Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Cockachon - Breed Comparison

The Cockachon is not a pure bred dog but rather a cross between the Cocker Spaniel and the Bichon Frise. Very little if anything is known about who initially developed the Cockachon. It is known that the International Designer Canine Association (IDCA)registered and recognized the hybrid in 2009.

It is obviously a relatively new cross breed. The hybrid is also recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) and the Designer Dog Kennel Club (DDKC).

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.

The Cockachon is a cute, little dog very popular in current times. He is small, compact, dark eyes, a round head and black nose. He has a baby face and fluffy hair. It has a furry tail and a blunt muzzle.

The Cockachon is a mix between the American Cocker Spaniel and the Bichon Frise. In order to get a better idea of what the hybrid can look like just look at the individual parents. The American Cocker Spaniel is a small dog with a short muzzle and domed head. It is in the Sporting Group, but it is the smallest member of the group. He has a compact, sturdy body and though domed his head is refined.

The Cocker’s stance includes a sloping topline, muscular hindquarters and strong shorter legs adds up to a balanced canine. The coat can be in a wide variety of colors including liver, golden, black, and red. Also, it could be liver and tan, black and tan, roan or tricolors. So, while the Bichon Frise is always white the Cockachon can be any of these colors including white. The types of coats that the Cocker Spaniel and the Bichon Frise have are very different as well.

The Bichon Frise is also a small dog, actually smaller than the American Cocker. The Cockachon usually ends up being about the size of the Bichon at 5-10 kg in weight and 23-30 cm in height. The skull of the Bichon Frise is round rather than domed and the muzzle is also rounded. The tail is long and curly while the Cocker would usually have a cropped tail. The nose and eyes of the Bichon Frise are black and its hair is dense and curly. Unlike the Cocker Spaniel it barely sheds.

Many Cockachon have floppy ears, curly coats and come in any variety of colors though many, many are white.

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.

People created the Cockachon to get a small, lap or carry dog that had certain characteristics. These characteristics included a very social, loving dog. He is active and friendly, sweet and gentle. He is loyal, and loves being loved. He is great with other dogs and you can trust him with your children. He is a little independent but very loyal.

Like many little dogs he can have serious separation anxiety. Crate training is recommended so that he has a place to feel safe when you are not with him.

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.

Hybrid dogs seldom have a lot of inherited diseases as they seem to jump a generation but if they do, it can be either a combination of both breeds issues or issues from just one of the breeds in the cross. For the Cockachon these issues include:

Luxating Patella

This loose kneecap issue is common to many small dogs and can cause lameness if not addressed.

• Eye & Ear Problems

Eyelid problems such as the ones that might bother a Cockachon can be found in many small dogs. These include Entropion and Ectropion.

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

Don’t overfeed a Cockachon. Give him ¾ -1.5 cups of dry food of high quality in two meals per day.

Health issues

In addition to the issues listed above, the Cockachon is also prone to heart disease and cardiac issues.

Exercise and games

The Cockachon has a lot of energy for its size. Make sure it gets plenty of exercise. If walks are the exercise of your choice make sure you walk him for 30 minutes a day. He loves to play, and a back yard would be nice. These little guys do well in obedience but are usually to small for agility.

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.