Picardy Spaniel vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison

Picardy Spaniel vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed ComparisonBoth Picardy Spaniel and Grand Bleu de Gascogne are originated from France. Picardy Spaniel may grow 11 cm / 4 inches shorter than Grand Bleu de Gascogne. Picardy Spaniel may weigh 17 kg / 37 pounds lesser than Grand Bleu de Gascogne. Both Picardy Spaniel and Grand Bleu de Gascogne has almost same life span. Both Picardy Spaniel and Grand Bleu de Gascogne has almost same litter size. Picardy Spaniel requires Moderate maintenance. But Grand Bleu de Gascogne requires Low maintenance

History

picardy spaniel - historyThe Picardy Spaniel hails from France and has always been used as a gundog, having been crossed with different British hunting dogs.

While this dog breed is related to the Blue Picardy Spaniel, the Picardy is the older of the two breeds. It has always been sought after by the French nobility for its hunting skills and the fact that its weather resistant coat allowed it to hunt in all kinds of weather conditions.

The dog’s popularity waned in the early 20th century. The UKC have recognized the Picardy Spaniel as a Gun Dog and the breed has also been accepted within the FCI as a Pointing dog group.

grand bleu de gascogne - historyThe Grande Bleu de Gascogne is a dog which has descended from a line of French hounds. Originating in France, the dog is actually more common in the United States than in France.

They were bred to hunt, and today they continue to be used for hunting, but they double up as loyal pets too.

It is believed that they descended from dogs such as the St. Hubert Hound and the English Southern Hound. The dog itself has had an influence on the development of several scent-hound breeds.

In the United States, the Grande Bleu de Gascogne was bred in the 18th century already, displaying typical pack hound behavior.The dog isn't recognized by the AKC but he is recognized by other kennel clubs as a scenthound.

Description

picardy spaniel puppy - descriptionThe Picardy Spaniel is larger than other spaniels. It is described as a medium sized dog, standing at 56 – 61cm in height and weighing between 20 and 25 kilograms. The body of the spaniel is squarely built and muscular body. The dog has long floppy ears and the coat which is shortish in areas except for feathering around the legs and belly can vary in colour from red to chestnut brown to sandy and chocolate. The tail is long and feathered.

Temperament:

The Picardy Spaniel is a docile breed of dog and makes a great family pet, loving being playful with the children in the home and getting on well with other dogs. He is gentle but sociable and intelligent too and is easy to train and socialize.

Although he has been used as a hunting dog he can slot into life in the city or the countryside. He can be indoors or outdoors and still be happy, so long as his family members are close by.

He is an active dog though, and won’t be content to be sitting around for too long, loving nothing more than to be chasing a ball or going for a walk with you.

grand bleu de gascogne puppy - descriptionThe Grand Bleu de Gascogne is a large dog, standing at 65–72cm with the female usually being slightly smaller at 62–68cm. The dog weighs about 36 to 42kg.

He has a lean, muscular body with long legs, long ears and with a strong, noble appearance. The coat is short and smooth and the color of the coat is white and black mottled. In some instances, there'll be large patches of black over the back of the dog. The head and neck area can also be black. There are tan markings above each eye.

Temperament:

This is a gentle dog, not aggressive at all, and he just wants to get on with hunting. He is a social dog and loves to be around other familiar dogs and his human family. He essentially wants to live in the country where he can be busy and active with tasks to do.

If you leave him alone for too long, he becomes frustrated and resorts to baying. He can get on well with adults and children in the home, but tends to be aloof around strangers. He is an intelligent animal, and training and socialization will be important for him, especially since he is independent and likes doing things his way.

The training will make him obedient and he'll always know how to behave well around strangers.

Characteristics

picardy spaniel dog - characteristicsThe Picardy Spaniel is a docile dog who forms strong bonds with his human family.

He doesn’t gel easily with strangers though, but socialization and training will at least make him well behaved among strangers.

A well-mannered Picardy Spaniel is a joy in the home, and this gentle dog is guaranteed to make you the most wonderfully loyal and loving pet and companion.

grand bleu de gascogne dog - characteristicsYour beautiful hunting dog is active and social and just loves to be out and about following a scent with other hunting dogs. This is what he absolutely loves to do.

These days, apart from just hunting, he is also kept as a pet. He makes a good family companion because he is a non aggressive, gentle, even-tempered pet. Some of these dogs tend to be more reserved in nature. However your dog turns out, he can be your special friend when you give him all the exercise, nutrition and love that such a loyal dog deserves.

Health Problems

picardy spaniel puppies - health problemsWithout any major health issues, your Picardy can reach 14 years of age and possibly even older. A couple of common dog conditions to be on the watch for include:

Ear Infections:

Your beautiful Picardy Spaniel has floppy ears and this opens up the tendency to suffer with ear infections. The inside of the ears are moist and hot and you as the dog owner can try to keep the inside of the ear clean and dry.

He is a dog that loves water too, and swimming encourages dampness. If you prefer not to work on the inside of the ears, dog groomers or your vet can clean the ears for you. An ear infection can be painful for your pet and it will require veterinary intervention.

Obesity:

These are dogs which can pick up weight quite easily. Dogs which are overweight are more prone to developing cancer, diabetes and heart disease, not to mention joint problems.

Other problems to look out for include cancer, bloat, dental disease and parasites.

grand bleu de gascogne puppies - health problemsAs a dog not known for inherited health problems, the Grande Bleu de Gascogne, with good care, can live to be 12 years of age.

