Longevity
Life expectancy
With attentive care, a suitable diet and good medical follow-up, the Petit Bleu de Gascogne can live from 11 to 14 years. Longevity depends on the quality of the breeding, the lifestyle and hereditary predispositions.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Short but dense coat, good for work in cool weather. It must be protected from inactivity in cold damp conditions and from exertion in extreme heat.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Ears, grass awns, ticks, bramble wounds, lameness. Abdominal distension remains an emergency. Also monitor weight outside the hunting season.
Ear infections: Long ears retain moisture and debris after outings in the undergrowth.
Parasites and grass awns: Ticks, chiggers and grass awns are common in hunting dogs.
Field injuries: Paw pads, claws and limbs are exposed to brambles and uneven ground.
Exercise-related gastric disorders: A meal too close to a long bout of activity increases the risk of digestive discomfort.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Comfortable in the cool and dampness of the undergrowth. In summer, hunt and run only during the cooler hours. Dry bedding is essential.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
The Petit Bleu de Gascogne must maintain a silhouette suited to its morphology, with palpable ribs without excess. The ration must match the actual activity, age and neutering. Regular weighing prevents overly significant variations.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Inspect ears and paw pads after each outing in the forest.
- Work on recall only in an enclosed area at the beginning.
- Reduce the ration outside the hunting season.
- Plan suitable antiparasitic protection.
Vaccination
Petit Bleu de Gascogne vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Petit Bleu de Gascogne need? Like all dogs, Petit Bleu de Gascognes should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Petit Bleu de Gascogne vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Petit Bleu de Gascogne booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Petit Bleu de Gascogne need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Petit Bleu de Gascogne
Locomotor examination, ears, teeth, reinforced antiparasitic treatments. Weight check off-season.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
