Petit Bleu de Gascogne

The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is the smaller of the standing Gascony hounds — "petit" describes the game it hunts and its own size relative to the Grand, not a small dog.

History

It comes from Gascony in south-west France, bred down from the Grand Bleu to hunt hare and smaller game at a pace a hunter on foot could follow. The blue of the name is the family's mottled black-on-white coat.

Temperament

The breed is known for being gentle, sociable and persistent, comfortable in a pack and vocal on a trail.

Care and training

It needs plenty of exercise and secure ground, and the long ears want regular cleaning. Recall is the familiar difficulty of a scent hound. The short coat is easy.

Health

Nothing specific to the breed is widely documented beyond the ear infections common to drop-eared hounds. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.