Grand Bleu de Gascogne
A large, impressive hound with a long, noble head and pendulous ears, the Grand Bleu dog breed has a distinctive 'blue' coat colour, created from black mottling on a white background. Adult dogs stand at 64-70cm and females at 60-and they weigh 32-35kg.
- Category size
- Grooming requirements
- Shedding
- Allergies
- Noise
- Dog Group Kennel Club
- Alone
- Other pets
- Stability as a guard
Overview
A large, impressive hound with a long, noble head and pendulous ears, the Grand Bleu dog breed has a distinctive 'blue' coat colour, created from black mottling on a white background. Adult dogs stand at 64-70cm and females at 60-and they weigh 32-35kg.
Origin
Descended from the St Hubert Hound, a now-extinct Bloodhound-type of breed, the Grand Bleu de Gascogne dog breed dates back to Medieval times, when it hunted boars, wolves and bears in its native France. Today it is still used for hunting large game (deer and boar), and is very much a hunting dog for the specialist, rather than a pet.
Personality
This breed is known for his 'deep bay', one of the reasons why he is a specialist dog rather than your average pet – neighbours will not appreciate his vocal tendencies! He is something of a gentle giant – with the typically kind hound temperament and pack mentality.
Health
The Grand Bleu de Gascogne is generally a healthy, robust breed with no widely recognised breed specific health problems.
Exercise
The Grand Bleu needs at least two hours or more of daily exercise. This dog was bred to hunt and is not happy if he's unable to follow his nose for miles and hours at a time.
Nutrition
Large breed dogs, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs.
Grooming
The Grand Bleu dog has a no-nonsense short coat that requires very little attention – just a brush over once a week. His long, pendulous ears should be checked regularly, to ensure they are clean and healthy.