Drentse Patrijshond vs Basset Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison

The Drentse Patrijshond came about in the 1930-1950s. The breed developed from pointing dogs which originated in Spain, arriving in the Netherlands in the 16th century and being known as Partridge dogs.

The eastern part was known as the Province of Drenthe, and it is this area where these Partridge dogs were bred exclusively, not being mixed with other unknown breeds.

After World War II the Drentse Patrijshond was also recognized by the FCI. It was a popular dog in the Netherlands and the breed was also recognized by the Dutch Kennel Club in 1943. The Dretse’s popularity grew in other European countries too. In the 1960s some of the dogs entered the United States and in 2008 the Drentse Patrijshond Club of North America was established.

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne from France was introduced to the UK in 1983, and this smallest of the French hounds is rarely seen outside France, and when you do it is in Britain. This French hunting breed belonging to the Hound group in all likelihood descends from the Grand Fauve de Bretagne which is now extinct.

Long ago the dog was used for hunting and there was even a time when it was on the brink of extinction.The breed became very rare but was later bred with the Basset Griffon Vendeen as well as the Wire Haired Dachshund which has resulted in the breed we have today. The first Basset Fauve was imported into the USA in November 2001.

The Drentse Patrijshond is a medium to large sized dog standing between 55 and 63cm in height and weighing anything between 18 and 30kg. He is a working dog and known by other names such as Dutch Partridge Dog and Dutch Gundog among others.

The coat of the dog is medium length and dense and is mostly white with reddish brown markings. People looking at him liken him to a spaniel, pointer or setter kind of dog. He is athletic and muscular with a long feathery tail, floppy ears and a brown nose with amber colored eyes.

Temperament:

The Drentsche Patrijshond is an amicable family dog who is relaxed and calm around other pets in the home as well as children. In fact it is the kind of dog that forms a strong bond with his human family, not liking to be left alone.

He is a lively, alert and playful dog with a tendency to be a bit stubborn but this is easily dealt with when he undergoes training and socialization. He is an adaptable dog, being able to fit into life in the city or the countryside, just so long as his beloved owners are close by. However, he is very active and will require an owner who will take time out to take him on walks or involve him in lots of outdoor activities.

Wiry, Dense Coat

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a smallish hound, with a long body and deep chest. He is lively and friendly. He is a wire-coated dog, looking similar to a golden cocker spaniel, but his coat is coarse and quite springy and wiry to the touch. He is nimble, he has plenty of courage, he is lively, friendly and amenable. He has short legs, but unlike other Basset breeds, these don’t have that crooked, turned outwards appearance that the Basset Hound has.

The tail is fairly long and held upright when the dog is alert. He has long low-set ears which reach roughly to the end of the nose. The coat is always wheat- or fawn or red in color. The Basset Fauve de Bretagne, also referred to as the Fawn Brittany Basset isn’t quite as low to the ground as the Basset Hound, measuring 32 – 38 cm.

Friendly and Adaptable

Small, stocky and feisty, this rough-coated Basset is energetic, agile and quick and you’ll find that he gets on well with children as well as other pets in the house. Some training and socialization will go a far way to make him an even more super dog than what he is. He’ll make a wonderful family pet and will adapt well to country living as well as living in the city, if he can rely on you to take him for walks.

The Drentse Patrijshond is a breed of dog that is particularly human orientated – just loving being around his human family.

He forms a deep bond with those that care for him and he can’t bear to be separated from his human family. The dog has always had a strong hunting instinct but these days this sweet, loyal dog is much more a devoted family pet who is more than happy to come indoors and make himself at home among his family members.

Smart and courageous, the Basset Fauve is such a wonderful pet to have in your home. He is gentle, loving and loyal and will adapt to living in the countryside or the city, so long as he is loved, fed well, exercised and given lots of attention.

He was once a serious hunter, but these days he is most content to be friend and protector for his human family.

The Drentse is a fairly healthy dog breed, with a life span of 12 to 15 years. No matter how healthy your dog, there will always be some health issues it may face. Environmental factors and diet can play an important part in his wellbeing.

Health concerns with this breed can include progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia as well as hereditary stomatocytosis. This is a disorder that affects the dog’s cells walls.

Too much fluid gets into the cells and this damages red blood cells. Some breeds are more prone to this disorder, and the Drentse Patrijshond is one. It is an hereditary disorder that results in chronic anemia and liver disease.

The Basset Fauve is free from inherited health problems in the UK and is in fact one of the hardiest of the Basset group. Like all Basset type breeds, as a dog owner you’ll have to keep an eye on your Basset Fauve as he can develop back problems as he gets older.

When it comes to your Basset Fauve’s health, make sure he gets all his shots, starting from when he is a puppy. Many of the dangerous canine diseases can be prevented with vaccines.

Grooming:

This dog is quite a heavy shedder, but even so, he won’t need professional grooming – just a good brushing twice a week.

The teeth will need to be brushed 2 or 3x a week and because he has floppy ears, these will need to be checked for infection. It’s a good idea to clean them with some special dog ear cleanser, but if you’re not sure how, your vet or a professional groomer can do it for you.

Cut your dog’ nails, but once again if you think you might cut into the quick of the nail, causing bleeding and pain, a professional groomer can do it for you.

Diet:

The Drentsche Patrijshond will require quality dry dog food. Speak to your vet about the best kibble that ensures your pet gets his full quota of vitamins and minerals. Add in cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken from time to time and include some raw meat wherever possible. Adding in some raw meat helps to stave off dry, red, irritated skin. Your pet will also need access to fresh, cool water day and night.

Grooming

The Basset Fauve is easy to maintain, and all that is required from you is to brush his wiry coat at least twice a week to remove all loose hairs. Look out for too much hair in the ear passage and remove it. The teeth should be brushed a couple of times a week with a dog toothpaste and brush to avoid plague build-up and the claws should also be trimmed.

Exercise

Daily walks will be imperative for your Basset Fauve as he is an energetic dog and will need regular exercise. Just ignoring his energetic side will make him frustrated, bored and even destructive.

Food

This breed of dog used to hunt small game and so he is lively and energetic. Because of this he will need a high-quality dog food. Always buy the best commercially manufactured dog foods and speak to your vet about the best one, and whether dry- or wet foods would best suit your canine friend. You want to provide your pet with variety, and it is imperative to include some raw- and cooked meat to his regular dog food to ensure he doesn’t battle with an itchy, dry skin.

Dog foods suited to age, activity levels and stage of life can ensure your dog is always energetic, full of life, healthy and happy and not prone to putting on weight. Always ensure that clean, cool water is constantly available to your pet.

If you get a puppy from a reputable breeder, they will tell you what the puppy’s feeding schedule has been. Make sure to stick to the same routine for a while so that your puppy doesn’t have any tummy upsets.