Griffon Fauve de Bretagne vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison

Griffon Fauve de Bretagne vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed ComparisonBulgarian Shepherd is originated from Bulgaria but Griffon Fauve de Bretagne is originated from France. Bulgarian Shepherd may grow 19 cm / 8 inches higher than Griffon Fauve de Bretagne. Bulgarian Shepherd may weigh 36 kg / 80 pounds more than Griffon Fauve de Bretagne. Bulgarian Shepherd may live 44 years more than Griffon Fauve de Bretagne. Bulgarian Shepherd may have more litter size than Griffon Fauve de Bretagne. Both Bulgarian Shepherd and Griffon Fauve de Bretagne requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
undefined
Bulgaria
France
Height Male:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
48 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
Height Female:
63 - 72 cm
24 - 29 inches
48 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
45 - 57 kg
99 - 126 pounds
17 - 21 kg
37 - 47 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 52 kg
88 - 115 pounds
17 - 21 kg
37 - 47 pounds
Life Span:
45 - 57 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
2 - 6
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Karakachan Shepherd Dog, Karakachan
GFB, Grand Fauve de Bretagne, Fawn Brittany Griffon
Colors Available:
BlackWhiteTricolor
tawny, Golden, orange, sandy
Coat:
Single
Longish, shaggy, coarse
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

bulgarian shepherdThe Bulgarian Shepard Dog comes from the ancient line of Molossers of Central Asia and Tibet, and the shepherds of the Balkans, Turkey and Caucasus. Among the oldest and most valued of the working dogs of Europe, the Bulgarian Shepherd breed was created by mixing the Balkan breeds with the dogs from Central Asia by the proto-Bulgarians around the 7th century. The Karakachanskoto Kuche was introduced to Bulgaria and accepted by the sheep herders. Mixing this breed in with the Balkan and Central Asian mix developed the Bulgarian Shepherd we know today. In the long run the original Karakachanskoto Kuche became extinct, replaced entirely by the Bulgarian Shepherd even in places where the new breed is still called by the Kuche name. Although the breeds are not the same, most of the dog world does not know the difference.

In Bulgaria however the Karakachan is a national treasure and the history of the breed runs deep. One Kuche could run up to 1200 animals and hundreds were used by the herdsmen in the mountains of Bulgaria. There were many regional types of Bulgarian Shepherds with very little difference between those types. These dogs were so prized by the shepherds that the dogs ate first before the people. The dogs however ate a vegetarian diet of milk, wheat, water and oats. The Bulgarian Shepherd lives a long life of often over 20 years. The Bulgarian Army made good use of these dogs early in the 20th century.

Following World War II, the wolves were close to extinction and property in Bulgaria was nationalized. There was no longer a need for a large force of working dogs. The Communist government exterminated large numbers of sheep dogs including the Bulgarian Shepherd. Only those species on government owned farms and in remote regions survived. When the government farms were disbanded in the early 20th century, these dogs were exterminated as well. Only those in the mountains survived. Commercial breeding of the Bulgarian Shepherd in the end of the century has resulted in controversy as other breeds came into the breeding program.

Use of breeds such as Sarplaninacs, Caucasian Ovcharkas, St. Bernards, Central Asian Ovcharkas and Bosnian Tornjaks in these programs resulted in Bulgarian Shepherd or Karakachans that were a lot different from the original breed. There is therefore some concern about the future of the breed in Bulgaria, yet they received official Bulgarian national recognition in 2000. Today’s Bulgarian Shepherd is a guard dog for both property and livestock.

The official standard for the breed came about in 1991 and in 2005 it was recognized by the Bulgarian State Commission for Animal Breeds. Only those dogs that meet this standard are considered “true” Karakachans. The Bulgarian Shepherds are willing to fight bears and wolves in defense of its family and flock. The dog is brave and loyal, dignified and powerful. They are recognized by both the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) and the Bulgarian Republican Federation of Cynology (BRFC) a member of the FCI.

griffon fauve de bretagneThe Griffon Fauve de Bretagne is one of the oldest scenthounds in France and has always been part of a pack when hunting wolves and wild boar.

Once wolves started dying out in the 19th century and the dogs were no longer needed, they nearly became extinct. Luckily in 1949, Marcel Pambrun founded the Club de Fauve de Bretagne to bring the breed back from extinction.

Hailing from France, the dog is still used as a hunting dog in the country but is considered rare outside of Europe.

Description

bulgarian shepherd puppy - descriptionA massive, powerful and muscular Molosser, the Bulgarian Shepherd is strong, agile, powerful and fast. They are intelligent and reliable. They have a long, thick, harsh coat in white with patches of black. Their skull is massive and broad with a furrowed forehead. The muzzle is massive as well while the nose has wide nostrils and is fairly large. It has close fitting, thick lips with strong, scissor bite jaws. The Bulgarian Shepherd’s eyes are deep, oblique and small. They are either hazel or dark. They have an intelligent and confident, yet firm almost grim expression.

