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Breed Characteristics
1 paw - breed exhibits the least amount of this characteristic
5 paws - breed exhibits most amount of this characteristic
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Grand Bleu de Gascogne
| Other Names | Great Gascony Hound |
| Country of Origin | France |
| Weight | 70.5 - 77 lbs. (32 - 35 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 25 - 28.5 in. (64- 72 cm) Females: 23.5 27 in. (60 - 68 cm) |
| Coat | Short and thick |
| Colour | Mottled black and white |
| Litter Size | 6 - 10 puppies, average 8 |
| Life Span | 10 - 12 years |
| Origin & History | The Grand Bleu de Gascogne may descend from dogs left by Phoenician traders, its ancestors were contemporaries with the St Hubert Hound and English Southern Hound, Comte de Foix kept a pack in the 14th century and Henry IV of France kept a pack in the late 16th & early 17th centuries. The Grand Bleu de Gascogne has a long history in the US, the first dogs were bred there in the 18th century, there are now more Grand Bleu's in the US than France. General Lafayette presented a pack of seven Grand Bleus to George Washington in 1785, who compared their melodious voices to the bells of Moscow. The Grand Bleu de Gascogne is noted for its focus on the hunt as well as a good nose and distinctive sonorous, deep howl, the breed is "instinctively a pack hound". In the past it was used to hunt deer, wolves and boar, in the field it is considered a rather slow and ponderous worker and today is predominantly used to hunt hares. The Grand Bleu de Gascogne has had a significant influence on the development of several breeds of Scenthounds, after the French Revolution it was used to revitalise the old Saintongeois, creating the Gascon Saintongeois, the Bluetick coonhound is considered a direct descendant of the Grand Bleu. The Grand Bleu de Gascogne was used by Sir John Buchanan-Jardine in the development of the Dumfriesshire Hound, in Britain any native hound with a blue marbled coat are still referred to as 'Frenchies' after this breed. |
| Personality | Dogs of this breed should show an attitude of calm strength and nobleness. Temperament of individual dogs may vary. |
Care Requirements
| Health | There are no known breed-specific health concerns. |
| Grooming | Their short, dense, smooth coats make them easy to care for. The large ears and flews need regular attention to protect them from infection. |
| Exercise | This breed needs long daily walks, but remember that it will take off after any interesting scent when it is off its lead. If this happens, put a piece of your clothing or something with your scent on it near where the dog disappeared and you will most likely find the dog in that spot in a few hours or at least by morning. |
| Other Considerations | This breed would not do well in an urban environment as they are very vocal and need room to run around, ideally in a completely fenced off backyard. |
