Basset Bleu De Gascogne


About Basset Bleu De Gascogne
Also known as the Blue Gascony Basset, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a hound-type breed known for its short legs and spotted body. These dogs are an old breed, similar in appearance to the Basset Hound. In fact, these two breeds share many similarities and the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is considered one of six Basset Hound breeds by the FCI. If you are looking for a friendly and affectionate breed that is also talented for hunting, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a great option to consider.
Also known as the Blue Gascony Basset, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a hound-type breed known for its short legs and spotted body.
The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a direct descendant of the Grande Bleu de Gascogne and its origins can be traced back to the 14th century. The exact origins of the breed are unknown but it is thought to be the result of a crossing between the Grand Bleu de Gascogne and the Saintongeois Basset. The Basset Bleu de Gascogne breed was reserved for hunting by the upper class prior to the French Revolution. After the Revolution when hunting became more common among the lower classes, the need for a slower, short-legged hunting dog became apparent. The breed nearly went extinct during the 19th century but it was revived by Alain Bourbon.
The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a direct descendant of the Grande Bleu de Gascogne and was likely developed by crossing this breed with the Saintongeois Basset.
As a medium-sized dog breed, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne should be fed a high-quality commercial dog food diet formulated for dogs of its size. Because this breed is a high-energy hunting breed, however, an active or working breed formula may be more appropriate to meet his needs.
The Blue Gascony Basset is an intelligent breed that excels in hunting so they are fairly easy to train.
The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is an intelligent breed that excels in hunting so they are fairly easy to train. The best way to train this breed is to use positive reinforcement training methods and to maintain a firm and consistent hand in leadership. This breed does have a bit of an independent streak due to its hunting background, so be sure to maintain a position of authority in the home. This dog is not meant to be kept solely as a family pet, so be prepared to train your Basset Bleu de Gascogne for hunting or for other dog sports. Generally, they are happen when given a job to do, even if it is not hunting.
The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a medium-sized breed that stands between 12 and 17 inches tall and weighs 30 to 45 pounds.
The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a laid-back breed and it is generally calm as well. This breed is adaptable to apartment or condo life as long as they get their daily walk. The Basset Bleu de Gascogne breed is highly social so they need to spend a lot of time with family – they do not do well when left alone for long periods of time. This breed does, however, have a bit of an independent streak at times so plenty of socialization and early training is recommended. This breed doesn’t always get along with children, though this may be because it is primarily kept as a hunting dog rather than a family pet – it doesn’t have a strong reputation with children in general.
The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is generally a healthy and hardy breed not prone to any major inherited conditions. Like all dogs, however, this breed is prone to certain minor health problems which may include bloating, back problems, hip dysplasia, ear infections, and gastric torsion.
The average lifespan for the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is 12 to 13 years.
As a hunting breed, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne has moderate needs for exercise. They generally do well with 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily and much of their exercise needs can be met with active playtime or tracking games. These dogs do not do well when left alone for long periods of time.
The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a laid-back breed and it is generally calm as well.
The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is not currently recognized by the AKC but it is a member of the Hound Group for The Kennel Club in the U.K. and the Scenthound Group for the UKC.
Like most Basset Hounds, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne has a short, smooth coat that lies close to the body. The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is mostly white in color with blue ticking and brown or tan markings over the eyes and on the ears. Because the coat is so short, this breed does not require much professional grooming but regular brushing is recommended to keep shedding under control. This dog needs to have its ears checked frequently for signs of ear infection because they are so long and floppy.
The average litter size for the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is 4 to 8 puppies. Like most dogs, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne requires plenty of socialization and training from an early age. This breed tends to become a little bit stubborn and independent, so the earlier you can start training your puppy, the better.
Photo credit: Daz Stock/Shutterstock; CaptureLight/Bigstock

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.
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