Cretan Hound vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison

Cretan Hound vs Belgian Griffon - Breed ComparisonBelgian Griffon is originated from Belgium but Cretan Hound is originated from Greece. Belgian Griffon may grow 48 cm / 18 inches shorter than Cretan Hound. Belgian Griffon may weigh 24 kg / 52 pounds lesser than Cretan Hound. Both Belgian Griffon and Cretan Hound has almost same life span. Belgian Griffon may have less litter size than Cretan Hound. Both Belgian Griffon and Cretan Hound requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Hound dog
undefined
Belgium
Greece
Height Male:
18 - 20 cm
7 - 8 inches
60 - 68 cm
23 - 27 inches
Height Female:
16 - 20 cm
6 - 8 inches
60 - 68 cm
23 - 27 inches
Weight Male:
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
20 - 30 kg
44 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
20 - 30 kg
44 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 3
3 - 7
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Brussels Griffon, Griffon Belge, Griffon Bruxellois Petit Brabançon
Kritikos Lagonikos, Kressa Kyon, Ntopio
Colors Available:
red, tan or black
grey, Fawn, sandy, tri-colored , white, black or brindle
Coat:
2 types - soft or wiry
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Minimal, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

belgian griffonThe 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.

cretan houndAlthough the Cretan Hound or the Kritikos Lagonikos is recognized in both Greece and Germany, the hunting dog breed is from the island of Crete, Greece. The dog’s history goes back thousands of years. It is an ancient breed and some believe it is one of the oldest hunting breeds in Europe.

The Cretan Hound has been bred as a working dog, combining sight and scent to track down their prey. Today it is still a rare dog breed that you won’t easily find outside of Crete.

Greece kennels recognize this dog as well as some European kennels, but it isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Description

Small but Full of Attitude

belgian griffon puppy - descriptionThere 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.

cretan hound puppy - descriptionKnown for its extraordinary scent abilities as well as its speed, this dog has always been used as a hare hunter because of these skills.

It’s a slender dog of medium to large size and stands at about 60-68cm in height and weighs between 20 – 30kg. It is lean, strong, muscular and swift with a body that is inclined to be longer than tall.

He is slightly heavier than other scenthounds and his ribs aren’t seen. The head is wedge-shaped and the ears drop down, are folded back or can be semi-erect. The eyes are dark and the tail is long and curves upwards with longer hair being found on the tail.

The coat is short and smooth, and coat colors of the dog are varied and can be fawn, sandy, grey, white, black or brindle, and it can be tri-colored too.

Temperament:

The Cretan Hound is alert to sight, sound and scent and when it senses prey, the tail moves in a circular way and the dog becomes rigid for a while before he is off on the hunt.

He is a gentle, intelligent dog, reserved around strangers but making an excellent family pet as he gets on well with all his human family members as well as pets in the house. With good training and socialization, the dog becomes more relaxed around strangers.

He isn’t an aggressive dog, and while he is alert to sounds and smells, he doesn’t make a particularly good watchdog.

Characteristics

belgian griffon dog - characteristicsThe 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.

cretan hound dog - characteristicsThe Cretan Hound is an energetic, curious dog, but when it comes to being a family pet, he is affectionate and gentle.

He is a reserved dog around strangers. He likes to be busy and will love his walks and games with his human family members. He is smart so is readily trained and he likes to be obedient and to please.

The Cretan Hound will live in harmony with other dogs in the home and they’re also patient and good around disciplined children who have learned to respect animals.

Provide your Cretan Hound with his fair share of love and attention and he will go out of his way to be a loyal and loving family friend.

Health Problems

belgian griffon puppies - health problemsWhen 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.

cretan hound puppies - health problemsThe Cretan Hound is a healthy, robust dog breed, but even so, he can suffer from some common health problems that other dogs are also susceptible to. Some of these are hip dysplasia , cancer, ear infections, bloat and cherry eye.

Remember that if you don’t want your dog to have puppies, they can actually benefit health-wise from being spayed or neutered. Doing this for your pet can prevent a number of health issues later on down the line.

Make sure too, that your puppy receives his vaccinations in a timely fashion so as to avoid terrible, life threatening illnesses such as parvo and rabies.

Caring The Pet

Food and Water

belgian griffon dogs - caringThe 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.

cretan hound dogs - caringYou’re certainly not going to have to do too much grooming with the Cretan Hound as he is a low maintenance breed.

The dog is a short haired breed and an average shedder, so a good brush twice a week will keep the coat free of loose hairs and maintain the condition of the hair.

As with all dogs, the nails as well as the ears must be checked and attended to. The veterinarian can advise you on how to keep his ears clean and free of infection, as prodding around without knowing can damage his ears.

Exercise:

This Cretan Hound has high activity needs. He is energetic and also hard-working, and you’ll need to be taking him on long walks and providing him with some highly energetic playing sessions. Throw ball for him and take him with you when you go jogging or cycling.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Belgian Griffon vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Belgian Griffon vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Belgian Griffon vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Belgian Griffon vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Belgian Griffon vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Belgian Griffon vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Belgian Griffon vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Belgian Griffon vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Belgian Griffon vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Belgian Griffon vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Belgian Griffon vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Belgian Griffon vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Belgian Griffon vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Belgian Griffon vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Belgian Griffon vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Belgian Griffon vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Belgian Griffon vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Belgian Griffon vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Belgian Griffon vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Belgian Griffon vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Belgian Griffon vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Belgian Griffon vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Belgian Griffon vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Belgian Griffon vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Belgian Griffon vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Cretan Hound vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Cretan Hound vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Cretan Hound vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Cretan Hound vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Cretan Hound vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Cretan Hound vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Cretan Hound vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Cretan Hound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Cretan Hound vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Cretan Hound vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Cretan Hound vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Cretan Hound vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Cretan Hound vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Cretan Hound vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Cretan Hound vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Cretan Hound vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Cretan Hound vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Cretan Hound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Cretan Hound vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Cretan Hound vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Cretan Hound vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Cretan Hound vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Cretan Hound vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Cretan Hound vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Cretan Hound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison