, hunters wanted a slower hound that they could keep up with and the idea was to shorten the legs of the dog.

By the end of the 19th century, the Basset Griffon Vendéen was developed. By the 1950s, the Grand was considered a separate breed.Today the dog is a long-backed and short-legged hunting dog.

The french bulldog originated in England and are bred expecting small size bulldogs. Many lace workers in Nottingham had little bulldogs and when they emigrated to france, they brought their dogs with them. Soon they become popular in France and Europe. Then Americans showed interest in them.In 1896 frenchie was shown in United states in a show and after that they got their nickname "Frechie".

Kept today essentially as a domestic pet, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is a strongly built dog, a rough-coated scent hound of medium size standing at roughly 39 to 45cm in height and weighing 18 to 20kg.

The coat is medium length, shaggy and wiry. It is essentially white with orange markings. Sometimes he can be tri-colored, having a combination of orange, black or tan markings. The double coat is actually regarded as his defining characteristic, being shaggy with a wiry texture that sets him apart from other hound breeds.

His legs are straight, and he is longer than he is tall. He is a deep chested dog with long ears and a long tail. He is also noted for his mustache and beard with long eyebrows.

Temperament:

Your Grand Basset is a courageous, happy, confident dog. He is active and has great stamina. As a social, pack dog, he likes plenty of time spent with his owner, failing which the owner should invest in another dog too so as to be part of a pack. He will get on great with children and he is also a pet-friendly breed who will get on well with cats too. He is sharp and alert and responds well to training and socialization.

Frenchie is a good companion dog and has a powerful muscular body. They like to play but also likes to relax for more time. They are intelligent and training them is very easy until they think it a game. They are free thinkers and are not very good in obedience. Frenchies should not be leaved alone for a long time.They love spending time with humans and generally they get along with everyone. They are excellent watchdogs and alerts when strangers come.

French bulldog suits very well in apartments. But they should be made to walk for fifteen minutes daily to avoid over weight. They should not be kept outside on hot days. Frenchies will be very happy if you stay in home. They will follow you wherever you walk inside the house. They love people so much, such that people who own a Frenchie can not imagine life without them.

This long-backed, short legged hunting dog has a happy, confident personality. While he was used originally for hunting, he is now commonly kept as a companion.

He is energetic and independent and will require you having him join you for walks and a ball game too.

Non-aggressive and adaptable he can live in the city or in the countryside so long as he receives plenty of attention and love – then he'll be a splendid pet.

Children friendliness

They are good children friendly dogs as they like to play with them. It will be good if they are supervised by an adult.

Special talents

They are polite with everyone including other pets. They love to play games and chase balls but don't need much exercise.

Adaptability

Frenchies adapts well for apartment living but they don't like being alone for long time. They will not tolerate both hot and cold weather and so air conditioning will be better.

Learning ability

French Bulldogs are easy to train and are very much interested in playing.

There are some Basset Griffon Vendéens that have reached 17 years of age. This is excellent for these dogs, and lifestyle, nutrition and exercise can all play a part in the longevity of any dog. While he is a pretty robust canine, you'll want to be aware of some of the diseases which may require veterinary intervention.

Cancer:

Cancer is a major cause of death in elderly dogs, but if caught early, the dog can be cured. These cancers can be malignant lymphoma, skin cancer, bone cancer or soft tissue sarcomas. You'll notice a lump on your pet or a wound that won't heal. When you notice your dog not feeling well, get him to the vet.

Cardiac Problems:

Common forms of heart disease in dogs is valvular disease, heart-worm disease and myocardial disease. The signs of heart disease in your pet will depend on the severity of the disease and type.

As heart disease moves on to congestive heart failure, you'll notice symptoms such as difficulty with breathing, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. You need to get your dog immediately to the vet.

Dermatitis:

Dog allergies can be caused by pollen, medications, food or insects. Your pet will be scratching, he'll have watery eyes and inflamed skin. This inflammatory condition can cause a lot of agony for your pet, driving him mad with the itch and pain. Relieve his discomfort by getting him to the vet as soon as possible.

Frenchies can suffer from Von Willebrand's disease(VWD)and thyroid condition. Due to their flat faces they suffer from elongated soft palate or cleft palate. Because of their compacted air way they have inability to effectively regulate temperature.

Hair fall

Any indication that the hair is unhealthy, such as brittleness and hair loss, should be addressed immediately to avoid any further damage. Hair loss becomes a problem when it becomes excessive, possibly due to disease or a particular condition.

Diet:

If you are going to be feeding your Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen kibble, there are manufacturers who bring out excellent foods which are breed-specific formulas for age, size and energy levels of dogs.

Feeding a dog is an individual choice, but good food can increase his longevity. A bit of raw meat mixed into his kibble, or some cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken will be excellent for him and can add some tasty variety to his diet.

Fresh, cool water must always be available at all times.

Grooming:

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen’s coat is double and the rough, harsh coat will need brushing twice a week and stripped once a year.

Feeding the puppy

As with all dogs, proper nutrition makes your French Bulldog a happy, healthy pup. He should have his own food and water bowls. Don't feed your French bulldog puppy, uncooked meat or food that may have gone bad. Young puppies need relatively large amount of food in order to meat the demands of their rapidly growing bodies and their hectic lifestyle. Feed your puppy specially designed chewing treats from reputable pet stores.

Feeding the adult

According to the French BullDog Club of America, there are no specific guidelines for feeding them. Options for feeding your French Bulldog are commercial dry food, canned food, raw food and homemade meals. Calories required for frenchie varies depending on size, age, activity level and metabolism.

Points for Good Health

1. Dry kibble is good for dog's teeth.
2. Vaccinations should be made on right time.
3. Choke collar must be used for walking and training.

Games and Exercises

Frenchies can be made to walk or run for a particular distances. Heavy exercises should not be given as they face respiratory problems. Avoid exercising them in hot weather as they have chances of getting heatstroke.