Grand Bleu de Gascogne

A large, impressive hound with a long, noble head and pendulous ears, the Grand Bleu dog breed has a distinctive 'blue' coat colour, created from black mottling on a white background. Adult dogs stand at 64-70cm and females at 60-and they weigh 32-35kg.

The need-to-know

Dog suitable for experienced owners
Extra training required
Enjoys gentle walks
Enjoys walking an hour a day
Large dog
Minimum drool
Requires grooming once a week
Non hypoallergenic breed
Very vocal dog
Not a guard dog
May require training to live with other pets
May require training to live with kids

Personality

This breed is known for his 'deep bay', one of the reasons why he is a specialist dog rather than your average pet – neighbours will not appreciate his vocal tendencies! He is something of a gentle giant – with the typically kind hound temperament and pack mentality.

History and Origins

Descended from the St Hubert Hound, a now-extinct Bloodhound-type of breed, the Grand Bleu de Gascogne dog breed dates back to Medieval times, when it hunted boars, wolves and bears in its native France. Today it is still used for hunting large game (deer and boar), and is very much a hunting dog for the specialist, rather than a pet.

Nutrition and Feeding

Large breed dogs, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs.

Exercise

The Grand Bleu needs at least two hours or more of daily exercise. This dog was bred to hunt and is not happy if he's unable to follow his nose for miles and hours at a time.

Other Information

Health and Common Issues

The Grand Bleu de Gascogne is generally a healthy, robust breed with no widely recognised breed specific health problems.

Best Family Dog Breeds

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.