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The Grand Bleu de Gascogne () is a breed of hounds of the scenthound type, originating in France and used for hunting in packs. Today's breed is the descendant of a very old type of large hunting dog, and is an important breed in the ancestry of many other hounds.

Description

The Grand Bleu de Gascogne is an imposing large dog, a typical hunting pack hound of the oldest type, with a lean and muscular body, long legs, slightly domed head, long drop ears, and drooping lips. Size is at the withers, females slightly smaller. Dogs of this breed should show an attitude of calm strength and nobility.

The colour of the coat is white mottled with black, giving a slate blue overall appearance. There are black patches on either side of the head, with a white area on top of the head which has in it a small black oval. Tan "eyebrow" marks are over each eye. Faults are deviations in appearance that have an effect on the health and working ability of the dog, as well as an absence of expected features of colour, structure, and size, indicating that a dog with such faults should not be bred. Faults include aggression or fearfulness, anatomical malformation, and lack of type. Today. the breed is used in hunting boar, deer, and other game.

Health and temperament

No unusual health problems or claims of extraordinary health have been documented for this breed. Temperament of individual dogs may vary.

History and use

The Grand Bleu de Gascogne ancestors were contemporaries with the St Hubert Hound and English Southern Hound, Comte de Foix kept a pack in the 14th century and Henry IV of France kept a pack in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

The Grand Bleu de Gascogne has a long history in the US, the first dogs were bred there in the 18th century; more Grand Bleus are now in the US than France. General Lafayette presented a pack of seven Grand Bleus to George Washington in 1785, who compared their melodious voices to the bells of Moscow.

The Grand Bleu de Gascogne is noted for its focus on the hunt, as well as a good nose and distinctive, sonorous, deep howl, the breed is "instinctively a pack hound".

See also

  • Dogs portal
  • List of dog breeds
  • Anglo French and French Hounds
  • Dog terminology
  • Petit Bleu de Gascogne
  • Griffon Bleu de Gascogne
  • Basset Bleu de Gascogne

References

Bibliography

  • Alderton, David, Hounds of the World, Swan Hill Press, Shrewsbury, 2000, .
  • Clarke, Anne R., Brace, Andrew H. & Sporre-Willes, Renee, The International Encyclopedia of Dogs, Wiley, 1995, .
  • Federation Cynologique Internationale, Great Gascony Blue, retrieved 15 Dec 14.
  • Fogle, Bruce, The Encyclopedia of the Dog, DK Publishing, New York, 2009, .
  • Hancock, David, Hounds: Hunting by Scent, The Crowood Press Ltd, Marlborough, 2014, .

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  • Search The Open Directory Project (DMOZ) links for clubs and information about the Grand Bleu de Gascogne

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