Originating in France, this black and white dog belongs to the scenthound group. This is one of the original hunting dogs which first became prevalent in France, particularly the low country, as far back as the Middle Ages. This versatile hunting dog could hunt in packs or individually to ferret out anything from rabbits to foxes. Today, it is recognized by the United Kennel Club here in the U.S.
Characterized by a coarse, spotted black and white coat, the Small Blue Gascony Griffon has a well-developed chest with rounded ribs. With a short and strong back, it has a muscular, arched back with a sloped croup. It has fairly bushy eyebrows but they don't tend to overshadow the eyes. Its nose is thin and its coloring is black and white with tan markings on the head and legs. This breed grows to a height of between 10.5 inches and 22.4 inches. They grow in weight to between 36 and 40 pounds.
Personality
This dog breed is fiercely independent yet boisterous and energetic. It is extremely loyal to its owners and is friendly toward children and even other pets. Bold in its personality, this dog is easy to train and highly intelligent. This friendly breed will protect its owners from any harm yet is gentle with kids. It's got a lot of energy and therefore needs a lot of space to run around. This feisty breed is great for families.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 10 - 14 years |
| Nicknames: | Griffon bleu de Gascogne |
Small Blue Gascony Griffon Build Information
Characterized by a coarse, spotted black and white coat, the Small Blue Gascony Griffon has a well-developed chest with rounded ribs. With a short and strong back, it has a muscular, arched back with a sloped croup. It has fairly bushy eyebrows but they don't tend to overshadow the eyes. Its nose is thin and its coloring is black and white with tan markings on the head and legs. This breed grows to a height of between 10.5 inches and 22.4 inches. They grow in weight to between 36 and 40 pounds.
| Size: | Medium - Large |
Behaviour and Personality
This dog breed is fiercely independent yet boisterous and energetic. It is extremely loyal to its owners and is friendly toward children and even other pets. Bold in its personality, this dog is easy to train and highly intelligent. This friendly breed will protect its owners from any harm yet is gentle with kids. It's got a lot of energy and therefore needs a lot of space to run around. This feisty breed is great for families.
| Activity Level: | Very active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Very kid friendly |
Appearance
There are no outstanding grooming requirements for this dog aside from occasional brushing and washing as well as nail trimming if needed. Shampooing the coat too much can dry out the skin and cause itching and irritation.
| Shedding: | Little |
| Grooming: | Low maintenance |
Small Blue Gascony Griffon Common Health Conditions
No common health problems are known for this breed. Regular visits to the vet are recommended to stay on top of any potential issues that may come up.
Small Blue Gascony Griffon Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The Gascony Griffon needs lots of room to exercise, as they are bred to run and hunt. This dog responds best to firm, consistent training. This breed is named "blue" because of the blue shade to its mottled coat. It nearly went extinct in the 19th century but was saved by breeder Alain Bourbon. This French native breed is not common outside of this country. The Blue Gascony Griffon is also known as Griffon bleu de Gascogne. The Small Blue Gascony Griffon has a life expectancy of between 10 and 14 years
| Training: | Easy |