Jindo vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison

Hailing from Korea, the Jindo dog's name is actually taken from the island Jindo. The dogs lived on the island for thousands of years, developing into a natural breed with good hunting skills.

They are also known as Jin Dog, Jindo-kae or Jindo-kyon. The exact origins of the Korean Jindo are unknown and it is believed to have been developed from different Mongolian breeds.

They were brought to the United States and been entered into the American Kennel Club.

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.

The Jindo is a medium sized spitz-type dog breed which is well-proportioned with erect ears and a long tail which is held over the dog's back.

He stands at roughly 45 – 65cm and they weigh anything between 11 to 23kg. The coat of the dog is medium length and available in a number of colors – yellow, tan, red, white, brindle, black or bi-color such as black and tan.

When you look at the Jindo you get the impression of bright alertness and intelligence. He makes a great watchdog, and with his bright, alert eyes and upright ears, he just looks like he is on guard.

Temperament:

The Jindo has always been a hunting dog so he has learned to be bold, tenacious and alert. He is also brave, courageous, loving and loyal to his master, but you need to know that he is a dominant dog who will get on well with an owner who is fair, strong, patient, kind and firm.

These dogs are strong willed, independent and dominant as well as being intelligent. He will require socialization and training from an early age. Be fair, firm and consistent with your instructions which he will obey once he has been trained. With training he gets on well with children in the home but he is inclined to have some difficulty with accepting other dogs into the family.

As with any dog breed, the temperament of the Jindo will vary according to the environment he lives in and the type of owners he has. The typical Jindo is an affectionate dog with his human family, being a little bit reserved around strangers.

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.

Temperament:

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.

The Jindo makes an awesome pet for owners who enjoy an active lifestyle. A happy, contented Jindo becomes a devoted, loyal pet who wants to guard and protect his owner from strangers, for whom he is wary and reserved.

He is an intelligent pet too, being easy to train and socialize and while independent, he loves to spend time with his human family and is an all-round excellent pet.

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.

The Korean Jindo dog is looked upon as a generally healthy dog breed with no serious genetic problems to talk about. Look out for eye diseases and dental decay as well as hypothyroidism, a common disease in dogs where you notice deterioration with the coat – thinning, dry and dull.

The dog’s skin also becomes flaky and you’ll notice that your once energetic pet is now gaining weight and is lethargic. Get him to the vet. Hypothyroidism can be treated simply by your vet to get your pet healthy once again.

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.

Hip Dysplasia:

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.

Skin Allergies:

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.

Grooming:

The Jindo has a double coat and this sheds heavily about twice a year, so certainly during these shedding periods you will need to brush his coat twice a week to keep it free from loose hair.

Never just assume that your dog is healthy and happy. When you brush him, check him over for ticks and fleas, check him for any unusual lumps, make sure his nose is wet and that his eyes are bright. Look at the condition of his fur, check his teeth and inside his ears – there are lots of tell-tale signs that can indicate that all is not well with your pet and then you need to get him to the vet.

Diet:

As a medium-sized breed, if you feed your dog commercially manufactured food, he will require a high quality food that has been formulated for a dog of his size and his activity levels. Mix some home-made cooked chicken, brown rice or pasta as well as vegetables into his kibble and try to include some raw meat in occasionally too. He needs to always have access to fresh, clean water.

Exercise:

The Jindo is a high energy dog, and with his bright face you can tell that he is always ready for action. Long ago he was bred to perform hunting and retrieving type jobs, and with their stamina, they require having a busy day.

They certainly require a significant amount of exercise and mental stimulation, so you will need to include him in your daily walks and give him exciting ball games.

Grooming:

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.

Sleeping Area:

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.

Diet:

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.