Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Cypro Kukur - Breed Comparison

The Cypro Kukur is an ancient dog breed which originated in the Kumaon area of India. It is interesting to note that the name Cypro Kukur translates to Cyprus Dog, but the dog doesn’t appear to have originated in Cyprus.

The dog was used to guard livestock. It has a history that goes right back to about 300 years BC. The true history of this dog is shrouded in mystery and there are researchers who believe that foreign explorers to the Cyprus region imported these Kumaon watchdogs. There are those who believe the dog descended from the Molosser dog breeds.

The dog is also known as the Indian Mastiff or Kumaon Mastiff, but it is facing extinction with just a small number of pure Cypro Kukur remaining in the area. Today, however, there appears to be quite a large number of the dogs in Europe.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen hails from France. They have always been used to hunt game by scent. This dog has always been appreciated for its independence and the fact that is is mentally focused and fit.

These dogs, referred to as the PBGV descend from the larger Griffon Vendeen, which comes in four distinct sizes. The first official French standard for this dog was published in 1898. It was in 1909 that a revised standard for the dog recognized two distinct varieties.

The first PBGVs were imported to the United States in 1983 and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Club of America was founded in 1984.

The Cypro kukur is a large dog standing at anything from 70 – 90 cm and also weighing in the region of 70 – 90kg. He has an attractively lean, muscled body. He has a large head with a strong neck and floppy ears. The tail is long. The short, thick coat is a light fawn color with brindle markings or he can be white with black marking.

Temperament:

The Cypro Kukur is an aggressive dog breed and that is why he was used to guard livestock to ward off wild animals. He makes an excellent guard dog. However with training and socialization he makes an excellent family pet, becoming friendly and obedient around other pets and people.

Both male and female dogs are much the same in size, standing at between 32 and 40cm and weighing between 15 to 20 kilograms.

These are solid dogs with fairly short legs and a harsh double coat that is medium length and rough. The coloring is essentially white with patches of orange, lemon, tan or black. The dog has a general tousled appearance with quite a bit of hair around the face. The ears are set low and are floppy while the tail is medium length and held high.

Temperament:

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a friendly, social, outgoing dog that is good with children and other dogs. He is stubborn and should be trained and socialized so that he is well mannered around people and so that he also obeys simple commands.

They are quite noisy dogs, ‘talking’ to other dogs with a howl and bark.

The large Cypro Kukur is a fairly aggressive dog who makes for an excellent guard- or watch dog. It is important to have this dog trained and socialized as he can be aggressive.

He may be large and intimidating to look at with some aggressive tendencies, but with training they can become domesticated and then he has the capability of becoming quiet, well behaved and obedient.

If you’re looking for a large, loyal friend, then choose the Cypro Kukur, as with socialization he can make a good and loyal family pet.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is known for his amicable characteristics. They’re also intelligent, curious dogs and will respond well to training and socialization.

Apart from getting on well with children in the home, they also get on well with other dogs. They’re independent and strong willed and can be inclined to bark a bit to make himself known. It is why he is best suited to a home in the suburbs or countryside where his barking won’t disturb close-living neighbors, although training and socialization should change this habit. With training, this dog can become a most wonderful friend and pet.

The Cypro Kukur can live to be 10 – 12, but he is a large dog and there will be some health concerns that your dog may never develop but are worth knowing about. These are Hip Dysplasia and Gastric Torsion.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip dysplasia is one of the most commonly occurring conditions that dogs have to contend with so it is worth knowing about.

It is an hereditary disease that progressively gets worse with age. Your dog can be uncomfortable and in pain. Canine hip dysplasia is when the head of the femur bone doesn’t fit properly into the hip socket. Veterinarians tell us that most dogs are actually born with normal hip joints, but that gradual subluxation brings about the development of abnormally shaped hip joints.

Gastric Torsion:

Gastric dilatation volvulus is another name for gastric torsion, a medical condition also referred to as a twisted stomach.

Excess gas causes what is known as bloat and its a life-threatening condition that will require immediate attention from your vet.

You’ll notice your pet’s stomach is swollen, your dog will have difficulty with breathing and he may be vomiting. It is a disease brought on by a number of factors.

Average longevity of these dogs is about 12, 13, or 14 years if he gets looked after well.

Eyes and joints are always a problem with the Petit and several of the eye diseases dogs get can actually lead to blindness.

Corneal wounds are fairly common in dogs. The cornea can be injured and lacerations can damage the eye. You’ll see your pet rubbing at the affected eye.

Hip joints can cause lameness and pain. Dogs can develop hip and joint problems at any age. Joint problems can be better eliminated by providing the dog with good nutrition and exercise. If your dog is obese, joint problems can be more severe. Weight loss can reduce the signs of joint pain in dogs.

Exercise:

This is a large dog and he will require an adequate amount of exercise. He is the kind of dog that isn’t recommended for couch potatoes. He will need to join you in your walks every day, or you can allow him to join you with your jogging or cycling.

Grooming:

The short coat of this large dog is easy to care for. He is a moderate shedder so a good brush twice a week will be all he needs to remove loose hairs and keep his coat healthy and shiny. Brushing him gives you the chance to check him for fleas and ticks too.

Other grooming for the Cypro Kukur should include trimming his nails and brushing his teeth twice a week with canine-approved toothbrush and toothpaste. Make a point of checking inside his ears as dogs with floppy ears are prone towards ear infections.

These are active dogs and they will like a daily walk to burn off some of their excess energy. They can adapt to living in the city or the countryside but they will certainly need to receive exercise wherever they are. Buy him some toys and a ball and throw it for him – this can be a wonderful form of exercise for your 4-legged friend.

Grooming:

They need to be brushed at least twice a week to avoid matting and tangles. Some people opt to have the coat stripped. This is either done by hand or with a special stripping tool. Some dog owners prefer to hand the dog in for a professional cut, but this can alter the texture of the coat.

Because of the floppy ears, they will need regular ear cleanings to prevent ear infections brought about by dirt, wax and moisture within the ear.

He will also need to have his paw nails clipped. He can’t tell you about aching teeth, so do your canine friend a favor and check inside his mouth to ensure that all his teeth are still in tip top condition. Bad teeth can cause all kinds of illnesses and even affect the heart and kidneys.

Diet:

The nutritional needs of your Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen are very important if your want your pet to enjoy good health.

Vitamins and minerals are an essential part of his nutrition, and luckily the top quality commercially manufactured dog foods see to it that the food has essential nutrients in them. With the best ones, your pet can expect a balanced diet.

Try and avoid the lower quality foods as these have toxic fillers and unhealthy ingredients in them that can make your pet sick.

Give him some home-made food too. You can chop this food up and mix it into his kibble occasionally to give him a healthy tasty treat. The best thing about dogs as pets is that they love their food to be simple and nutritious. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some healthy vegetables such as spinach, carrots and sweet potato will do him the world of good.

If you can, a little bit of raw meat from time to time can also be excellent for him. Make sure he is never without a bowl of fresh, cool water.