Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed Comparison

Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Greek Sheepdog - Breed ComparisonGreek Sheepdog is originated from Greece but Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is originated from France. Greek Sheepdog may grow 30 cm / 12 inches higher than Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen. Greek Sheepdog may weigh 30 kg / 67 pounds more than Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen. Both Greek Sheepdog and Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen has almost same life span. Greek Sheepdog may have less litter size than Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen. Both Greek Sheepdog and Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Hound dog
undefined
Greece
France
Height Male:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
39 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
Height Female:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
39 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
Weight Male:
32 - 50 kg
70 - 111 pounds
18 - 20 kg
39 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
32 - 50 kg
70 - 111 pounds
18 - 20 kg
39 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
7 - 12
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Greek Shepherd, Olympus Dog
GBGV, Grand Basset
Colors Available:
White with red, black or brown markings
Yellow, orange, black – tricolor and grizzle.
Coat:
Thick, double-coat, long hair
Medium length, shaggy, wiry
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

greek sheepdogKnown as the Olympus Dog or even simply as the Greek Shepherd, the Greek Sheepdog is a large to giant molosser dog from Greece. His purpose has always been to guard flocks and livestock from predators and he has been around for hundreds of years, looking much like the Great Pyrenees.

It is believed that the dog was likely bred with a number of breeds – both local and non-local dogs.

Unfortunately there were no records kept of the development of the breed but today the Greek Sheepdog remains a rare and fairly unknown breed outside of Greece.

It's numbers are dwindling in Greece too and since 1998 the Greek ARCTUROS has made attempts to save the breed, starting the Greek Shepherd Dog Breeding Program.

grand basset griffon vendeenThe Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is a French scenthound that has changed over many centuries and today the area in France where they originate from, has contributed to the dog's looks.

The rocky and thorny region of Vendeé required a hardy breed of dog. Also, hunters wanted a slower hound that they could keep up with, and the idea was to shorten the legs of the dog.

By the end of the 19th century, the Basset Griffon Vendéen was developed. By the 1950s, the Grand was considered a separate breed. and Petit was not banned until 1977.Today the dog is a long-backed and short-legged hunting dog.

Description

greek sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Greek Sheepdog is a large dog, standing at 65 – 75cm and weighing roughly between 32 to 50kg. He is a dog that displays physical strength. He has a large head with brown eyes and a serious expression on his face. He has a thick double coat which is essentially white with red, black or brown markings.

You will also see tri-color dogs. He has floppy ears today but there was a time when the right ear of the male dog was cut off or cropped. The tail is long and bushy and it can be held low but also held up so that it curls over the back.

Temperament:

Maybe because of his size and him being a strong-willed, independent thinker, the Greek Shepherd may not be the best choice for a first time dog owner. Having said that, if you're a strong, firm, patient, kind person, then you'll be able to raise any kind of dog, first time or not.

The Greek Shepherd is a brave, loyal, calm, protective dog and with socialization and training, can make an awesome pet. They are dogs who are a bit suspicious with strangers, not making friends too easily. He loves his human family and wants to be part of their activities. He can't be left on his own day after day as this can lead to excessive barking and destructive behavior.

They've been dogs used to working with livestock and they will certainly need to be taken on daily walks and involved in rough and tumble games as they thrive on activity. The dog won't fit easily into city life where there is just a handkerchief-sized garden as he needs space and activity.

grand basset griffon vendeen puppy - descriptionKept today essentially as a domestic pet, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is a strongly built dog, a rough-coated scent hound of medium size standing at roughly 39 to 45cm in height and weighing 18 to 20kg.

The coat is medium length, shaggy and wiry. It is essentially white with orange markings. Sometimes he can be tri-colored, having a combination orange, black or tan markings. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen’s coat is double with a thick, weather-resistant undercoat and a rough, harsh topcoat. In addition to regular brushing, this breed’s coat needs to be hand-stripped once a year.

His legs are straight, and he is longer than he is tall. He is a deep chested dog with long ears and a long tail. He is also noted for his mustache and beard with long eyebrows.

Temperament:

Your Grand Basset is a courageous, happy, confident dog, active and having great stamina.

He is a social, pack dog so he will be wanting plenty of time spent with his owner, failing which the owner should invest in another dog too. He will get on great with children and he is also a pet-friendly breed who will get on well with cats too. He is sharp and alert and responds well to training and socialization.

