Large and impressive, the Grand Bleu de Gascogne has a long, noble head with pendulous ears, a muscular neck and powerful body. Somewhat like a bloodhound but lacking the excessive skin, this is an athletic scent hound built to go all day. Named for their size and distinctive blue colour, created by mottled black hair on a white background.
| Lifespan: | 10-12 years |
| Weight: | 32-35kg |
| Height: | 64-70cm for males, and 60-65cm for females |
| Colours: | Distinctive blue colour created by mottled black hair on a white background.Tan markings should be found on the face, ears, legs and under the tail |
| Size: | Medium |
| Kennel Club Groups: | Hound |
| Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 5/5 |
| Easy to train: | 3/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 4/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 4/5 |
| Energy level: | 5/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 2/5 |
| Shedding: | 2/5 |
Although large and athletic, the Grand Bleu is often described as lethargic. Their skill is in their persistence and ability in picking up a cold scent, rather than in speed. Described as aristocratic and noble, this is really a ‘hound person’s hound’, happier in a group of hounds and preferring to spend a lot of time outdoors, they are not likely to suit the average pet home. Determination and perseverance are strong traits and you will have to work very hard to get a Grand Bleu to work for you.
Country of Origin:France
Descended from the St Hubert Hound, a now extinct Bloodhound type, the Grand Bleu dates back to Medieval times. Used to hunt boar, wolf and bear in their native France, and later helped to recreate the Basset Bleu de Gascogne, a long, low version of the breed, this is still a working hound in France today.
Early French settlers took the Grand Bleu with them to the Americas, and it is thought to be the breed behind many of the American bloodhound types, particularly the American Coonhound.
Although occasionally brought to the UK in the 1800s to add to existing hound packs or to use for crossbreeding, the breed was not seriously bred or registered with the Kennel Club until the mid-1980s.
