Norwegian Elkhound vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison

The Norwegian Elkhound is an ancient spitz-type dog breed hailing from Norway and with a history that goes back thousands of years.

These dogs have been used as hunting dogs and have been able to bring down game such as Elk, bears, wolves, badgers and reindeer. They have also been used to guard livestock.

The Norwegian Elkhound was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1913.

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 Norwegian Elkhound is a medium to large sized dog standing at roughly 45 to 55cm in height and weighing anything fro 18 to 25 kilogams.

People love this dog because of his beautiful wolf-like face and bright eyes. The head is broad and wedge-shaped, the eyes dark brown, the ears stand erect and the bush tail curls over the dog's back.

The double coat has different shades of gray and silver with cream and white shades on the undercoat.

He is a moderate shedder with some seasonal shedding.

Temperament:

The Norwegian Elkhound is a high energy dog who loves to be busy and he also makes a loving and loyal companion towards his human family. He tends to be a little bit reserved around strangers.

He is an independent dog so so its a good idea to have him trained and socialized so that he is always obedient. He is an intelligent dog so you won’t battle to teach him.

He gets on well with children in the home. He however, can be a little bit aggressive with other dogs, but not if he was brought up with them as a puppy. Adventurous and active, he just loves spending time outdoors. It's why he is best suited to life in the countryside as opposed to the city and also prefers cooler climates.

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.

Temperament:

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.

Your Norwegian Elkhound makes an awesome pet. He is full of the joys of living and wants to be an active member of his human family.

He is active and always ready for some fun and games. He is also intelligent and will make an even better pet when he has been trained and socialized.

Those who have owned one of these beautiful dogs will always say how they adore this beautiful, smart, loving canine friend of theirs.

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 beautiful Norwegian Elkhound can reach 15 years of age if you look after him well and he manages to avoid some of the common dog diseases there are.

There are some dog illnesses that are good to be aware of -

Glaucoma:

This is an eye condition where there is pressure that builds up in the eye. There is a problem with the drainage of fluid in the eye and this is what causes the pressure and there can be damage to the optic nerve.

Pyotraumatic Dermatitis:

This is a skin condition that causes inflammation and is often seen in dogs like the Norwegian Elkhound who have thick coats.

Hip Dysplasia:

A common disease seen in many dog breeds, young and old, and which is a malfunction of the hip joints, causing problems with your dog’s mobility.

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.

As a spitz type dog, the Norwegian Elkhound is an energetic dog who will need lots of physical activity.

He has a very thick coat so make sure he doesn’t overheat during exercise as he has been used to living in wintry climates.

Brush and Check for Ticks:

Your pet will shed some of that thick hair so he will need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep the coat in tip top condition. At the same time check him over for ticks and fleas. How often you see ticks on your dog will depend on where you live. These parasites attach to your dog and feed on his blood.They are capable of causing many diseases in your pet, one of which is Lyme disease, a disease which can lead to arthritis and swelling with your dog’s joints.

The best way to prevent any disease from weakening your pet is to get him to the vet as soon as possible. A good way to prevent ticks is to speak to your vet about tick control products.

Diet:

Make sure he has the best food to ensure health and happiness. Keep his meals simple – no exotic, spicy foods that can upset his stomach.

A high quality kibble brand for energetic dogs is a wise choice and some tasty home-made food added in occasionally. This can be boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Never leave him without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

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.

Grooming:

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.

Diet:

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.