Characteristics

greek sheepdog dog - characteristicsYour Greek Shepherd is an intelligent, independent dog who likes to show his loyalty and devotion to his owner.

He is a protective dog too and when trained and socialized makes an excellent family pet. These Molosser type dogs are formidable dogs known for their bravery and courage.

They're the type of dogs who like a strong leader-type of owner and when he gets someone who he can look up to as his leader, he becomes a loyal, devoted pet.

grand basset griffon vendeen dog - characteristicsThis long-backed, short legged hunting dog has a happy, confident personality.

While he was used originally for hunting, he is now commonly kept as a companion dog. He is energetic and independent and will require you having him join you for walks and a ball game too.

Non-aggressive and adaptable he can live in the city or in the countryside so long as he receives plenty of attention and love – then he'll be a splendid pet.

Health Problems

greek sheepdog puppies - health problemsWith good care and lots of love, this dog can live to be between 10 to 12 years of age. He is unlikely to get sick very often, but still it it wise to know of some of the health issues than can occur with large breed dogs like this.

Some diseases to look out for include -

Dilated cardiomyopathy:

This is a disease of the heart muscle. The heart is enlarged and unable to have the right heart rhythm. The distended muscle isn't able to push the blood through the heart chambers to where it is needed. Cause for this dilated heart can be genetic, nutritional, infectious or metabolic.

Because taurine and carnitine are involved in good heart function, and low levels of these amino acids can cause symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy, supplementation is useful, especially if you feel your dog isn't getting in the right kind of food.

Lyme Disease:

Borreliosis, a bacterial infection, causes Lyme disease, transmitted by the Ixodes tick. The tick bites the dog and the toxins gets into the dog's bloodstream, with the bacteria travelling to different parts of the body.

Typical symptoms in a dog includes loss of appetite, fever, no energy, swelling of joints and lameness, but symptoms can progress to kidney failure too or cardiac problems. Treatment will include antibiotics.

grand basset griffon vendeen puppies - health problemsThere are some Basset Griffon Vendéens that have reached 17 years of age. This is excellent for these dogs and lifestyle, nutrition and exercise can all play a part in the longevity of any dog.

Generally they live to be 10 to 14 years of age. While he is a pretty robust dog, you'll want to be aware of some of the diseases which may require veterinary intervention -

Cancer:

Cancer is a major cause of death in elderly dogs, but if caught early, the dog can be cured. These cancers can be malignant lymphoma, skin cancer, bone cancer or soft tissue sarcomas. You'll notice a lump on your pet or a wound they won't heal. When you notice your dog not feeling well, get him to the vet.

Cardiac Problems:

A common form of heart disease in dogs is valvular disease, heartworm disease and myocardial disease. The signs of heart disease in your pet will depend on the severity of the disease and type. As heart disease moves on to congestive heart failure, you'll notice symptoms such as difficulty with breathing, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. You need to get your dog immediately to the vet.

Dermatitis:

Dog allergies can be caused by pollen, medications, food or insects. You'll notice your pet scratching, he'll have watery eyes and inflamed skin. This inflammatory condition can cause a lot of agony for your pet, driving him mad with pain and the desire to scratch and lick. Relieve his discomfort by getting him to the vet as soon as possible.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

greek sheepdog dogs - caringThe coat of the Greek Shepherd is fairly long so it will need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep it free from matting and tangling. He is an average shedder and the brushing will remove all loose hairs, keeping the coat sleek and shiny.

Diet:

Feeding your Greek Sheepdog requires giving him top quality food as this will ensure he is healthy and can ward off common dog illnesses. If you're going to be feeding him kibble, make sure to go for the top quality brands, and as a treat for your pet you can add in some brown rice, pasta, brown bread, cooked chicken and vegetables.

Dogs are essentially carnivores and he will need to have some raw meat such as beef added into his kibble from time to time. He should never ever be without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Diet:

grand basset griffon vendeen dogs - caringIf you are going to be feeding your Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen kibble, there are excellent brands that bring out breed-specific formulas for age, size and energy levels of dogs.

Feeding a dog is an individual choice, but good food can increase his longevity. A bit of raw meat mixed into his kibble, or some cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken will be excellent for him. This can be a tasty variety to his diet.

Fresh, cool water must always be available at all times.

Grooming:

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen’s coat is double and the rough, harsh coat will need brushing twice a week and stripped once a year.

Comparison with other breeds

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