Kuvasz vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Kuvasz vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed ComparisonGriffon Nivernais is originated from France but Kuvasz is originated from Hungary. Griffon Nivernais may grow 14 cm / 5 inches shorter than Kuvasz. Griffon Nivernais may weigh 27 kg / 59 pounds lesser than Kuvasz. Both Griffon Nivernais and Kuvasz has almost same life span. Both Griffon Nivernais and Kuvasz has almost same litter size. Both Griffon Nivernais and Kuvasz requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
undefined
France
Hungary
Height Male:
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
65 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
65 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
22 - 25 kg
48 - 56 pounds
35 - 52 kg
77 - 115 pounds
Weight Female:
22 - 25 kg
48 - 56 pounds
35 - 52 kg
77 - 115 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 6
6 - 8
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Chien Gris de St. Louis, Grey Dogs of St. Louis
Hungarian Kuvasz
Colors Available:
Grey and fawn, black and fawn
White
Coat:
Long, shaggy, coarse
Medium length to long, wavy or straight
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

griffon nivernaisThe Griffon Nivernais is a working breed dog originating in France and used as a hunting dog because of his exceptional scent skills and his alertness with hunting.

The idea was to develop a dog that looked much like the hunting dogs of the Middle Ages. French noblemen kept these dogs but the breed disappeared somewhat after the French Revolution, being restored again in 1925.

The restoration of the breed was done based on the Grand Griffon Vendeen but other breeds were also used such as the Otter- and Foxhounds. The breed has yet to receive official recognition by the AKC but it is recognized by both the FCI and the UKC.

kuvaszThe Kuvasz is an ancient dog breed from Hungary. It is believed that the dog is the oldest of the ancient Hungarian dog breeds, and in fact a fossilized skeleton dating back to the 9th century, and almost identical to the modern Kuvasz, was found near Keszthely.

During the 15th century the Kuvasz became very sought after, being found in royal courts. Puppies were given as royal gifts. Later the popularity of the breed waned and then it was found in its traditional role of guarding livestock.

As Kuvasz numbers dwindled, breeding efforts were started but it is believed that other large dogs such as the Great Pyrenees were used with the Kuvasz to continue with the breeding programs.

In 1884, the first Hungarian standard for the breed was written. It was in 1966 that the Kuvasz Club of America was established.

Description

griffon nivernais puppy - descriptionAs a medium sized dog, the Griffon Nivernais stands at 55 to 62cm in height and weighs between about 22 and 25kg.

He is recognized easily by his distinctive rough or shaggy coat which is a grey with fawn around the muzzle and legs. Other colors can be black and fawn. Sometimes this blend of colors gives him a grizzled look in appearance.

He is also noted for the hairy eyebrows, a beard and mustache. He has dark brown eyes, black nose, long floppy ears and a tail that is held upright and with a slight curve. He is a muscular dog with a deep chest and a slight arch in the back.

Temperament:

Stubborn, courageous and independent, the Griffon Nivernais is a hunting dog with amazing scenting abilities. He is a dog used to working in a pack with other dogs so he tolerates other dogs well. He is a friendly dog, getting on well with children as well.

kuvasz puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Kuvasz is a large, muscled dog standing at 65 – 76cm in height and weighing 35 – 52kg. He has a double coat of dense white hair which can be straight or wavy.

It is natural for the dog to lose most of the long coat during the Summer months. In other words this dog has a seasonal coat.

The nose is black, the eyes brown and alert, the ears are of medium length and floppy and the tail is carried long and low.

Temperament:

The Kuvasz is an intelligent dog who will benefit from training and socialization. It is always wise to have large dogs like this trained because just his size can cause problems if he isn’t obedient.

He is also described as a clownish type of dog which means he’ll entertain and amuse you. Certainly he is playful as a puppy but he calms down quite a bit as he grows into maturity. He is independent, and those who have owned such a dog report that he can be loving and loyal with his human family, wanting to guard and protect them. Others will say that he tended to be aloof, even with his human family.

Used as working dogs, the Kuvasz has learned to be independent and they will need a firm, strong owner who is also fair with them, otherwise they just do their own thing. They’re active dogs and because of their size they won’t suit city living where there is a tiny garden.

Characteristics

griffon nivernais dog - characteristicsYour Griffon Nivernais is a sociable, stubborn, independent dog who loves to be around his human family members.

Socialization and training will do him good and round him off, making him obedient and responsive to your commands. He isn't an aggressive dog, but is even tempered and confident.

Exercise him well, feed him quality food, give him a nice warm, dry place to sleep, just like any other family member of yours, and you'll be rewarded with the companionship of a faithful, loving friend.

kuvasz dog - characteristicsKuvasz are guarding dogs, they’re intelligent and loyal, making them excellent family dogs with the right training and socialization.

They’re able to get on well with other pets in the home as well as children. He is a beautiful dog and another bonus is that he isn’t particularly high maintenance.

As is common with many other large-breed dogs, he will have a shorter lifespan than what you’d get with a smaller dog breed, but if you feed him high quality food, exercise him and involve him in your activities, this large dog can become a wonderful friend and protector for you.

Health Problems

griffon nivernais puppies - health problemsThe typical lifespan for your Griffon Nivernais is 10 to 14 years. Even though you're highly unlikely to spend much time with him at the vet, there are one or two common dog illnesses worth knowing about -

Ear Infections:

It is the fate of many dogs with floppy ears that they are prone to developing ear infections. You may notice him shaking his head canine, his ears may be red and there could even be a discharge.Get him to the vet as ear infections can be promptly treated with a course of medication.

Immunizations:

Remember to have your Griffon Nivernais puppy vaccinated at 6 weeks of age. Puppies are vulnerable to horrible diseases which can sap the very life from them. These diseases are distemper, canine hepatitis, parvovirus as well as rabies. The puppy’s first vaccinations should be at 6 weeks of age followed by a second vaccination 2 to 4 weeks later.

kuvasz puppies - health problemsThe large Kuvasz is a healthy dog breed that with good care can reach 12–14 years of age. Being the large dog that he is, he may well be prone to bone and joint problems. It is why good nutrition is so important for this dog - feeding him the best food with vitamins and minerals.

You know the saying ...you are what you eat... and this applies to dogs too. Good food can help to ward off serious illnesses. Big dogs like this often have to contend with hip dysplasia which can be both painful and debilitating as well as eye diseases.

Entropion:

This is where the eyelid of the dog rolls inwards, causing irritation and pain for the dog. There is also Ectropion, where the eyelid rolls outwards.If you see your pet has a red eye which is watery and which has pus, visit your vet. Entropion surgery will correct and repair and condition.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

griffon nivernais dogs - caringThis breed needs to be walked daily, and he needs a large space to run and play. Take him on walks, to the park, or give him a good game with ropes and balls.

Grooming:

In spite of his long, shaggy coat, the Griffon Nevernais doesn't need any special grooming and his shaggy coat will require brushing twice a week to remove loose hairs. When you brush him, you can also check for fleas and ticks.You get special flea combs for this. You can speak to your vet about recommendations too.

Because his coat is of a harsh texture it doesn't tangle or matt. Bathing will only be necessary when he becomes super dirty as too much bathing removes natural oils. He will need to have his nails trimmed if they don't wear down naturally, and he will also need to have his ears cleaned to keep them free of wax and dirt and to prevent ear infections.

Brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week will also help towards preventing dental disease.

Diet:

He is a high energy dog so he will need to get top quality food. You can feed him the best commercially manufactured food but its to his advantage to include some home-made food too such as cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables. He'll also need some raw meat from time to time and a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

kuvasz dogs - caringThe coat may be fairly long and thick but it doesn’t require any special kind of grooming. A good brush twice a week will be adequate and will help with getting rid of stubborn knots and matting.

He is a seasonal shedder and this frequent brushing will make sure the coat remains groomed and shiny.

General Care:

The Kuvasz is a hardy breed who just loves the outdoors. He is a dog that doesn’t do well in the heat. Make absolutely sure that he has a cool, sheltered spot where he can lie down. Ensure that there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.

Diet:

There is quite a bit of conflict and controversy regarding nutrition in dogs. The idea is to keep it simple. If you buy a commercially manufactured dog food, check the ingredients on the packaging.

You want to be sure your pet is getting vitamins and minerals in instead of preservatives, fillers and colorants. Try and give him some home made food too such as some chicken, brown rice or pasta and some vegetables. You can mix this into his dry kibble occasionally with a little bit of raw meat too when you have.

Avoid feeding your dog things such as chocolates, nuts, onions, sweets and chips.

Comparison with other breeds

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