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American Blue Gascon

History

The American Blue Gascon Hound is fundamentally a superior type of hunting hound capable of adapting to the most rigorous conditions and terrain. The breed displays the excessive traits and characteristics enjoyed by the old Gascon Breeds, including great scenting ability, stamina, agility, ruggedness, perservence, desire, and long deep bawl or bugle voice in the hunting of larger types of tree-bay game. A distinct breed and type similar to no other present breed. These factors must be stressed in a breed evaluation. Those hound aficionados favoring the big, strong-voiced, cold-nosed hound of the old Gascon type were forced to keep changing their allegiance. It wasnt the breed so much as the preservation of a type that these hunters wanted. One of the most successful promoters of this type of hound was Wilson (Bluetick Bill) Harshman. For 30 years he hunted, bred, wrote about and organized events for these dogs. In the 1930s, Harshman wrote about the English Coonhound in a magazine, and later was the man most responsible for the bluetick faction breaking away. He wrote a book called Big N Elite, a marvelous collection of stories and legends about the Old Line strain. This was how the American Blue Gascon Hound came by its nickname. In the 1950s, the sport of competitive night hunting was born. This called for the faster, racier, hotter nosed hound without the patience and thoroughness of the old type. Judging was based on the ability to tree the greatest number of raccoons in the shortest period of time, not the individual ability of each hound. The Red-bone and Walker Hounds proved to be highly competitive in these events, and many Bluetick breeders began streamlining their hounds to cop the prizes as well. Those who loved the old Gascon type became alarmed and, in 1976, created the new American Blue Gascon Hound Association.

GENERAL APPEARANCE The image that the Gascon hound projects should be that of an aristocratic, powerful animal with a look of intelligence and endurance. This hound is fundamentally a hunting-working dog and possesses those points of dogs that hunt by scent over varied and difficult terrain. Judges are asked by the sponsors to consider with emphasis these facts when evaluating this dog. Honorable scars which are the result of work should not be judged as defects.

HEAD *SKULL Large, robust, rather broad, slightly oval at the occiput, very slight traces of loose skin or folds, yet cleanly molded with a very definite stop. Head length to measure 10 to 12 inches in males, 9 to 10 inches in females.

MUZZLE: Rather long, heavy, with deep square flews. Nostrils large, well developed and always black.

EARS: Are a characteristic of the breed, long, rather narrow and thin, pointed at the tip, hanging in a roll, neither too low set to give the head a narrow appearance, nor too high giving a cocked or cur appearance. Span across the head should not be less than 24 inches or greater than 28 inches on males. Earspan on females should not be less than 23 inches.

EYES: Almost round, always dark brown or black, not deep set, and without excess haw.

BODY NECK: Should be of medium length, strong and muscular and slightly rounded at prominence and with minimum dewlap.

SHOULDERS: Powerfully constructed, muscular, somewhat sloping, free of movement.

CHEST: Large, of considerable depth and breadth denoting stamina and endurance. Minimum girth measurements of males should be 32 inches. Minimum girth measurements of females should be 30 inches.

RIBS: Well sprung extending well back, tapered full and rounded to provide extra lung capacity.

BACK:

Moderate length sloping somewhat from withers to rump when head is held high. Never swayed or roached, should be strong and muscular.

LOINS:

Muscular, slightly arched, hips broad, never narrow (conducive to dysplasia).

TAIL:

Well haired and attached slightly below back line, of medium length and carried high in a sabre like curve. No flag or rat tail.

LEGS AND FEET THIGHS Well muscled, crop full, curved to point of joining thighs.

QUARTERS: Broad, well muscled from hip to hock, rather long and sinewy.

STIFLE AND HOCKS: Moderately bent, straight when viewed from the rear, neither in nor out and only slightly back from underbody when viewed from side.

PASTERNS: Strong and straight, front leg strong and straight with elbows

FEET: Deep padded, compact, toes strong, slightly oval to denote speed.

COAT AND COLOR COAT: Rather short, but very thick and dense to withstand rough conditions.
COLOR: Pups are always born white, with a permanent black mark and continue to darken in color to puberty. Acknowledge modern genetical knowledge of heredity and breeding, considerable color variations are prmissible including: all blue, tan trim, and black on blue markings. Markings not to exceed 30% of body color and of numerous and irregular pattern rather than larger spots. Color always of darker shades and including bluetick, roan mottled steelblue, blueblack, bluebrindle or grizzle. Black may be eliminated as well as tan points. A blue blaze covering the muzzle, extending over the head and joining the body blue is preferable. A small oval or round spot at crown of head, surrounded by blue is a mark of the breed.

SIZE Minimum height for males is 27" to 30" at the shoulder.
Minimum height for females is 25" to 28" at the shoulder.
Minimum weight for males is 90lbs.
Minimum weight for females is 75lbs.
DISQUALIFICATIONS: Under size, light color, pink skin, poor type, light eyes, too short or poorly set ears, parrotmouth, bird beak, and tough chop voice is not desired but is acceptable on the tree.

SIZE Minimum height for males is 27" to 30" at the shoulder.
Minimum height for females is 25" to 28" at the shoulder.

Minimum weight for males is 90lbs.
Minimum weight for females is 75lbs.

DISQUALIFICATIONS: Under size, light color, pink skin, poor type, light eyes, too short or poorly set ears, parrotmouth, bird beak, and tough chop voice is not desired but is acceptable on the tree.