Grand Bleu De Gascogne at a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height
- 60–70 cm
- Weight
- 32–35 kg
- Life expectancy
- up to 10 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog. Not assessed yet: Energy, Cats and small pets.
Is the Grand Bleu De Gascogne right for you?
Like every breed, the Grand Bleu De Gascogne is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You enjoy long walks and an active, outdoor life.
- You have, or would like, another dog.
- You would prefer a dog that tends to shed little.
- You would like a coat that is fairly easy to look after.
Consider another breed if…
- The dog would regularly be left alone for long working days.
- You cannot offer well over an hour of exercise every day.
- You live in a flat or a small home.
- You have young children at home.
How would the Grand Bleu De Gascogne fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Grand Bleu De Gascogne
The Grand Bleu de Gascogne is a large, impressive hound with a long, noble head, long hanging ears, a muscular neck and a powerful body. It looks a little like a Bloodhound without the loose skin. Its name comes from its size and its distinctive blue colour, created by mottled black hairs on a white background. It is an athletic scent hound built to keep going all day.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Large
A large dog.
- Exercise
Very high
Usually needs several hours of activity or work a day.
- Energy level
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Grooming
Weekly
The coat usually needs brushing about once a week.
- Shedding
Low
Tends to shed little, though every dog sheds some hair.
- Trainability
Independent
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps.
- Good with children
Older children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
- Good with other dogs
Usually sociable
Usually sociable with other dogs.
- Good with cats
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Suits first-time owners
Experienced owners
Best with an experienced owner.
- Barking / vocality
Can be vocal
Often quick to bark at visitors or unusual sounds.
- Time alone
Prefers company
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
Often described as the long-legged aristocrat of the French scent hounds, the breed dates back to medieval times and is descended from the St Hubert Hound, a Bloodhound type that no longer exists. It was used in France to hunt wolf, boar and bear, and more recently hare, and it is still a working hound there today.
Like many French hounds, it is thought to have come to England with the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. It was occasionally brought to the UK in the 1800s to add to hound packs, but was not seriously bred or registered with the Kennel Club until the mid-1980s. It is still rare, with only a handful of UK breeders.
Grand Bleu De Gascogne temperament
Grand Bleus are typically good-natured and amiable, with great determination and perseverance. Their skill lies in persistence and in picking up a cold scent rather than in speed. They are a "hound person's hound": happiest with other hounds, keen to spend lots of time outdoors, and unlikely to suit the average pet home.
They are generally friendly with other dogs and often happier living in a group. They are vocal dogs that will bark to alert you to visitors or anything unusual, and they do not cope with being left alone.
Size and appearance
The Grand Bleu is a large breed. Males typically stand 64–70 cm at the shoulder and females 60–65 cm, with adults weighing around 32–35 kg.
The coat is short. Breed standard colours are tricolour, blue and fawn tricolour, and blue, black and tan. Tan markings appear on the face, ears, legs and under the tail.
How much exercise does a Grand Bleu De Gascogne need?
Grand Bleus need more than two hours of exercise a day, including walking, some free running in a secure space and, above all, the chance to follow a scent to the end of the trail. They excel at scent-based sports and suit owners who want to spend a lot of time on these activities.
This is a rural, countryside dog. It needs a large house, a large and very well-fenced garden, and access to a variety of safe and interesting walks.
Training a Grand Bleu De Gascogne
Grand Bleus are independent and were bred to work in a pack, so you will have to work very hard to get one to work for you. They do not enjoy training for its own sake and are not interested in obedience or tricks.
- Use food rewards and the chance to follow a scent as motivation.
- Build good habits from the very start.
- Manage the environment so bad habits are never learned.
- Socialise early and thoroughly with other pets and with livestock.
Grand Bleu De Gascogne grooming
The short coat is easy to care for. A wipe and brush through every few days, or at least once a week, is enough, and is a good chance to check for cuts, scrapes and parasites. Check paw pads for grass seeds or grit, and look inside the ears. Some Grand Bleus drool.
Living with a Grand Bleu De Gascogne
Grand Bleus are generally good-natured, but they need a great deal of exercise and management. As large hounds they mature slowly and may be too boisterous for homes with very small children, although they are usually fine with older children. They are not really suited to most family homes.
Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
Other dogs
Usually sociable with other dogs.
Flats and smaller homes
Usually needs a roomy home.
Garden
A garden is helpful.
Being left alone
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
First-time owners
Best with an experienced owner.
Grand Bleu De Gascogne health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
Purina describes the Grand Bleu de Gascogne as a generally healthy breed, and the Royal Kennel Club asks breeders to prioritise genetic diversity. A few conditions are recognised. Knowing about them helps you ask a breeder the right questions; it does not mean every dog will be affected.
Hip dysplasia
Purina lists hip dysplasia among the conditions the breed can suffer from.
Gastric dilatation volvulus
Purina also lists gastric dilatation volvulus among the conditions seen in the breed.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Grand Bleu De Gascogne home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a Grand Bleu De Gascogne cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Grand Bleu De Gascogne home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically up to 10 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Grand Bleu De Gascogne
If you have decided the Grand Bleu De Gascogne suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Grand Bleu De Gascogne
Grand Bleu De Gascognes do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
Grand Bleu De Gascognes looking for homes
Live from Mypetzilla, updated as pets are listed.
There are no Grand Bleu De Gascogne adverts at the moment.
Find Grand Bleu De Gascogne adverts for sale and for adoption on Mypetzilla now.
Similar breeds you may want to consider
Grand Bleu De Gascogne FAQs
Is the Grand Bleu De Gascogne good with children?
Usually better with older, calmer children. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Can the Grand Bleu De Gascogne live in a flat?
Usually needs a roomy home. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
How much exercise does the Grand Bleu De Gascogne need?
Very high: usually needs several hours of activity or work each day. Puppies and older dogs need less structured exercise.
Does the Grand Bleu De Gascogne shed?
Tends to shed little.
How much grooming does the Grand Bleu De Gascogne need?
Typically: about once a week.
Is the Grand Bleu De Gascogne easy to train?
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps. Kind, reward-based training works best.
Can the Grand Bleu De Gascogne be left alone?
Usually copes only with short periods alone. Build up time alone gradually.
Does the Grand Bleu De Gascogne bark a lot?
Can be vocal. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the Grand Bleu De Gascogne live?
Typically up to 10 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Grand Bleu De Gascogne get?
Adults typically stand 60–70 cm at the shoulder and weigh 32–35 kg.