Belgian Griffon vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison

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.

The Belgian Griffon isn’t your most attractive dog, but maybe its his quirky, gremlin looks that makes him such an adored pet for many. There are different varieties of Griffon, and the Belgian- and Brussels Griffon are one and the same. All small Belgian dogs have the same breed standards, with the Belgian having a rough coat The dog hails from Belguim and its ancestors were no doubt a mix of the Belgian street dog, the Stable Griffon and the Affenpinscher.

Later on in the 1800s, this combination was then crossed with the Pug, giving the dog the brachycephalic or flat faced look.

Unfortunately no written records were kept about the precise origin of this breed, but there is also the idea that the King Charles- and English Toy Spaniel were also involved in its development. These small dogs were bred to catch rats in the barns of European estates.

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.

Small but Full of Attitude

There are different variations of this dog to give it its distinctive look and size. This quaint looking little Griffon canine comes with two different coat types - soft or wiry. With the Belgian Griffon, his wiry coat of red, tan or black will need to be brushed at least twice a week. Shedding with this dog is seasonal.

He has a compact, sturdy little body, and he trots around with attitude. With his sharp pointed ears and whiskers, he has been given the nickname ‘bearded dog’. His dark black eyes are alert. He is self-confident, intelligent and curious breed, a great family pet and good with children if he has grown up with them in the home. He is good with other pets. The fact that this is a small breed and that he doesn’t have excessive energy levels, means he is adaptable to city- and country living.

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.

The Belgian Griffon is an affectionate pet and often establishes a strong bond with one member of the family. You’ll have your Griffon with you for about 15 years so make sure he is trained and a pleasure to have around.They are difficult to train, being somewhat stubborn so they are going to require patience. They’re sensitive too, and they won’t respond well to aggressive treatment.

They’re much more indoor dogs than outdoor dogs because they’re also vulnerable to heat stroke. They just want to come indoors and be with their human family, and when you do that for them, they’ll become a wonderful friend and companion to you.

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.

When you get your Griffon from a reputable breeder, you always have a better chance that he’ll be healthy. As it is, the Belgian Griffon has few hereditary health issues. However his dark eyes will have some genetic problems to contend with and he could suffer with progressive retinal atrophy. This is an illness which can lead to blindness

Other health issues to look out for are -

Syringomyelia – this is a neurological condition – an abnormality of the spinal cord – a disease which occurs more frequently in small breeds. It can cause your pet to endure a lot of pain.

Birthing Issues - these little dogs often have problems with giving birth, and a vet often has to intervene and perform a cesarean.

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!

Food and Water

The Belgian Griffon will do well if you invest in high quality foods. You can make your own, but if you’re concerned about his health, it would be best to check what ingredients should go into his home-prepared meals to ensure he gets all the vitamins and minerals he needs.

If you want to go with commercially manufactured dog foods, check with your vet about wet- and dry foods. Your vet will help with choosing a food appropriate to his size and age. Always ensure that there is clean, fresh water available to your pet.

Exercise

Even though he is a small breed, he is fairly active and he will need his fair share of exercise like ball games and walks. Training and socialization are a must for him. You’ll notice that training isn’t particularly easy with this breed, and first time dog owners might not have the patience with him.