Miniature English Bulldog vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison

The Miniature Bulldog is such a cute little dog, hailing from England in the 18th and early 19th centuries. The exact development of the dog is unclear and it seems as though the breeders weren’t working together and were working in two different directions.

There is a lot of debate about the very name ‘miniature’ too because some breeders gave this name to a hybrid mix of a Pug and Bulldog. It seems some breeds were created by crossing English Bulldogs with French Bulldogs to decrease their size. Certainly the origins for the Miniature Bulldog are unknown and there isn’t one particular breeder who can be credited with developing the breed.

Because the Miniature Bulldog is a hybrid breed, it isn’t accepted by the AKC, but it is accepted by the American Canine Hybrid Club as well other registries.

The Artois Hound developed in France, essentially from the Picardy and Artois regions of northern France. The idea was to use them for the hunting of hares, fox and wild boars during the time of King Henry IV and Louis XIII. Unfortunately, with cross-breeding, the bloodline all but deteriorated and it took a couple of decades for the Artois breed to be restored.

After the 2nd world war, there was once again concern about the breed becoming extinct. A certain Mr.Audréchy from northern France stepped in and the breed was built up again. Today this hunting dog is essentially found in France, and a few hundred of them are registered with the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), and both the FCI and the United Kennel Club (UKC) recognize the Artois Hound.

Because the Miniature Bulldog is a cross between two purebred breeds – the Pug and the English Bulldog. You can expect different looks and characteristics from each breed.

Your mini Bulldog is a small breed dog standing between 25 and 35cm male and female and weighing between 11 and 18kg. The average litter size for these dogs is about 4 puppies.

The Miniature Bulldog has a short coat which sheds moderately and that comes in different colors such as tan and white, brindle, with black and grey also having a show in.

Temperament:

The Miniature Bulldog is a social, friendly breed who is able to get on well with all members of the family, including children and pets in the home. His very stature makes it that he isn’t the most active of dogs, but nonetheless you still want to exercise him and take him for walks to avoid obesity.

As with all dogs, training and socialization are imperative because this is a strong-willed dog who wants to go his own way.

Looking much like the Basset Hound and also referred to as French Artois Hound, Picard or Briquet, the muscled Artois Hound is a descendant of the Bloodhound and a rare breed.

The dog is well built with a large head, large eyes and large, hanging ears. He has a short coat, with the main colours being white, tan and black.

The energetic Artois Hound is a medium-to-large sized dog breed, and by FCI standard, they should be 20 inches to 22 3/4 inches tall from ground to withers.They weigh between 25 – 30kg or 55 and 65 pounds, are well muscled and strong with a short, dense coat.

A Friendly Character – Gets on with Children

These dogs are known for their endurance, making them ideal as a hunting- or walking companion. The Artois Hound is full of energy and he will require plenty of boisterous activities as well as training and socialization.

Although this is an intelligent breed, he can be stubborn. He’s a friendly character and will get on well with children, loving their energy and games. He’s amicable, and will also get on with other pets in the home too.

Not Aggressive – won’t Pass as a Good Watchdog

Artois Hounds are loyal to their human families. They’re not particularly good watchdogs though as they aren’t aggressive dogs, being social and friendly.

You’ll love having one of these entertaining, friendly dogs by your side. He is docile, social, fun and a bit stubborn too but he is able to get on well with children in the home as well as with other pets.

He can adapt to life in the city as well as in the countryside as he doesn’t require too much exercise.

Take special care of him and he’ll make you a splendid family pet.

Your Artois is an ideal family pet when you provide him with the love and attention that any member of a family deserves. Buy your Artois from a reputable breeder so that all the excellent characteristics of this lively breed are found in your 4-legged friend.

A Devoted, Loyal Friend with an ID Collar

The Artois is just waiting to be your devoted companion and will promise unconditional friendship in exchange for quality food, veterinary care, exercise and attention. To make sure you never lose your pet, outfit him with a collar and ID tag so that should he become lost, the chances are far better that he’ll be found.

