Petit Gascon-Saintongeois

   

  History 

In essence, the Petit Gascon-Saintongeois is a "reduction" oftheGrandGascon-Saintongeois, individuals of which were undoubtedly mated with Airegeois and other local Briquet hounds to achieve their present size and type. At this time, the Petit Gascon-Saintongeois is one of the most rare hound breeds in France. The Petit Gascon-Saintongeois was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1993. The Petit Gascon-Saintongeois is bred and judged by the same standard as its parent breed, the Grand Gascon Saintongeois, taking into account that due to a reduction in size, the lines are shorter. Like its parent breed, the Petit Gascon-Saintongeois immediately impresses with its noble air and overall make-up, which serves to combine muscu-lar force with elegance. The first and immediate impression of a Petit Gascon Saintongeois should be that of a hound with substance and staying power. Considering the breed's 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. Like-wise, defects such as a shallow muzzle, poorly-formed chest, extremely narrow pelvic region and general frailty should not be confused with femininity.
General  Appearance    Because the Petit Gascon-Saintongeois is first and fore-most 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 that are frayed at the edges from working in brush, tall grass, etc.

 

Characteristics  The Petit Gascon-Saintongeois carries itself in a proud, dignified manner. When hunting/working, the breed displays good speed, great perseverance, remarkable scenting ability and a deep, powerful voice.  Of even temperament, essentially friendly. Some individuals may be very outgoing, while others are some- what reserved in nature, but never shy or vicious. As a hunt-ing/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.

 

 
Head and Skull The head is strong, and elongated in shape. The skin that covers it is slack and forms one or two wrinkles along the cheek. The narrow skull is slightly convex. The occipital bone is well pronounced, as are the frontal bones. The long, strong foreface is slightly aquiline. The stop is only barely defined. The lips are well covering of the lower jaw. The corners of the lips are well marked.

Faults* Short head. Skull too flat. The presence of a furrow in the skull between the occiput and frontal bones.

 

 

 
TEETH    A full complement of strong, white, even-fitting teeth meet in a scissors bite. A level bite is acceptable, but not preferred. Any deviation is to be penalized.

EYES * The eyes are set somewhat deep, are a dark chestnut brown in color and have a confident, sweet and trusting expression. The eyelids are visible. The lower eyelid is often loose, allowing a certain amount of haw to be seen.

Fault *Light eyes.

NOSE * The nose is always black in color. The nostrils are open and well developed.

Fault* Pink or spotted nose.

EARS * The thin ears are attached very low (below the line of the eye), and well back on the skull. They are well twisted inward and taper to a point. The ear leather length must reach at least to the tip of the nose, and is often longer.

 

 

 
Forequarters    The well-muscled, sloping shoulders appear as part of the body. The elbows turn neither in nor out.

FORELEGS  * The strong forelegs have ample bone, and have large tendons offering great support.

Faults*  Weak legs.

Neck *The neck is of medium length and thickness. It is rounded at the top, with only a slight amount of dewlap below.

 

 
Body   The chest is well developed in every sense, being deep, long and broad. It is deeper than wide, tending to an oval shape, and reaching down to the point of the elbows. The ribs are moderately arched. The terminal ribs are somewhat short, giving an almost greyhound-like appearance, not to be confused with herring-gutted, which is not acceptable. The back is long, but well supported. The well-muscled loins are slightly arched, and are sometimes a little long.

Faults* Poorly developed chest. Excessively receding croup.

 

 

 
Hindquarters  The thighs are well muscled.

HIND LEGS * The hind legs are level and straight. The hocks are set on low and are a broad distance from each other, turning neither in nor out. The rear pasterns are slightly bent.

Faults* Weak legs.

Feet * The oval feet have firm toes and thick pads.

Fault* Splayed feet.

Tail *The long tail is well attached and is carried elegantly. It is thick at the base and tapers to a point.

 

 

 

 
Coat and Skin    The smooth, weather-resistant coat is strong and profuse. It is not too short or too fine.

The skin is pink under white hairs and black under black hairs. The lips, palate and sex organs are black. The pads of the feet are usually black.

Height Height ranges, measured at the point of the withers, are* males, 20 to 22 inches; females, 18 to 20 inches.

 

 

 
Color    The Petit Gascon-Saintongeois is white and black, always with the white dominating. Although rare, some individuals are completely white from the muzzle to the tips of the tail and toes. The body is principally white, with or without irregularly shaped, black body patches, and always lightly flecked or speckled, as in open ticked. A leaf-brown (mahogany) colored marking, called the "Mark of the Deer," is found at the back of the thigh above the hock, and is an identifying feature of the breed. The most common and preferred colors and markings are: black head and ears, with a white  muzzle that continues as a blaze marking between the eyes up to the crown of the head. The cheeks are a pale tan, and there are other tan markings inside the ears, as dots over the eyes, and as speckles on the lower legs. This is the only amount of tan permitted. The upper area often has fawn hairs mixed in with the black. However, this should not give the head a tri-colored appearance.

 

 

 

 

 

 
Disqualifications   Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Ears too short. Ears set on too high. Ears without twist. Albinism. Any color other than described. Poor type. Defined as more than two faults, or, more than one fault is accompanied by a point that is clearly not desired in the breed standard. (Example: a Petit Gascon Saintongeois that has a short head, light eyes and splayed feet or one that has light eyes, a flat skull and a blanket body patch.) The Bleu de Gascogne Club of America and the United Kennel Club, Inc., are very serious about preserving the Petit Gascon-Saintongeois and in promoting quality. It is to be understood by the registering body (the United Kennel Club), its Judges, members of the Bleu de Gascogne Club of America, and breeders and 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.

 

 

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