MyDogBreeds
Both Grand Bleu de Gascogne and Ariegeois are originated from France. Grand Bleu de Gascogne may grow 14 cm / 6 inches higher than Ariegeois. Grand Bleu de Gascogne may weigh 15 kg / 34 pounds more than Ariegeois. Both Grand Bleu de Gascogne and Ariegeois has almost same life span. Both Grand Bleu de Gascogne and Ariegeois has almost same litter size. Both Grand Bleu de Gascogne and Ariegeois requires Low maintenance.
The 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.
The Ariegeois is a fairly new breed, believed to have originated in France in 1912. As a scent hound, it is a blend of 3 French scent hounds - Grand Gascon-Saintongeois, Grand bleu de Gascon and the Briquet.
Just to show you how ancient these breeds are, the Grand bleu were thought to have been brought to France by an ancient civilization, the Phoenicians, who traded wares and dogs. The Briquet is native to southern France but they have been used as hunting dogs as far back as pre-Roman times.
As the breeds mixed, the Ariegeois came about. A popular pack dog emerged with an excellent sense of smell that would stand the dog in good stead for hunting. Today, while still fairly uncommon beyond French borders, the dog is highly regarded for its extraordinary hunting abilities and his loyal, affectionate nature towards his human companions.
The 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.
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.
The amicable-looking medium-sized Ariegeois dog, also known as the Ariege Hound, has a lean, muscled body. This dog breed isn’t just suitable as as working breed, but his kind face tells you he has a good temperament and he makes for an affectionate family pet and friend as well.
The Ariegeois gets along well with children in the family. Gentle and patient, you want to teach your children to also be gentle, patient and kind around this affectionate canine. Early socialization and training, as with any dog breed, will be important for this energetic dog, and training will make him a wonderful family pet.
With their trim, athletic build, deep chest and slightly forward lean similar to that of a Pointer dog, the scenthound’s white coat with black markings is short and smooth.
One of the more noticeable features of the dog is his long ears which are lovely and soft to touch. With his dark brown, soulful eyes, his black nose and slightly curved tail, the Ariegeois has a deep, throaty bark.
Your 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.
Your wonderful Ariegeois wants to be your lifelong companion, and you can expect all the wonderful characteristics to be evident in this canine if you buy him from a reputable breeder. When you bring him home, make sure he has a warm, dry, comfortable sleeping area, and in exchange for this provision he will be your loyal, devoted friend.
Spayed or Neutered saves you from Unwanted Puppies
If you don’t intend your Ariegeois becoming a parent have your dog spayed or neutered by 6 months of age.
Your Ariegeois is intelligent and easy to train and can be guaranteed to be your best friend and will be your loyal companion through thick and thin. In exchange for this priceless friendship, you need to be a responsible dog owner to ensure his health and happiness.
As 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.
There are a number of illnesses that are common to all dog breeds. Some of the more common dog illnesses are -
No Standard Health Problems – Get Puppy Vaccinations
There are no specific health problems linked to the Ariegeois Dog but he will still need to get his regular puppy vaccinations -
Known 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.
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.
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.
The Ariegeois is a relatively low maintenance dog and his short coat will require a good brush at least once a week. You don’t have to bath him often as this strips natural oils away that make his coat shiny and glossy. Check those long ears and make sure that no leaves, grass and dirt are lodged deep within the ears.
There are thousands of options for dog foods and the first step is to chat to your veterinarian about the best food for your to meet his nutritional needs during each stage of his life. It is difficult to determine diet quality for you dog from the label.
Wet or dry dog food, it is important to have high quality ingredients from a dog food manufacturing company that has the expertise to produce dog food that meets your pet’s nutritional needs. Protein is highly important for your pet and many dog owners make their own dog food. Raw meat is imperative for the health of your dog, but before switching to a raw diet, chat to your veterinarian. Do research on different brands - there are good and bad brands and your pet needs to be protected from false claims. Always make sure your pet has access to fresh, cool, clean drinking water.
Your Ariegeois will need some exercise if you want him to maintain his lean, muscular shape. In order for him to stay in shape and to avoid boredom, take him on walks, throw a ball for him, and your reward will be his bright eyes and wagging tail.