Great Gascony Blue

Also known as: Great Gascony Hound

This is believed to be one of the oldest French scenthounds, with roots reaching back to medieval hunts held by nobility in the Gascony region. The distinctive short coat with dense dark speckling over a white base creates the impression often called blue, though it's actually formed by a mix of black and white hairs. A male can weigh up to 35 kilograms, making it one of the larger and heavier French hounds. It was bred to work in packs, following large game trails for hours at a steady, patient pace. Numbers dropped sharply through the 20th century as pack hunting traditions declined in France. Today it's considered rare even in its home country. Life expectancy runs 10 to 12 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Great Gascony Blue: how old in human years?

62–72 cmHeight
30–35 kgWeight
10–12 yrsLife expectancy

Great Gascony-Saintonge Hound

FCI group: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
FCI section: Section 1.1: Scenthounds, Large sized
FCI: 22
Country of origin: France

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 65–72 cm

Females 62–68 cm

Weight

Males 32–35 kg

Females 30–32 kg

Life expectancy

10–12 yrs

Coat

short, mottled ("blue") (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Great Gascony Blue's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Great Gascony Blue's energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 5/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 5/5
Hunting instinct 5/5

Guarding & Alertness

Great Gascony Blue's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 3/5
Barking level 4/5

Grooming & Care

Great Gascony Blue's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 3/5
Grooming need 1/5

Living with the Great Gascony Blue

The first impression is misleading: long ears, a slightly mournful look, an unhurried walk, as if the dog had all day. That impression evaporates the moment its nose finds a trail. The Great Gascony Blue is an old hound from south-western France, bred to hunt in a pack and follow game for a long time, and its deep, ringing voice carries a long way. It needs a lot of exercise: long walks and hikes every day, ideally out in the country.

It is clever but independent, so training takes patience, praise and treats rather than a stern voice. Work on recall from puppyhood and don't expect perfection: once it has a scent, this dog is a hound first. Its prey drive is very strong, so off-lead running is only safe in a fenced area, and cats and small pets should keep their distance. A flat doesn't suit it, and its voice will announce it to the whole street.

At home it is gentle, affectionate and fairly patient, and it gets on well with children and other dogs. It greets strangers calmly, sometimes announces them with its voice, but makes a poor guard. Picture it in the evening after a long hike, stretched across half the hallway: that is its idea of a perfect day. It suits an active family or a hunter best, a house with a large fenced garden and owners who don't mind muddy boots.

Grooming and coat

The Great Gascony Blue is only blue from a distance: up close you can see that the bluish sheen comes from fine black mottling on a white coat. The coat is short and dense, so care is simple: once a week, run a rubber mitt or a bristle brush over it to lift dead hair and dust. It sheds little, dried mud falls off by itself, and a bath is for when you really can't avoid one.

The ears and the muzzle need the most attention. Lift those long, low-hanging ears every week and look inside: redness, discharge or a bad smell is a reason to see a vet. The lips hang, so a drink can leave a few drops on the floor, and the folds around the mouth are worth a wipe. After hikes, check the paws and skin for ticks and scratches, and trim the nails if they don't wear down on their own.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (35 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 400 g of dry food a day, from €21,90 a month For a neutered, normally active 32,3 kg dog. Calculate for your dog