Grand Griffon Vendeen vs Double-Nosed Andean Tiger Hound - Breed Comparison

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is a French scenthound that has changed over many centuries. Today the area in France where they originate from, has contributed to the dog's looks.

The rocky and thorny region of Vendeé required a hardy breed of dog. Also, hunters wanted a slower hound that they could keep up with and the idea was to shorten the legs of the dog.

By the end of the 19th century, the Basset Griffon Vendéen was developed. By the 1950s, the Grand was considered a separate breed.Today the dog is a long-backed and short-legged hunting dog.

This is truly a rare breed of dog with his double nose. He hails from Bolivia.

Twentieth century reports of this rare feature include one report of a certain Percy Fawcett in 1913 already. This report received wide press coverage in 2006. There were photographs of this unique dog breed and they were distributed in the leading press outlets, with some people thinking that this was just a genetic abnormality.

However it soon proved that this wasn’t an abnormality but part of the breeds unique features, and these dogs can be seen around Bolivia and Trinidad.

It is believed that this dog is descended from the Pachon Navarro, a type of Pointer dog believed to have been brought to Central- and South America in the 16th century. Today, no kennel club recognizes the dog.

Kept today essentially as a domestic pet, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is a strongly built dog, a rough-coated scent hound of medium size standing at roughly 39 to 45cm in height and weighing 18 to 20kg.

The coat is medium length, shaggy and wiry. It is essentially white with orange markings. Sometimes he can be tri-colored, having a combination of orange, black or tan markings. The double coat is actually regarded as his defining characteristic, being shaggy with a wiry texture that sets him apart from other hound breeds.

His legs are straight, and he is longer than he is tall. He is a deep chested dog with long ears and a long tail. He is also noted for his mustache and beard with long eyebrows.

Temperament:

Your Grand Basset is a courageous, happy, confident dog. He is active and has great stamina. As a social, pack dog, he likes plenty of time spent with his owner, failing which the owner should invest in another dog too so as to be part of a pack. He will get on great with children and he is also a pet-friendly breed who will get on well with cats too. He is sharp and alert and responds well to training and socialization.

The Double-nosed Andean Tiger Hound is a medium to large sized pure bred dog known specifically for this unique feature – the double nostril divided by a skin and fur band.

He stands at roughly 48 – 60cm and weighs 20 – 29kg. The dog has floppy ears or semi-erect ears with short limbs and a long tail.The coat of the dog is short and silky and it can be brown and white or black, grey and white or he can be a mixture of several of these colors.

Temperament:

Even though the dog’s name - Andean Tiger Hound - might make people think it is similar in character to a tiger, it is actually a sweet natured dog with a gentle nature that loves being close to its human family.

It lives peacefully with children and pets in the home. It is a brave, alert dog who makes a good watchdog. He is an energetic dog and will require regular exercise such as long walks. As with all dogs he can benefit with training and socialization and being an intelligent breed, he is actually easy to train.

This long-backed, short legged hunting dog has a happy, confident personality. While he was used originally for hunting, he is now commonly kept as a companion.

He is energetic and independent and will require you having him join you for walks and a ball game too.

Non-aggressive and adaptable he can live in the city or in the countryside so long as he receives plenty of attention and love – then he'll be a splendid pet.

This medium sized dog with the double nose is unusual in that respect, but he is no different from most other dogs when it comes to making a wonderful pet.

Loving, loyal, gentle, easy to please, amicable and intelligent, the Double Nosed Andean Tiger Hound guarantees to make you an excellent pet as he has so many of the desired characteristics of a good friend.

There are some Basset Griffon Vendéens that have reached 17 years of age. This is excellent for these dogs, and lifestyle, nutrition and exercise can all play a part in the longevity of any dog. While he is a pretty robust canine, you'll want to be aware of some of the diseases which may require veterinary intervention.

Cancer:

Cancer is a major cause of death in elderly dogs, but if caught early, the dog can be cured. These cancers can be malignant lymphoma, skin cancer, bone cancer or soft tissue sarcomas. You'll notice a lump on your pet or a wound that won't heal. When you notice your dog not feeling well, get him to the vet.

Cardiac Problems:

Common forms of heart disease in dogs is valvular disease, heart-worm disease and myocardial disease. The signs of heart disease in your pet will depend on the severity of the disease and type.

As heart disease moves on to congestive heart failure, you'll notice symptoms such as difficulty with breathing, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. You need to get your dog immediately to the vet.

Dermatitis:

Dog allergies can be caused by pollen, medications, food or insects. Your pet will be scratching, he'll have watery eyes and inflamed skin. This inflammatory condition can cause a lot of agony for your pet, driving him mad with the itch and pain. Relieve his discomfort by getting him to the vet as soon as possible.

The Double nosed Andean Tiger Hound, with good care, can reach 12 to 15 years of age.

Every dog has common dog ailments to contend with and some of these your dog might be susceptible to are -

Arthritis:

Atypical disease to look out for as your dog grows older. It can be heartbreaking to watch your bet battling to walk and battling to get up from lying down.

Cancer:

This is a disease with dogs that accounts for almost 50% of deaths in pets. It is a killer and you want to be looking out for drastic weight loss and lumps and get your pet to the vet.

Kennel Cough:

This is a respiratory infection and it can be easily be passed from one dog to the next. Your dog will have a raspy cough and will be lethargic too.

Worms:

This can cause weight loss in your pet and he can also have a swollen stomach and be lethargic.

Allergies:

Anything can cause your dog to have an allergy, whether it is fleas or ticks or even food. Common allergies can be treated by changing some of the things you believe could be aggravating your pet.

Remember that a healthy, balanced diet and good exercise are important for keeping your pet healthy and ensuring longevity.

Diet:

If you are going to be feeding your Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen kibble, there are manufacturers who bring out excellent foods which are breed-specific formulas for age, size and energy levels of dogs.

Feeding a dog is an individual choice, but good food can increase his longevity. A bit of raw meat mixed into his kibble, or some cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken will be excellent for him and can add some tasty variety to his diet.

Fresh, cool water must always be available at all times.

Grooming:

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen’s coat is double and the rough, harsh coat will need brushing twice a week and stripped once a year.

Diet:

Feed your pet a quality diet – either from the top-range commercially manufactured foods or home-made food such as cooked rice, vegetables and chicken.

Steer well clear of over-feeding your pet as this can negatively affect your pet’s health in many ways.

Warm, Dry Living Environment:

Ensure your pet is always sheltered from the weather and that he has both sun and shade.

Exercise:

Your Double Nosed Andean Tiger Hound is an energetic dog and you want to walk him and make sure that he gets regular exercise to keep fit, lean and healthy.

Be Involved with the Pet:

Dogs are social creatures and to stick him in your back yard without any interaction with you is enough to make him ill and to take all the spirit out of him. Rather don’t get a pet.