Their ears are low set, small and v-shaped. They sit close to the head which sits on a powerful but short neck. They have a broad back, well-muscled body with a deep chest and long, rough tail. Their gait is a trot with a spring in their step. There are two types of coats – longhaired and shorthaired with no undercoats.

griffon fauve de bretagne puppy - descriptionGriffon Fauve de Bretagne are medium-sized muscular dogs standing at between 48 to 56cm and weighing in the region of 17 to 21 kg.

The fur of this dog is a tawny, golden, orange shade and is shaggy and coarse, being longer around the face. Known also as the Fawn Brittany Griffon, this scenthound has floppy ears and a long tail carried somewhat up and in a slight curve.

Temperament:

The GFB as he is also sometimes known by, is an affectionate and loyal dog that loves spending time with his human family.

He is a social, friendly dog, and when he is socialized and trained, he becomes even more amicable. He has been bred as a working dog and while he loves to spend relaxing hours indoors, he is essentially a dog that loves to be out and about chasing after prey.

He is alert and intelligent and therefore makes a good watchdog. Your Griffon is energetic and active and will require lots of exercise. He will love coming on walks with you, but this won't be enough and he will require ball- and rope games as well as the chance to join you on your jogging or cycling outings.

Characteristics

bulgarian shepherd dog - characteristicsThis is a working dog, intelligent and independent guard dog. Reserved around strangers but loyal and devoted with his family. Tolerant of children in their family if they were raised with them. Not only will she defend human family members, she will guard and defend household pets as well. He is quite capable of making her own independent decisions. These are very intense guard dogs that will respond aggressively if they think their people are being attacked.

griffon fauve de bretagne dog - characteristicsYou won't find a better canine friend than the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne, once known as the Grand Fauve de Bretagne.

They have always loved their role as working- and hunting dog but when they're in the company of their human owners, they are loyal and loving, wanting to please.

This good nature of theirs sees them getting on well with other pets in the home as well as with children.Your golden Griffon Fauve De Bretagne is such a friendly, sociable dog and this is what makes him such a popular and sought after family pet.

Health Problems

bulgarian shepherd puppies - health problemsThe breed itself is known to be healthy but they do face some of the usual health issues of the massive, giant breeds. This includes knee and elbow dislocation; hip dysplasia; bloat; entropion and osteosarcoma. All of these conditions require medical intervention, but bloat and osteosarcoma are the deadliest. Bloat needs immediate attention and osteosarcoma is a deadly bone cancer.

griffon fauve de bretagne puppies - health problemsCapable of reaching 10 to 13 years of age with good care, the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne isn't likely to cause you too much concern with dog illnesses, but there are those common dog illnesses that are worth knowing about because they affect so many dogs.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is such a common dog ailment that it requires mentioning every time. It's a condition where the hip joint bones don't fit properly, resulting in unnatural wear and tear which ultimately leads to pain and arthritis.

Sometimes it takes a while for the illness to become evident and you'll notice your pet being loathe to take part in the games he loves so much or battling to get up after lying down. It can start in a young dog and will require vet intervention.

Keep an eye on your dog for other common illnesses such as eye diseases, skin allergies and bloat, a disease which can be life-threatening and where the stomach of your dog swells up.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

bulgarian shepherd dogs - caringThese are large dogs with large appetites, but you want to keep them lean and active. Feed them at least twice a day with a high quality large or giant dog dry food. Four to five cups of food per day is the maximum.

Health issues

Patellar Luxation – a floating kneecap or dislocated knee. Will cause lameness.

Bloat - distended or twisted stomach. Can cause death.

Osteosarcoma – bone cancer must be treated immediately as it is potentially fatal.

Entropion – eye issues when the eyelid turns inward and damages the eye.

Hip Dysplasia – May cause lameness and arthritis.

Exercise and games

The Bulgarian Shepherd needs a good amount of exercise every day. Remember this is a working breed and they need a job. Long walks every day are essential for his well-being.

Grooming:

griffon fauve de bretagne dogs - caringYour GFB, with his shaggy coat, will need a brush a couple of times a week and nothing much more, being looked upon as a fairly low maintenance breed.

He will require you checking inside his ears to ensure he is free of infection. You will need to have his nails trimmed if he doesn't wear them down himself and he will need to have his teeth brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week with special dog toothpaste- and toothbrush.

General Care:

As a medium sized dog, the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne will need a high-quality dog food full of all the right vitamins and minerals to ensure health and a long life.

He is a hunting dog so you want to make sure that protein is listed high on the ingredients list of his food packaging. You can vary his diet by adding in homemade fare such as cooked chicken, rice and vegetables and you can also try to include some raw meat into his diet too. This raw meat plays an important role in preventing skin allergies.

Never leave him without a bowl of fresh, cool water.

Ensure your 4-legged friend has a nice dry, warm spot with clean blankets to sleep on.

Comparison with other breeds

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