Silken Windhound vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison

Silken Windhound vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed ComparisonSilken Windhound is originated from United States but Griffon Bleu de Gascogne is originated from France. Both Silken Windhound and Griffon Bleu de Gascogne are having almost same height. Silken Windhound may weigh 7 kg / 15 pounds lesser than Griffon Bleu de Gascogne. Silken Windhound may live 6 years more than Griffon Bleu de Gascogne. Silken Windhound may have less litter size than Griffon Bleu de Gascogne. Silken Windhound requires Low maintenance. But Griffon Bleu de Gascogne requires Moderate maintenance

History

silken windhound - historyThe Silken Windhound is a breed intentionally developed by Borzoi and Deerhound breeder, Francie Stull. Although the first litter of the Windhoud was not born until 1995, their development began in discussions ten years later. Bred as a cross between her beloved Deerhounds and Borzoi, the first Society for the breed formed in 1999 and they were recognized by the UKC in 2011.

Ms. Stull wanted another breed for her kennel and decided on a smaller sighthound than her Borzoi. She wanted a long coat, a good temperament, good health, and possessing the same athletic abilities, grace and poise as the sighthounds that are larger. She developed the Silken Windhound based on this vision.

With this in mind, the kennel purchased the pick of a litter from the American and English Borzoi Champion bitch, Stillwater Virginia Reel. This puppy was eventually bred to Stillwater White Lightning and produced puppy that was a blue brindle. This dog, Stillwater Kristull Peacock, had the coat, personality and structure that Ms. Stull wanted for the new breed. She was bred to Deerhound Windsprite Autumnal Xenon to form the foundation for the Silken Windhound.

Over time champion Borzoi were bred with multi-generation Whippet based dogs and small Whippet from coursing and show lines. Finally, all of this work was rewarded with an incredible little sighthound to fit in the line of sighthounds between the giant and large breeds and the smaller whippet type breeds.

The Silken Windhound lives today in 24 different countries. They take their place in hound competitions all over the world in obedience, lure coursing, and racing. They are a Limited Stake Breed in the ASFA and competed with 40 other dogs in 2010. Then they were accepted by the NOFCA or National Open Filed Coursing Association, also in 2010. Finally, in 2011 they were fully accepted by the UKC.

The Silken Windhound is recognized in addition to the UKC, by the Dog Registry of America, the Rarities Inc., the American Canine Association, the Kennel Club of Slovenia, the American Pet Registry, Inc., the International Silken Windhound Society and the International, All-Breed Canine Association of America.

griffon bleu de gascogne - historyThe 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.

Description

silken windhound puppy - descriptionThe Silken Windhound is a breed of beautiful, athletic medium sized dogs. They have the long coat, athletic build and classic lines of the sighthound/coursing dog. Just looking at them and you know they have strength, balance and grace in those medium sized bodies. Their running ability is exceptional. They perform well in the confirmation rings.

They are sine boned, balanced with smooth muscles – a sleek hardy looking dog. They have almond-shaped, large, dark eyes with small folded ears. Looking in their faces you see intelligence, friendliness and alertness. The head is long with a well balanced muzzle and a dark, slightly down-turned nose. Her lips are dark and full and her neck long and slender. The Silken Windhound must have a flexible loin because they have a gallop of double suspensions and are amazingly fast. A deep chest is also a must with a flexible, curving tail. Her legs are straight and long, as she is built for speed.

griffon bleu de gascogne puppy - descriptionThis 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.

Characteristics

Characteristics

silken windhound dog - characteristics1. Children friendliness – they are great with children and would romp with them all day.

2.Special talents – speed and agility.

3.Adaptability Like most sighthounds they can be couch potatoes but being medium sized they can live just about anywhere as long as it is inside.

4.Learning ability - They are smart but their learning ability can be hampered by their stubbornness.

griffon bleu de gascogne dog - characteristicsYour 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.

Health Problems

silken windhound puppies - health problemsMost inherited diseases and conditions are rare. There is some drug related sensitivity, especially to ivermectin, and some dogs carry a MDR1 (multi-drug resistance gene) that is defective. Breeders are attempting to breed this out of the Silkens. A few other rare instances of concern include:

  • Cryptorchidism – a birth defect resulting in undescended testicles.
  • Lotus Syndrome – an occasional birth defect resulting in death.
  • Umbilical hernias – may require surgery.
  • Cataracts - may lead to old age sight problems
  • Deafness

griffon bleu de gascogne puppies - health problemsAs 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.

Caring The Pet

silken windhound dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy This is a medium sized, active breed. They need high quality dog food with plenty of protein. Feed them 3 times a day from a food made for high energy active medium sized breeds.

2.Feeding the adult - Feed them 2 times a day from a food made for high energy active medium sized breeds.

3.Points for Good - Exceptional agility and speed.

4. Games and Exercises The breed is active, and they love to run. They need daily exercise and they usually excel at flyball, agility, obedience and therapy. Obviously, they are very good at lure coursing and racing. They love to run or jog with you.

Grooming:

griffon bleu de gascogne dogs - caringThe 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.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Working dog
Origin:
United States
France
Height Male:
47 - 60 cm
18 - 24 inches
48 - 57 cm
18 - 23 inches
Height Female:
44 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
48 - 57 cm
18 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
10 - 20 kg
22 - 45 pounds
16 - 27 kg
35 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
7 - 17 kg
15 - 38 pounds
16 - 27 kg
35 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
15 - 18 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 4
4 - 7
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Silkens
Blue Gascony Griffon
Colors Available:
tuxedo marked or solid colored , white to black with brilliant brindles and solid red, in between. They can be spotted
Mottle white, black and grey
Coat:
silky coats of middling length longish to very long, with feathers. Some are straight, some are very curly
Longish and wiry
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Gentle, Intelligent, Outgoing, Playful, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Sakhalin Husky vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  2. Portuguese Water Dog vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  3. Puli vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  4. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  5. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  6. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  7. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  8. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  9. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  10. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  11. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  12. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  14. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  15. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  16. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  17. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Canaan Dog - Breed Comparison
  18. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Greek Harehound - Breed Comparison
  19. McNab vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  20. Porcelaine vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  21. Griffon Nivernais vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  22. Hokkaido vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  23. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  24. Pumi vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  25. Griffon Fauve de Bretagne vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  26. Silken Windhound vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  27. Silken Windhound vs Pharaoh Hound - Breed Comparison
  28. Silken Windhound vs Basenji - Breed Comparison
  29. Silken Windhound vs Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  30. Silken Windhound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  31. Silken Windhound vs Hungarian Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  32. Silken Windhound vs Redbone Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  33. Silken Windhound vs Bluetick Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  34. Silken Windhound vs Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  35. Silken Windhound vs Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  36. Silken Windhound vs Bavarian Mountain Hound - Breed Comparison
  37. Silken Windhound vs Basset Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  38. Silken Windhound vs Santal Hound - Breed Comparison
  39. Silken Windhound vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Silken Windhound vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  41. Silken Windhound vs Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie - Breed Comparison
  42. Silken Windhound vs Alpine Dachsbracke - Breed Comparison
  43. Silken Windhound vs Basset Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  44. Silken Windhound vs Podenco Canario - Breed Comparison
  45. Silken Windhound vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  46. Silken Windhound vs Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  47. Silken Windhound vs Chippiparai - Breed Comparison
  48. Silken Windhound vs Podenco Andaluz - Breed Comparison
  49. Silken Windhound vs Podenco Galego - Breed Comparison
  50. Silken Windhound vs English Foxhound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds