Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison

The Bichon Bolognese is one of 4 types of Bichon breeds the others being the Havense, the Bichon Frise and the Maltese. The Lowchen and the Coton de Tulear are also listed in this grouping at times. The Bolognese was developed in Italy and is a small, companion animal. They are named after the city of Bologna in Northern Italy. The Bichon Bolognese is considered a toy dog and are considered an ancient breed that lived with Italian nobility. Their precise ancestry is not known and the Maltese is considered its closest relative. They have been known to exist since at least 1200.

The Bichon Bolognese is found in many works of art throughout the centuries. They were the favorite of many an Italian artist since the 17th century including Titian, Watteau, Gosse and Goya. They were known to be owned by Duke Frederico Gonzaga, Madame De Pompadour, Catherine the Great of Russia and Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. Cosimo de Medici gave eight Bolognese to Belgian noblemen. The Duke d’Este was given two as a gift.

Of all the Bichon group – the Bolognese is the hardest to find and the best problem solver. They read body language amazingly well, stick with their owners and are attentive and devoted. Liz Stannard brought them to England in 1990 and they were entered in the breed registry that same year and joined the show ring cycle in 2001. By 2002 they were shown at Crufts, England’s International Dog Show.

The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a scenthound dog originating in France where he has always been used as a hunting dog.

The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a descendant of the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. This dog was developed around the 16th century already, with the numbers of the dog being reduced at the time of the World Wars.

They’re quite well known in France, but not in any other parts of the world. The dog is an official member of the UKC, and it was in 1991 that the dog joined their scent hound group.

Like the other members of the Bichon group, the Bolognese is a compact, little white dog. It is considered a member of the toy group and is stocky in its build. It is a muscled, square dog of medium length with an ovoid skull and large, square, black muzzle. The jaw is well developed, and they have black lips, black nose and black eyelids. They have a straight muzzle with a strong, aligned bite and its eyes are round and wide. They have long, high set ears that hang down to a rigid base. The coat is white, long and shorter only at the muzzle. The coat is fluffy but not fringed.

The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a medium to large sized dog which stands at between 52 to 58cm in height at the withers and weighs in the region of 18 to 22kg.

In fact, the only difference between the Petit Bleu de Gascogne and the original Bleu de Gascogne is its size. They’re well proportioned dogs and they have lean, muscular bodies. The head is long and slim, the nose black, the expression gentle and unthreatening.

Most times you’ll find a black patch on each side of the head which extends to the ears so that the ears are essentially black. The patch also extends to around the eyes.

The dense, short coat is a typical trademark feature, with the color of the coat being white mottled with black so that the general appearance is a slate blue color. The dog usually has tan eyebrows over each eye. The tail is long and the ears long and floppy.

Temperament:

Kept essentially as a pet today, the Petit Bleu de Gascogne has kept its hunting instincts and is an excellent scent-dog, being able to follow a scent for miles. It is why you want to ensure that as a pet, you take him on regular walks, every day in fact. He just loves to get out, and given the chance to run and chase a scent.

Apart from his hunting skills, he still makes an excellent pet, being loyal and loving with his human family. He is looked upon as being amicable and well-balanced, getting on well with children as well as dogs in the home.

They’re quite laid-back and friendly, so they don’t make particularly good watchdogs. They are independent and intelligent and will respond well to training and socialization.

These little white dogs with the shaggy hair are intelligent, loving, playful, loyal, and happy to do whatever you ask them to. They are more reserved than their relative the Bichon Frise. They are great at obedience training and seem to love it. They learn quickly and love to please you, yet they can also be very stubborn. Like the Bichon Frise, they are difficult to housebreak. They need to be with their people who they will develop bad habits and a bad attitude. They are bred to be companion dogs. If socialized when young they are great with strangers after you have indicated that the strangers are ok. They are barking watchdogs but not continuous barkers. They get along with other dogs but are ok by themselves as well. They do get separation anxiety when their people are gone for extended periods of time. They can be very serious and docile, but they love to be with people. They are very loyal and very bonded to their family.

Be sure you are the pack leader as they can acquire Small Dog Syndrome. With this syndrome the dog comes to believe he is the alpha and the humans are his pack. This causes many kinds of problems with behavior including howling when not getting attention, their separation anxiety and destructiveness can also come from this.

The Petit Bleu de Gascogne just loves being outdoors, chasing the scent of something interesting. He is in his element outside as a hunting or tracking dog.

Training and socialization will always be a good idea for these dogs, as once on the scent he may be inclined to ignore your calls and not return easily.

They’re easy-going dogs, loving be around their human family. Provide well for him and you will find that he makes an amicable, loyal and devoted companion.

Like others in the Bichon group, they have moving kneecaps (luxating patella’s). They also have some eye conditions. They should be tested for any genetic issues, although the breed is a very healthy one and they do not usually have major health issues.

The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a healthy dog with no unusual health problems being documented. With good care, he can generally live to be 11, 12 or 13 years of age. Nonetheless it is a good idea to be aware of some of the horrible dog illnesses that can strike, even though it is highly unlikely.

Bloat:

Your Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a deep chested dog and this simply means it can develop bloat. A swollen stomach, lethargy and trying to vomit are just some of the signs of this ailment which can become deadly if not attended to. The stomach can twist with bloat and this is when things get serious.

Ear Infections:

Floppy eared dogs are always at risk of ear infections and these can be painful for your pet. You will notice him scratching at his ears or shaking his head and then its time to investigate further for redness or discharge.

Feeding

Like other toy breeds do not overfeed the Bolognese. Feed them ¼ of a cup of high quality dry food once a day. Treats are often used for training just be judicious with them.

Health issues

They are very healthy with a propensity toward: Moving kneecaps (Luxating patella)

Hip Dysplasia

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease – This causes the thigh bones to shrink due to a loss of blood supply. It can be repaired surgically.

Periodontal Disease due to their small mouth size.

Exercise and games

They need to walk everyday but they can be couch potatoes. One long 20-minute walk will do or a couple 10-minute walks.

While Bolognese are perfectly happy to lounge around the house, they should also have a daily walk.[7] A suitable walk would be around 20–25 minute a couple of times a day or substitute 10-minute walks a few times a day. They love to play off-lead, whether its in the house or in a fenced in yard or dog park.

Grooming:

Luckily the Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a fairly low maintenance dog who will basically require a good brush twice a week to rid him of loose hairs and to keep his coat nice and shiny.

Take the time while brushing him to test for any unusual lumps on his body. Check inside his ears too, because as a floppy eared dog, there can be a build-up of wax, debris and dampness and these can all cause bacteria and an ear infection.

Check his eyes too as well as inside his mouth. He can’t tell you when he’s got terrible tooth ache from a rotting tooth and you need to check for this. Bad teeth can cause all kinds of health issues.

Diet:

There are some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods on the market which have got the vitamins and minerals your pet needs. Some of the lower quality foods have got bad ingredients such as colorants and fillers and these can actually be toxic for your pet.

It’s always wise to add a little bit of home-made food into your pet’s diet and then simple, nutritious foods such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach can do him the world of good. Just chop it up and add it into the dried kibble every other night when you feed your pet. A bit of raw meat occasionally can also be healthy for him.

Always ensure there’s a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.

Ensure your pet has a nice comfortable, dry place to sleep.

Never ever leave your pet alone in a hot car.

Make sure your puppy has his puppy vaccines to avoid some life-threatening diseases.

Have your dog spayed or neutered to avoid unwanted puppies.