Description: Basset Bleu De Gascogne
The Basset Bleu De Gascogne is a distinctive French scent hound known for its striking mottled blue coat and long, low-set body. Originating from the Gascogne region in France, this breed has been valued for centuries for its exceptional tracking abilities and gentle temperament. The Basset Bleu De Gascogne is friendly and sociable, making it a good choice for families who appreciate an active, affectionate companion. They typically get along well with children and other dogs, owing to their even-tempered and tolerant nature. While they have moderate exercise needs, regular walks and activities are essential to keep them fit and stimulated. Their coat requires minimal grooming, and they are generally well-suited for novice owners who are willing to provide gentle guidance and consistent training. With their endearing appearance and loyal personality, the Basset Bleu De Gascogne makes a delightful and unique addition to the right household.
Basset Bleu De Gascogne ratings
Properties
The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a distinctive and elegant breed originating from the southwest region of France, particularly from the historic area of Gascony. Known for their striking appearance and melodious voice, these dogs are a part of the larger Bleu de Gascogne family, which also includes the Grand Bleu and Petit Bleu. The Basset Bleu is a scenthound, developed primarily for hunting small game, especially rabbits and hares, utilizing their outstanding sense of smell and persistence on the trail.
The breed features a long, low-to-the-ground body typical of bassets, allowing it to maneuver easily under dense brush. Their legs are short yet strong, and they possess large, drooping ears that can extend past the tip of their nose, enhancing their scent-tracking capability. The coat of the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is short, dense, and weather-resistant, predominantly white mottled with black, giving a distinctive bluish appearance. Black patches over the eyes and ears are also common.
Temperamentally, the Basset Bleu is friendly, gentle, and sociable, making them well-suited as companion animals. They tend to be calm indoors, but require daily exercise and mental stimulation due to their hunting background. The breed is generally good with children and gets along well with other dogs, although their high prey drive means caution is necessary around smaller pets like cats or rodents.
Basset Bleus are intelligent and trainable, though they may display a stubborn streak, particularly if a scent captures their attention. Early, consistent training using positive reinforcement is recommended. Their vocalizations can be quite loud, a trait inherited from their hunting ancestry, so owners should be prepared for melodious baying, especially when they are excited or have discovered an interesting scent.
In terms of health, the breed is generally robust, but, like other bassets, they are prone to specific issues such as ear infections (due to their long ears), back problems, and obesity. Regular vet check-ups, a balanced diet, and routine ear cleaning are crucial to keeping them healthy. Owing to their moderate energy level, they fit well into both active and laid-back households, as long as their exercise needs are met. The Basset Bleu de Gascogne remains relatively rare outside of its native France but has been gaining admirers for its unique temperament and appearance.
Appearance
The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a distinctive and elegant breed, characterized by its unique coat color, elongated body, and expressive features. Originating in France, this breed exemplifies the classic characteristics of French hounds, with certain qualities that make it stand out among other basset breeds.
Basset Bleu de Gascogne has a moderately long, well-muscled body and short, sturdy legs, giving it a somewhat low-slung profile typical of bassets. Its back is level and strong, while the chest is deep and broad, lending the dog a solid and robust appearance. Despite its somewhat heavyset stature, the breed moves with surprising agility and grace.
One of the most distinctive features of the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is its coat, which gives the breed its name. The coat is short, dense, and slightly coarse to the touch, offering protection during excursions through brush and undergrowth. The signature color is mottled blue (a mix of black and white hairs), resulting in a slate-blue effect that is unique to the breed. Typically, the coat is adorned with black patches, particularly on the head, ears, and body. The head often features easier-to-identify black markings resembling a mask or a cap, with tan (fawn) markings accentuating the cheeks, eyebrows, and inside the ears.
The breed's head is long and fairly narrow, with a distinctive, slightly domed skull and a well-pronounced occiput (the back of the head). The eyes are large, oval, and dark brown, radiating a gentle and soulful expression. One of the most charming aspects of their appearance is their long, low-set, velvety ears, which fall in delicate folds and may extend well beyond the tip of the nose when stretched forward.
The nose is broad, always black, and equipped with open nostrils, reflecting the breed's excellent sense of smell. The lips are quite pendulous, enhancing the breed's characteristic hound look. The tail is saber-shaped, thick at the base, and tapers to a point, carried gracefully in a slight curve.
Overall, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is an attractive and aristocratic breed, combining the unmistakable appearance of the classic basset with the unique and striking features of the Bleu de Gascogne lineage.
History
The Basset Bleu de Gascogne, also known as the Blue Gascony Basset, is a distinctive breed with deep roots in French canine history. This breed emerges from the famed Gascogne region in southwestern France, home to a tumultuous past marked by frequent wars and hunting traditions dating back to the Middle Ages. The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is one of the several hounds collectively known as the 'Bleu de Gascogne,' all characterized by their unique mottled slate blue coats.
This breed descends directly from the much larger Grand Bleu de Gascogne, an ancient scent hound, and is believed to have been intentionally bred down in size to create a dog more suited to hunting in dense undergrowth and challenging terrains. The reduction in stature resulted in the distinct, low-slung, long-bodied appearance associated with modern Basset breeds. Early records suggest that the breed has existed as a recognizable type since at least the 14th century, where they were used by French nobility to hunt small game such as rabbits and hares.
Throughout the centuries, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne's popularity ebbed and flowed. By the late 1800s, the breed was on the brink of extinction due to changing hunting practices and the preference for larger, faster hounds. However, a concerted effort at the turn of the 20th century by French breeders, most notably Alain Bourbon, helped resurrect the breed. This resurgence involved selective breeding, sometimes introducing other breeds like the Basset Saintongeois, to enhance genetic diversity while maintaining the characteristic blue ticked coat and excellent scenting ability.
The breed’s survival through periods of near disappearance highlights its resilience and valued status among French hunters. Today, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne remains a rare but cherished breed, recognized by major kennel clubs including the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and the United Kennel Club (UKC). While its numbers remain relatively low compared to more common Basset breeds, it is celebrated for its good-natured temperament, endurance in the field, and historical significance as a living piece of France's hunting legacy.