He’s Intelligent and Trainable – with Patience

A dog isn’t a human and you want to always make sure that you’re reasonable with what to expect from him. Most little problems with your wonderful friend can be solved with kindness, compassion and patience.

Unfortunately the origins of the Miniature English Bulldog are not 100% clear and therefore other important information isn't readily available.

These dogs are always prone to breathing and nasal abnormalities because of the shape of their faces as well as being prone to heart deficiencies. Snoring, grunting and quite a bit of panting is part and parcel of the mini English Bulldog.

They’re also prone to overheating, cherry eye and hip dysplasia. It is most unlikely that your Miniature English Bulldog is going to get any of these illnesses and the good news is that he can live to be up to 12 years of age.

There are no known health problems that come as specific to the Artois Hound. The health problems that do develop are common ailments that can be found in most other dog breeds too.

Your Artois Hound will still need to visit the vet as a puppy for a thorough check-up as well as vaccinations and for any health issues he may have.

Oral Health

check for bad breath problems. Dental plaque can cause a nasty odour that will require dental treatment from a professional. The dog’s teeth can be maintained by brushing the teeth regularly with special canine toothpaste- and brush. However your dog’s bad breath could be indicative of other health problems such as diabetes.

Parasites, fleas, ticks and worms – there are many new treatments to manage these pests and your veterinarian will guide you towards a treatment for your pet.

Heartworm

if your pet is exposed to mosquitoes often, the insect carries the worm from dog to dog. Speak to your vet about treatment, more so when you live in a warm, wet area where mosquitoes thrive.

Vaccinations

Your Artois Hound puppy will have to be vaccinated with a combo vaccine to protect him from hepatitis, distemper, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. They should have received their first immunizations by 8 weeks of age. Speak to your vet about rabies shots as well.

Diet:

Feeding the Miniature English Bulldog is hugely important. It is imperative that he doesn't become obese. Buy the best dog food there is and see to it that he also gets some home-made food. Chop up boiled chicken, brown rice ad vegetables for your pet and mix occasionally into his dry kibble.

Dogs love simple food – their stomachs can’t cope with different foods. They appreciate consistency with uncomplicated but nutritious foods. The bulldog is a dog which can easily overheat, so make sure he has constant access to fresh cool drinking water. On a hot day you can even use a spray bottle and allow some spray mist sprayed into his face to cool him down.

Grooming:

The Mini English Bulldog is a dog that sheds so you will need to brush him at least twice a week to get rid of loose hair.

Check around his eyes and inside his ears for infection.

Brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to get rid of plaque so as to prevent dental decay which can be detrimental to his health.

His face and body have wrinkles, making him more susceptible to skin allergies and you’ll need to keep your eye open for these as they can be terribly painful and frustrating for your pet.

Keep his nails trimmed.

He is neither sleek, agile or quick and you can see just by looking at him that he isn’t designed for being sporty. A slow walk every day will be enough for him as well as some easy-going games inside.

The beauty with the Artois Hound is that he is low-maintenance and he will only require the basic tender loving care to keep him happy and healthy.

Grooming

The Artois isn’t a high maintenance dog and the low-shedding, short-haired coat will required a good brush a couple of times a week to remove loose hairs. The dog only requires a bath when absolutely necessary as bathing dries out natural oils in the skin. Never use a human shampoo – only a proper dog shampoo.

Feeding

Artois Hound puppies up to 12 weeks will need to be fed every 6 hours. Puppies of 6 months and older can have 2 bowls of food, and from one year of age, one bowl of food may be adequate. It’s an individual choice as 2 smaller meals a day can also suffice. Speak to your vet about premium-quality dry- and wet foods as well as about making your own dog food. You want to ensure the foods eliminate mineral and vitamin deficiencies. Ensure there is ALWAYS a bowl of fresh, cool water within your dog’s reach.

Exercise

This is a hunting dog so he will need plenty of exercise. Without regular exercise, a dog like the Artois becomes frustrated and destructive. Your Artois is your 4-legged family member, and according to age and individual traits will benefit from throwing ball games, pulling on ropes and running while you cycle. The cherry on the top is that you benefit from the exercise too!