Just like with other dog breeds, there are some conditions to which this dog may also be prone, and hip dysplasia is one.

The average litter size for the Grande Bleu de Gascogne is 4 to 7 puppies. It is important to prevent your puppy growing too quickly because this is precisely what leads to musculoskeletal problems as an adult.

If you're concerned about this, speak to your vet, as you want to do your best to prevent hip problems in the future.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

picardy spaniel dogs - caringYour Picardy has a thick coat which sheds and the coat should be brushed at least twice a week to prevent matting. The ears of the Picardy Spaniel require special attention. Because they are long they will need to be cleaned and kept dry otherwise an ear infection can develop.

At the same time, check your pet over for ticks and fleas, check his eyes, keep the nails trimmed, and check inside his mouth for rotting teeth which can be the source of many health problems if left untreated.

Feeding your Picardy:

If you have a puppy, you will need to provide 4 bowls of food in a 24 hour period. Check on the directions provided on the food packaging to see how much to feed your puppy.

By the time your Picardy is one year of age, he can move over to 2 bowls of food a day. Only the highest quality commercially manufactured food will be good enough for your dog. Food and its quality impacts the health and longevity of your pet.

Apart from dry kibble, try and provide some home-made food, keeping it as simple as possible. Dogs thrive on simple, consistent foods. Chopped up boiled chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots added to the kibble now and then will thrill your pet. Occasionally you can also add in some raw meat.

Avoid feeding your dog things like coffee, chocolates, popcorn, nuts and onions as all these will just upset your dog's digestive system. The secret is to keep things simple and nutritious.

Make sure your pet always has access to fresh, cool water.

grand bleu de gascogne dogs - caringKnown for his hunting skills, the Grande Bleu de Gascogne has high exercise requirements. Although a walk is wonderful for him, it won't be enough. If you have a large garden, which will be ideal for him, throw the ball so he can fetch it. If you go cycling or jogging, he'll thank you for including him in these.

Grooming:

The Grand Bleu’s short coat is conveniently low maintenance too so you aren't going to be spending anything on professional grooming. Give him a brush twice a week to remove loose hairs and to keep his coat silky and shiny.

Their long ears should be checked regularly for a build up of wax and dirt. Dampness can also be a problem if he loves to go swimming. You can buy special ear-cleaning-for-dog products. Never probe deep in the ears as you can damage them. Rather get advice from your vet or professional groomers on how to keep the inside of his ears clean and free from infection.

Diet:

An energetic hunting scentdog like this requires high quality food with some raw meat added in from time to time. He must always have access to fresh, cool water.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Hound dog
Origin:
France
France
Height Male:
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
65 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
Height Female:
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
62 - 68 cm
24 - 27 inches
Weight Male:
20 - 25 kg
44 - 56 pounds
36 - 42 kg
79 - 93 pounds
Weight Female:
20 - 25 kg
44 - 56 pounds
34 - 42 kg
74 - 93 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
4 - 7
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Épagneul Picard
Grand Bleu, GB de G
Colors Available:
chocolate, Chestnut brown, sandy colored markings
White and black mottled, black patches
Coat:
Shortish, dense, slightly wavy
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  2. Greyhound vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  3. Saluki vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  4. Mountain Cur vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  5. Rajapalayam vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  6. Plott Hound vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  7. Petit Gascon Saintongeois vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  8. Otterhound vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  9. Mudhol Hound vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  10. Ibizan Hound vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  11. Rampur Greyhound vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  12. Galgo Espanol vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  13. Hanover Hound vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  14. Majestic Tree Hound vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  15. Polish Hunting Dog vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  16. Grand Bleu de Gascogne vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  17. Grand Bleu de Gascogne vs Francais Blanc et Noir - Breed Comparison
  18. Grand Bleu de Gascogne vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  19. Grand Bleu de Gascogne vs Borzoi - Breed Comparison
  20. Grand Bleu de Gascogne vs Black and Tan Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  21. Grand Bleu de Gascogne vs Black Mouth Cur - Breed Comparison
  22. Grand Bleu de Gascogne vs American English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  23. Grand Bleu de Gascogne vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison
  24. Grand Bleu de Gascogne vs Azawakh - Breed Comparison
  25. Grand Bleu de Gascogne vs Chart Polski - Breed Comparison
  26. Pudelpointer vs Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  27. Picardy Spaniel vs English Springer Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  28. Picardy Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  29. Picardy Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  30. Picardy Spaniel vs English Setter - Breed Comparison
  31. Picardy Spaniel vs French Brittany - Breed Comparison
  32. Picardy Spaniel vs Boykin Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  33. Picardy Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  34. Picardy Spaniel vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed Comparison
  35. Picardy Spaniel vs Barbet - Breed Comparison
  36. Picardy Spaniel vs Ariege Pointer - Breed Comparison
  37. Picardy Spaniel vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  38. Picardy Spaniel vs Blue Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  39. Picardy Spaniel vs Canadian Pointer - Breed Comparison
  40. Picardy Spaniel vs Deutsch Drahthaar - Breed Comparison
  41. Picardy Spaniel vs Clumber Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  42. Picardy Spaniel vs Large Munsterlander - Breed Comparison
  43. Picardy Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  44. Picardy Spaniel vs Cesky Fousek - Breed Comparison
  45. Picardy Spaniel vs Drentse Patrijshond - Breed Comparison
  46. Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  47. Stabyhoun vs Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  48. Styrian Coarse Haired Hound vs Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  49. Vizsla vs Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  50. Tyrolean Hound vs Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds