Overview
The Grand Bleu de Gascogne is a tall, lean and muscular scenthound from southwest France, bred to hunt in packs. Its mottled black-and-white coat gives a distinctive blue appearance, and its calm, noble bearing is part of the breed's charm.
It is a working hound first and foremost, with a superb nose and a sonorous, far-carrying voice. It suits experienced owners with space, time and a tolerance for noise.
History
The breed descends from very old large hunting hounds that lived alongside the legendary St Hubert Hound and the English Southern Hound. Packs were kept by nobles such as the Comte de Foix in the 14th century and by Henry IV of France around 1600.
General Lafayette sent a pack to George Washington in 1785, and the breed has since had a long presence in North America. It also helped create the Gascon Saintongeois, the Bluetick Coonhound and the Dumfriesshire Hound.
Appearance
A large, rangy hound with long legs, a lean muscular body, a slightly domed head, long drooping ears and loose lips. Adults stand roughly 65 to 72 cm at the shoulder and weigh about 36 to 54 kg, with females a little smaller.
The coat is white heavily mottled with black, which reads as slate blue. Black patches sit on each side of the head, with tan marks above the eyes.
Temperament
Calm, dignified and gentle at home, but single-minded once on a scent. It is truly a pack hound and is happiest with canine company.
It can be stubborn and independent, and its deep howl carries a long way. Early socialisation and patient, reward-based training help.
Care and exercise
This hound needs a lot of daily exercise and room to roam, ideally in a securely fenced area, as it will follow a scent for miles. It is not suited to flats or busy cities.
Grooming is easy: a weekly brush and regular checks of the long ears are enough.
Health
No breed-specific health problems are well documented. As with many large deep-chested dogs, owners should be aware of bloat, and the long ears need regular cleaning to prevent infections.
