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Grand Bleu De Gascogne

History

This breed was created though selective breeding of the Grand Bleu de Gascogne for smaller size, in order to hunt small quarry. Its country of origin is France. It is rarer than its cousin the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. The Petit Bleu de Gascogne has a thick, dense coat. The ears are low set, thicker and less curled than its cousin the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. The long head is refined looking. The chest is deep providing ample space for the large lungs. The forelegs are surprisingly strong in relation to the rest of the body. The thighs are flat but have powerful muscles. The feet are oval and fairly long with black pads and tan hair.

General Appearance One of the larger French hunting hounds with aristocratic long head, characteristic head markings and distinctive colour.

Characteristics Highly developed sense of smell and deep bay.

Temperament Gentle and kind.

Head and Skull Large, long and distinguished. Occiput pronounced. Slight stop, loose skin covering head and forming one or two wrinkles along cheeks, lips pendulous and well pigmented. Black palate.

Eyes Dark chestnut colour, not prominent. Sad, trusting expression.

Ears Set low, fine, curled inward reaching at least to tip of nose.

Mouth Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck Medium length, rounded, carrying dewlap.

Forequarters Strong, straight and well boned. Elbows close to body, shoulders well laid and muscular.

Body Chest well developed, being long, wide and deep. Ribs moderately rounded; back rather long and muscular. Flanks deep and wide.

Hindquarters
Broad and well muscled. Hocks low to ground, set wide apart and parallel. Sloping croup. Prominent hip bones.

Feet
Long, oval, deep and well padded.

Tail
(Stern) Well set on, rather thick, fairly long and carried sickle fashion.

Gait/Movement
Loose limbed and long striding.

Coat
Smooth, weather resistant and not too short.

Colour Black marked on a white base but covered entirely with black mottling which gives a blue appearance. Two black marks are found on head, covering each ear, enveloping eyes and stopping at cheeks. Blaze also mottled, but a small black mark is often found on skull, a characteristic of the breed. Above each eye a spot of tan gives breed ‘four-eyed’ effect. Tan marks also found on cheeks, lips, inside ears, on legs and under tail. Some hounds completely mottled, but always have required tan marks.

Size Height: dogs: 64-70 cms (25-271/2 ins); bitches: 60-65 cms (231/2-251/2 ins).

Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.