Grand Bleu De Gascogne
The Grand Bleu de Gascogne is one of France's oldest and most celebrated scent hound breeds, with a heritage deeply rooted in the Gascony region of southwestern France.
Some historians believe the breed's ancestry stretches back over a thousand years, possibly originating from dogs brought to France by ancient traders.
32-39kg
Weight
Large
Size
12-14yrs
Lifespan
About the Grand Bleu De Gascogne
Once the preferred hunting companion of French nobility, these impressive hounds were used in large packs to pursue wolves and deer across vast estates. Today, they remain relatively rare outside France, cherished primarily by devoted enthusiasts of the classical French hunting hound tradition. Standing 60 to 70 centimetres tall and weighing 32 to 39 kilograms, the Grand Bleu is an imposing, powerfully built hound. The breed's most distinctive feature is its characteristically mottled blue-grey coat, created by a blend of black and white hairs usually combined with large black patches and striking tan markings on the face, legs and chest. Long, pendulous ears and a deeply wrinkled brow contribute to the breed's grave, dignified expression. In temperament, Grand Bleus are gentle, affectionate and sociable with people and other dogs. However, their exceptional scenting drive and loud, melodious voice make them better suited to rural settings. These hounds require substantial daily exercise, ideally exceeding two hours, and are best matched with experienced owners who appreciate their working heritage.
Grand Bleu De Gascogne at a Glance
- Group
- Hound
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 32–39 kg
- Height
- 60–70 cm
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
- Coat
- Short
- Sheds
- Yes
- Exercise
- More than 2 hours per day
Grand Bleu De Gascogne Lifestyle
The Grand Bleu De Gascogne is best matched to a larger house with room to roam and suits a home with a large garden where they can roam freely. They adapt well to both town and country living.
Dog Food for Grand Bleu De Gascogne
Top-rated foods for Large breeds, ranked by FurScore. How we score →
Recommended Food for Grand Bleu De Gascogne
Grand Bleu De Gascogne Food Costs
Estimated based on a typical Grand Bleu De Gascogne weighing around 36 kg, using the food prices shown above.
Per day
£6.00 - £6.40
Per month
£180 - £192
Per year
£2190 - £2335
Grand Bleu De Gascogne Characteristics
The Grand Bleu De Gascogne requires significant daily exercise and outdoor time and is very responsive to training and loves to please. They are a fantastic choice for families with children, but don't need constant company, though they do enjoy being around people. The coat needs brushing a couple of times a week to stay in good condition and leaves some hair around the home but isn't excessive. Exceptionally clever, they thrive when given jobs to do or puzzles to solve.
Grand Bleu De Gascogne Pros & Cons
Pros
- A gentle, patient giant with a calm nature suited to families and active owners
- Impressive stamina and endurance built for hunting large game over long distances
- Short, weather-resistant coat with steady, manageable shedding
- Intelligent and capable of learning well in experienced hands
Cons
- Strong prey drive requires a secure, well-fenced environment at all times
- Needs significant daily exercise and mental stimulation to stay content
- Not the ideal choice for first-time owners given the training challenges involved
- A vocal breed known for distinctive howling that can carry a long way
