The Blue Gascony Basset: temperament, price, health, and breeders

Originally from Gascony, in the south-west of France, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne descends from ancient French scenthounds, among which is the Saint Hubert Hound. Dogs with a bluish coat are mentioned in the region as early as the 12th century and were used to hunt wild boar, wolves and deer. Its precise origins remain debated, between a cross of Bleus de Gascogne with Bassets Saintongeois and a mutation of the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. A first standard was established in 1919. After a period of decline, the breed experienced a renewed interest at the beginning of the 1980s. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognized it on 30 October 1963.

The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a low-slung dog, with an elongated but agile body. Its back is long, its croup slightly sloping and its well-developed chest drops below the elbow. Its long head has a slightly domed skull, a marked occipital protuberance, a not very pronounced stop and a black nose with open nostrils. Its oval, brown eyes express gentleness. Its fine ears, narrow at the base and set below the line of the eye, are curled and extend beyond the nose. Its tail, strong at the base, is carried like a sabre blade. Its short coat, fairly thick and dense, is speckled black and white, which gives it a slate-blue sheen, with or without black patches.

Endearing, gentle and cheerful, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne deeply appreciates human presence and copes poorly with solitude. He is playful and calm in the home, while retaining the temperament of a scenthound highly motivated by scents. His nose, his endurance and his hunting instinct are pronounced. Generally sociable, he gets along well with children, his fellow dogs and other animals when he has been properly socialized. He can prove to be slightly stubborn and make his characteristic howl heard.

On a daily basis, this dog needs regular outings, running and scent activities to maintain its balance and limit weight gain. A house with a large, well-fenced garden suits its needs particularly well, without replacing walks. Urban life or living in an apartment remains possible provided it is given enough exercise and its vocalizations are taken into account. Very close to its family, it must not be left alone for long periods.

Intelligent, sensitive and attached to its owner, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is rather receptive to learning. Its sometimes stubborn temperament requires early, coherent and consistent training, combining measured firmness, gentleness and rewards. Recall deserves careful work due to its hunting instinct and its tendency to follow a trail. Rich socialization from the youngest age facilitates cohabitation and adaptation to different environments.

The purchase price depends in particular on the dog's origin, its pedigree, the reputation of the breeding kennel, compliance with the standard and the intended purpose, companionship, hunting or show.

With a robust constitution, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne generally enjoys good health. However, its elongated morphology, its drooping ears and its tendency to gain weight require regular monitoring. Appropriate prevention against parasites, notably ticks in rural areas, is recommended.

The diet must cover the needs of an average, active and athletic dog without promoting overweight. The ration varies according to age, level of exercise, body condition, sterilization and the energy density of the food.

The blue shade of its coat does not come from truly blue hairs, but from the tight mixture of black and white hairs that produces a slate-blue sheen. Despite a silhouette that may seem heavy, this basset is agile and enduring. Its loud and characteristic howl recalls its vocation as a scenthound working in a pack.