Petit Gascon Saintongeois

This is a smaller version of the Great Gascony Saintonge Hound, developed in the 20th century to produce a dog better suited to hunting hare rather than large game. A male can weigh up to 22 kilograms, and the short coat needs minimal grooming. Though smaller than its namesake, it kept a similar build and the same distinctive voice hunters once used to track the pack's position through the forest. It was bred specifically for pack work, so an individually kept dog often seems unsettled without other dogs around. It remains largely unknown outside France, used almost exclusively within hunting clubs. Life expectancy runs 11 to 13 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Petit Gascon Saintongeois: how old in human years?

50–60 cmHeight
18–22 kgWeight
11–13 yrsLife expectancy

Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie

FCI group: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
FCI section: Section 1.2: Scenthounds, Medium sized
FCI: 26
Country of origin: France

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

3/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 52–60 cm

Females 50–58 cm

Weight

Males 20–22 kg

Females 18–20 kg

Life expectancy

11–13 yrs

Coat

short (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Petit Gascon Saintongeois's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 3/5
Good with children 3/5
Good with other dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Petit Gascon Saintongeois's energy and exercise needs are high.

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

Guarding & Alertness

Petit Gascon Saintongeois's guarding and alertness traits are low.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 2/5
Barking level 4/5

Grooming & Care

Petit Gascon Saintongeois's grooming needs are low.

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

Living with the Petit Gascon Saintongeois

When a Petit Gascon Saintongeois picks up the trail of a hare, the whole village hears about it: that deep, ringing voice is a working tool, and it uses it with relish. This is a French scenthound, bred to follow game patiently over long distances, so its nose will always outrank your call. Prey drive and hunting instinct are very strong, so keep it on a lead anywhere unfamiliar and work on recall patiently from puppyhood.

It needs a lot of exercise every day: long walks across fields and through woods, scent games, and a chance to run somewhere safe. It learns reasonably well but has opinions of its own, so short, cheerful sessions with treats and plenty of praise work best. A flat is no place for it: bored and shut in, it will find something to do, and the neighbours will hear about it.

It gets on famously with other dogs, having been bred to hunt in a pack, so a second dog at home usually suits it well. Indoors it is calm and affectionate, a little reserved with strangers, but no guard dog. It is happiest with a hunter or an active family in the countryside, with a fenced garden and long hikes at the weekend.

Grooming and coat

A short, close-lying coat is a gift to anyone whose dog comes home from the woods wearing half a field on its belly. Once the mud dries it mostly falls off by itself, and a weekly once-over with a rubber mitt or a brush brings the shine back. The Petit Gascon Saintongeois sheds little, so you won't find tumbleweeds of hair in the corners, and it only needs a bath when it has rolled in something truly fragrant.

The coat is easy; what lies under it deserves more attention. Those long, hanging ears collect both damp and seeds in the woods, so after every longer walk lift them, look inside and gently wipe the outer part if needed; redness, a bad smell or a lot of head shaking is a reason to see a vet. Check the paws, pads and skin for ticks too, 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 medium breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (22 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.

≈ 280 g of dry food a day, from €15,29 a month For a neutered, normally active 20 kg dog. Calculate for your dog