Schweizer Niederlaufhund vs Petit Gascon Saintongeois - Breed Comparison

Originating in Switzerland, the Schweizer Niederlaufhund was established around 1900, when hunting became restricted to districts. The Swiss hunter needed a slower dog for the limited territory they could hunt in. Crossing selected Schweizer Laufhunds with Basset Hounds and other selected smaller, short legged hounds developed the Schweizer Niederlaufhund. By 1905 there was already a Schweizer Niederlaufhund Club.

The Niederlaufhund became one of the best hunting dogs in the world, with its powerful body and ability to outhunt the Laufhund in tracking big game. Slower of course than the Laufhund it has a great sense of smell and an ability to easily find wounded animals. There are a few varieties, just like with the Swiss Hound again mostly because of their coloring. The Luzerner Niederlaufhund, the Jura Neiderlaufhund, and the Schwyzerlaufhund. They have musical voices that they use to communicate with the hunters and each other as well as that amazing sense of smell. They can hunt for hours without tiring and without much information from the hunter.

They are a cross breed not recognized by the larger kennel club such as the AKC and the UKC. They are recognized by the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), the American Canine Association Inc. (ACA) and most importantly by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI). This last one is important because it could lead to recognition as a new breed by the UKC and the AKC.

The Petit Gascon Saintongeois comes from- and is in fact a smaller version of the Grand Gascon Saintongeois. The dog has been used for hunting. Hunters wanted a smaller dog and these were the Petit Gascon Saintongeois.

There was a time when the numbers of these dogs became less and their numbers were restored by Baron Virelade in the 19th century. It is where this dog gets his nickname from.

The Petit Gascon-Saintongeois was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1993.

The Schweizer Niederlaufhund is a medium size, short dog. They look like their cousins, the Schweizer Laufhund but smaller. Their body is just slightly longer than it is tall, so you are left with the impression of a mostly square dog. The Niederlaufhund is well put together, with strong legs, a noble head, long droopy ears, broad chest, and a low held tail.

The Small Lucerne Hound has a white cote with smooth speckles of black or gray making them appear to be blue.

The Small Bernese Hound has a tricolor coat of white, tan and black. There are tan marks on the eyebrows. There is a wire haired Small Bernese as well. He has a short beard.

The Small Schwyz Hound is smooth coated in white with orange or yellow-red patches. The wired haired version is extinct.

The Small Jura Hound is a single coated dog with a black coat and tan marking above his eyes as eyebrows as well. He might have some white as well.

The Petit Gascon Saintongeois is a smaller version of the Grand Gascon Saintongeois but he is still muscled and lean and looked upon as being a large, robust dog.

His coat is short and dense and is white with black patches and some speckles. You'll find that there are nearly always black patches found on either side of the head, surrounding the eyes and covering the ears. The ears are essentially black, although there is also some tan coloring.

The ears are floppy, the tail long and saber-shaped.The Petit Gascon Saintongeois is a well proportioned dog standing at between 56 to 62cm in height and weighing 23 to 27kg.

Temperament:

The Petit Gascon Saintongeois is a friendly, good-natured pet, being loyal and loving with his human family and being a good playmate to children. He is also intelligent and amicable and will be easily trained and socialized.

Children friendliness – yes, they are but use caution around small children and small prey.

2. Special talents – the breed exhibits and amazing sense of smell.

3. Adaptability - needs room to run and explore – is very frustrated when confined.

4. Learning ability – highly intelligent and eager to learn.

Your gentle, calm, amicable Petit Gascon-Saintongeois is such an excellent hunting dog, but he doesn’t let that get in the way of him being a wonderful family pet as well.

His friendly, good natured, docile temperament makes this particular breed a superb choice as he gets on so well with children too if they themselves have been taught to be kind to animals and to respect them.

He is intelligent too and easy to train, and he is attractive to look at as a bonus. This all makes him the kind of pet and companion that everyone could benefit from.

The Niederlaufhund Is prone to a very medical issues to keep an eye on. They include:

• Hip Dysplasia – This comes from hip joints that are not well formed and cause reduced mobility and pain. Parents can be tested before the dogs are bred to make sure their hips are good, and that dysplasia will not be passed to puppies. This dysplasia can cause arthritis and even lameness.

• Ear Infections – With long drooping ears it is easy for the dog to acquire ear infections. This is even more so for a hunting dog like the Niederlafhund. It is important to clean the dog’s ears on a regular basis.

The Petit Gascon-Saintongeois has no documented breed related health problems. As previously mentioned, with his long ears, check out the inside of his ears regularly for ear infections.

Parasites:

Ticks fleas and worms are a curse. Worms particularly are terrible internal parasites and in fact some worms can even be fatal in puppies. Some of the signs your dogs may have worms include weight loss, a dull, dry, thinning coat, no loger interested in food, diarrhea and vomiting. The best way to respond to your pet’s worm issues is to get him to the vet.

Bloat or Swollen Stomach:

This problem is looked upon as a medical emergency. Gastric dilatation and volvulus, if left, can kill your dog. It’s when gas is trapped in the stomach which has twisted, blocking off the stomach’s blood supply.

Deep chested dogs, feeding your dog just one meal a day so that he gobbles it up too quickly, and older, obese dogs are more prone to bloat. Your dog will require immediate veterinary intervention.

1Feeding the puppy - give 1 cup per day of high quality dog food divided into 3 meals.

2.Feeding the adult – give one and one half cups of high quality dog food divided into 2 meals.

3.Points for Good Health - Stamina

4. Games and Exercises – needs a lot of daily exercise and loves field trials, running and activities like barn hunt.

The Gascon Saintongeois is looked upon as being a fairly low maintenance breed. That is because the coat is short and smooth, although the coat does become thicker in the Winter time. He sheds so you will want to brush his coat at least twice a week.

With his long floppy ears, during your brushing session, check inside his ears as dampness, wax and debris can become the ideal breeding spot for bacteria, and ear infections can be the result. Check for redness and possible discharge.

Check his eyes that they are clear and bright.

While brushing him, check for any new, unusual lumps.

Keep his nails well trimmed.

Provide him with a nice warm, dry spot to sleep.

When he’s oudoors, make sure that he has both sun and shade and that his waterbowl is always available.

Make sure that at the first signs of illness you get your pet to the vet.

Feed him only the best quality kibble there is. Occasionally give him some home-made food. Keep this food simple and nutritious. You can’t go wrong with boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach. You can chop this up and add it to his kibble. Sometimes it can benefit your pet to include some raw meat as well.

If only pet owners would realize that their pets don’t want all those spicy, exotic people foods. They just give a dog a stomach ache and eventually shorten his life. Make sure he always has access to a bowl of cool, fresh water.