Basset Bleu de Gascogne

35-40 lbs
12-15"
France
Blue Gascony Basset

The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is one of France’s six different Basset Hound breeds. He is a very lively hound and loves hunting. He has a great sense of smell and hunts most of the time with his nose to the ground. He is a people pleaser and is relatively easy to train. His ideal home is with a family that is active and gives him plenty of opportunity to be outside with them playing or hiking. The Basset Bleu de Gascogne can make an excellent family companion if he is raised with children. He may be a little suspicious of children he does not know. Proper socialization is important to ensure he is a happy, well-adjusted family member. 

purpose Purpose
Hunt Small Game
history Date of Origin
14th Century
ancestry Ancestry
Grand Bleu de Gascogne

Basset Bleu de Gascogne Health

Average Size
Male Basset Bleu de Gascogne size stats
Height: 12-15 inches Weight: 35-40 lbs
Female Basset Bleu de Gascogne size stats
Height: 12-15 inches Weight: 35-40 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Obesity
  • Skin Infections
  • Inverterbral Disc Degeneration
Minor Concerns
  • Ear Infections
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Eye Problems
Occasional Diagnoses
  • None Known
Occasional Tests
  • OFA
  • X-Rays
  • Eye examination
  • Blood Analysis
  • Complete Physical Examination

Basset Bleu de Gascogne Breed History

The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a very old breed that directly descended from an even older breed. His history can be traced back to the 14th century where he originated in the region of Gascony located in southwest France. He was developed by breeding down the Grand Bleu de Gascogne.  This larger scent hound breed has ancient roots. The Grand Bleu de Gascogne was too large to hunt the smaller game that would escape into thick underbrush, so the Basset Bleu de Gascogne was created for the purpose of going into the thick underbrush and flushing out small game such as rabbits. In the 1890s the Basset Bleu de Gascogne was almost extinct because of the sharp decline in hunting and the need for hunting dogs. There were very few to be found until Alain Bourbon began resurrecting the breed in the early 20th century. Bourbon did not fully document his breeding practices and therefore, nobody knows exactly how he was able to revive the breed. One theory is that Bourbon was able to breed a few of the original Basset Bleu de Gascognes with the Grand Bleu de Gascogne and the Basset Saintongeois. Another theory is that the Basset Bleu de Gascogne simply came from a mutation of the Grand Bleu de Gascogne and both breeds are the same, except for the size. The overall look of the Basset Bleu de Gascogne did change slightly in appearance and more closely resembled the stereotypical Basset Hound. The Basset Bleu de Gascogne has been recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale and as well in 1991, the United Kennel Club, even though there are very few located in the United States. He is rarely found anywhere outside of France and there are only a few breed specific clubs for the Basset Bleu de Gascogne.

Basset Bleu de Gascogne Breed Appearance

The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is an interesting looking hound. He is a low stationed dog with thick bones but does not give the appearance of being too heavy. He should be agile and able to move quickly. He has a black nose with well developed nostrils used for sniffing out small game in the underbrush. His eyes are oval and set deep in his head; his expression is slightly sad and gives him the appearance of being sad. Eyes should be dark brown in color. He has long ears that are set low on his head and come to the end of his muzzle when extended forward. His ears should be thin, long and somewhat curling. The Basset Bleu de Gascogne has a dense, short coat that is thick to protect him while in the underbrush. His coat is unusual and most think he is blue in color, but in reality he is black with white in a mottled pattern. This gives the effect of being a slate blue color. He can have black patches on his body. Usually, there will be black patches that cover his ears and the sides of his head. A white blaze on his skull is also typical. The Basset Bleu de Gascogne should also have tan markings located on the underside of his tail, on his legs, inside of the ears, on his cheeks, lips and above his eyes. 

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Basset Bleu de Gascogne eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Basset Bleu de Gascogne nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
blue Basset Bleu de Gascogne coat
Blue
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Basset Bleu de Gascogne straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Basset Bleu de Gascogne Breed Maintenance

The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is not a hypoallergenic dog because he does shed seasonally. His coat is short and therefore fine hairs will shed and float through the air unless he is kept groomed during times of heavy shedding. Brush him at least once a week, more often when he is shedding, using a hound mitt, natural bristle brush, or a slicker brush. To keep his coat shiny and fresh between baths a leave-in coat conditioner can be used. The Basset Bleu de Gascogne will need bathed on an as needed basis. He does have a doggy smell that can be hard to take some times. It is not recommended that he be bathed weekly, but bi-weekly or monthly may be necessary. Since he can be prone to skin infections, be sure to ask your veterinarian which shampoo is best for him. His ears should be cleaned weekly to keep infections from setting in.  

Brushes for Basset Bleu de Gascogne
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Basset Bleu de Gascogne requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Basset Bleu de Gascogne Temperament

The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a typical hound. He is friendly, fun-loving and eager to please. He likes other dogs but is just as content to spend time with his human family. Generally, he does well with children he is raised with and makes an excellent playmate. The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is not a hyper dog but he does require daily exercise to keep him healthy. It does not take much for him to become a couch potato and he easily gains weight and obesity is a concern in the breed. He does need a sturdy fenced yard because he is a scent hound and will follow a trail for miles. Do not leave him alone in the yard for long periods of time; he can become a destructive dog. Apartment living is not recommended for him. He can be a very vocal dog and has a typical, loud hound voice that can easily annoy neighbors. 

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
8 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
45 minutes
activity minutes

Basset Bleu de Gascogne Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2.1 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00
food bag monthly cost

Basset Bleu de Gascogne Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Basset Bleu de Gascogne size stats at six months
Height: 9.5 inches Weight: 17.5 lbs
Female Basset Bleu de Gascogne size stats at six months
Height: 9.5 inches Weight: 17.5 lbs
12 Months
Male Basset Bleu de Gascogne size stats at 12 months
Height: 12.0 inches Weight: 31.5 lbs
Female Basset Bleu de Gascogne size stats at 12 months
Height: 12.0 inches Weight: 31.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Basset Bleu de Gascogne size stats at 18 months
Height: 13.5 inches Weight: 37.5 lbs
Female Basset Bleu de Gascogne size stats at 18 months
Height: 13.5 inches Weight: 37.5 lbs

Basset Bleu de Gascogne Owner Experiences

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