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Petit Bleu de Gaccogne

HISTORY

The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a Scenthound of ancient lineage, eminently French, showing signs of certain distinction. They are descended from the original scenting dogs of Gaul and the Phoenician hound trade; specifically they developed from the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. They are generally used to hunt hare. Gascony Province, the area of their development, is located on the southwestern coast of France. Every point of the Petit Bleu de Gascogne is for a purpose relevant to preserving the breed and its uniqueness. Judges are asked by the sponsoring breed club to keep this fact 'in mind when evaluating the merits of the individual hound.

GENERAL APPEARANCE The coat and expression combine to form an incomparable group. The standard for the Petit Bleu is essentially the same as that of the Grand Bleu, but the lines are shorter and there has been a reduction in size, giving a well-proportioned hound.

CHARACTERISTICS A trail hound of moderate speed, created after the demise of the wolf; has been successfully used to hunt deer, fox and hare. The Petit Bleu de Gascogne hunts in a leisurely, methodical manner, and possesses, in the extreme, a great amount of determination, tremendous endurance, desire, self-confidence, sagacity remarkable scenting ability, a deep, powerful melodious voice, a distinct coat color and an aristocratic form.

TEMPERAMENT Of even temperament, essentially friendly. Some individuals may be very outgoing, while others are somewhat reserved in nature, but never shy or vicious. As a hunting/working Scenthound breed, and being called upon to work in close proximity with other hounds and their handlers, aggression towards other hounds and people is to be considered a fault. Extreme shyness or viciousness is a disqualification.

SUBSTANCE The first and immediate impression of a Petit Bleu de Gascogne should be that of a hound with substance and staying power. Considering the breeds long hunting history, individual hounds should have moderate bone and ample muscle. Males are heavier than females. Defects such as bull necks, out at the elbows, loaded shoulders, or a "beef steer" profile, should not be confused with masculinity. Likewise, defects such as a shallow muzzle, poorly formed chest, extremely narrow pelvic region and general frailty should not be confused with femininity.

HEAD Most refined, long and rather narrow.

SKULL * Narrow rather than wide, and slightly convex. The occiput is well pronounced. The stop is only barely defined, even less so than in the Grand Bleu.

NOSE * Black in color. Well developed.

FOREFACE * Long and slightly aquiline.

LIPS * Pendulous. Well covering the lower jaw. The corners of the lips are well marked.

EYES Have visible eyelids. Somewhat deep and of a dark chestnut brown color. The lower lid is invariably loose, allowing a certain amount of the red mucous membrane area to be seen. The expression is somewhat sad, yet sweet and trusting.

EARS * They are attached very low, and are thin. The length must reach at least to the tip of the nose, and is often longer.

TEETH * Strong teeth, fining evenly with a scissors bite. Penalize any deviation.

NECK * Medium length. Rounded on top, and with dewlap below.

BODY CHEST * Well-developed in every sense, being long, broad and deep. Deeper than wide, tending to an oval shape. Reaching down to the level of the elbows.

RIBS * Medium arched.

BACKLINE * The back is shorter-coupled than the Grand Bleu, and well supported.

LOINS * Well-muscled. Only slightly arched.

FOREQUARTERS * SHOULDERS * Well-muscled. Elbows well in and firm.

FORELEGS * Strong, and of ample bone, with large tendons offering great support.

FLANKS Flat and well descended.

HINDQUARTERS * The croup slopes from the hip joint to the onset of the tail. The hip bones are rather prominent.

THIGHS * Well-muscled.

HOCKS * Short, broad and slightly bent.

FEET * A long oval foot, like that of the wolf. The toes are firm, the pads thick.

TAIL * Well-attached. Rather thick, long and carried sickle-fashion.

SKIN * Black or white, but never completely white, but strongly speckled with black dots. The palate, lips, soles of the feet and the sex organs are black.

COAT Strong and profuse. Smooth, not too short. Not too fine. Weather resistant.

COLOR * Irregular shaped black patches upon a white background, which is speckled with black. This confers blue reflection. Two black spots are generally situated at the side of the head, cover the ears and encircle the eyes, to end up at the cheeks without meeting on top of the skull. They leave a blaze, either blue mottled or white, in the center of which is frequently found a small, oval black spot - one of the identifying features of the breed. Two, more or less bright spots are found just above the eyelids. There are also shades of fiery tones on the cheeks, the flews inside the ear, under the tail and on the legs and feet. Some individuals are completely mottled (no black body patches), always with traces of fiery tones.. Regarding "irregular shaped black patches", if black appears on the body in solid form, it should be in irregular shapes and sizes. This would be in keeping with the true color of the breed. Large round or oval spots, saddles and blankets, while tolerated, are not to be encouraged.. Following is a list of blue shades and phases which are acceptable: Slate-Blue - a grayish-blue to dark bluish gray.
Steel-Blue * a medium to dark grayish blue; the color of tempered steel.
Blue-Black * a very dark blue, nearly black in color.

Openticked dark, distinct specks on a white to dark gray background. Open, in this instance, being the opposite of the term "thickly mottled".
Blueticked * thickly mottled or profusely speckled with numerous, darker "ticks" on a lighter background, which blend together, reflecting a true blue cast, which may vary from very light to a very dark blue.
Dappled * irregularly mottled coat accompanied by small, irregular shaped black body patches ranging from the size of peas up to the size of a silver dollar or slightly larger.
Blue-Roan * a mixture of lighter and darker hairs, more or less evenly patterned throughout the entire coat. Salt and Pepper would be an example.
Shade of fiery tones, it is to be understood, may be any shade from very pale tan, to a deep, bright orange-rust or mahogany. These are the base colors. Total body color is determined by the base color in connection with a specific color phase. Acceptable color phases include:

SIZE Measured at the point of the withers. Males: 22 to 24 inches. Females: 20 to 22 inches. If character, proportion and quality are evident in an individual hound, a deviation of 1 " (one inch) above the height requirement will be accepted.

SCARS * Because the Petit Bleu de Gascogne is first and foremost a hunting hound, scars, the result of honorable wounds, shall not be considered faults, nor shall they be penalized by Judges. This includes cuts, nicks, notches on the ears, and/or ears which are frayed at the edges from working in brush, tall grass, etc.

FAULTS Skull too heavy; short head. Weak legs or feet. Light eyes. Spotted nose.

DISQUALIFICATIONS * Ears too short, set too high. Any color other than described. Absence of fiery tones. Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Extreme viciousness or shyness. Poor type * defined as more than two faults, OR more than one fault if accompanied by a point which is clearly not desired in the breed standard. Examples of poor type * a Petit Bleu de Gascogne which has a short head, light eyes and splayed feet. Another example of poor type: a Petit Bleu de Gascogne with light eyes, a flat skull and blanket body patch.. The Bleu de Gascogne Club of America and the United Kennel Club, Inc., are very serious about preserving the Petit Bleu de Gascogne, and in promoting quality. It is to be understood by the registering body - the United Kennel Club, Inc. * its Judges, members of the Bleu de Gascogne Club of American and breeders/fanciers in general, that disqualification means disqualification not only from being shown, but also from being registered.

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.

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