The Grand Bleu De Gascogne is a French scenthound that was traditionally used for hunting wolves. This hound has long been highly prized for their hunting skills but is a popular family dog too. The Grand Bleu is large in size and is taller with a more distinguished presence than many other hound breeds. This scenthound is placid with a gentle nature and has a wonderful patience around children. The Grand Bleu breed also has a distinctive mottled colouring, hence the “bleu” of their name.
The Grand Bleu is a big dog and the males are noticeably larger than the females. They are noble dogs that hold a lot of presence wherever they are. Grand Bleu dogs have long heads with a pronounced occiput and slightly loose skin. They have dark chestnut coloured eyes that hold a sad expression. Grand Bleu De Gascognes also have large ears that are set low, hang down and curl inwards.
Grand Bleu De Gascognes are strong with a well developed chest, well laid shoulders and muscular hindquarters. Their oval feet are long and well padded which is ideal for lots of walking. The tail of the Grand Bleu is thick, long and carried in an upward curve. These large dogs take long strides when they move allowing them to cover distance quickly.
The coat of the Grand Bleu is very distinctive. They have black mottling over a white base giving a blue appearance. Grant Bleu’s also have black marks on the head, covering their ears and eyes but stopping at the cheeks. Above their eyes is a spot of tan and tan marks are also present on the cheeks, lips, legs, inside their ears and under their tails. The Grand Bleu De Gascogne’s coat is smooth, short and weather-resistant.
How big do Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs get?
Height - Male: 64 - 70cm, Female: 60 - 65cm
Weight - Male: 32 - 35kg, Female: 32 - 35kg
The Grand Bleu De Gascogne is a high energy dog that thrives when living with active families. These dogs love to walk and have an impressive amount of stamina. The Grand Bleu is a scenthound and their hunting instincts remain strong, so much so they would be more than happy to follow a scent for hours if they could. Grand Bleus are gentle and will relax with you in the evening after they’ve spent the day out and about. The Grand Bleu De Gascogne is loyal and affectionate but their independent mind means they will need some extra time and patience when it comes to training.
Are Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs intelligent? Yes
Are Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs affectionate? Yes
Do Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs have high or low energy levels? High energy levels
Are Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs loyal? Yes, this breed forms strong bonds with their family.
Are Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs playful? Yes, more so when they are younger.
Are Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs aggressive? No
Are Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs easy to train? They can be challenging to train because they have a mind of their own particularly if they pick up a scent. However, in the right hands they are obedient and well behaved.
Are Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs good guard dogs? No, although they do have an intimidating bark
Grand Bleus are highly social dogs, they love being around their family and are excellent with children. The friendly nature of the Grand Bleu De Gascogne means that although they are aloof with strangers at first they soon warm up to them. The breed gets along well with other dogs but their high prey drive means that care should be taken around smaller animals. If the Grand Bleu grows up with cats and other animals they should be well behaved around them but any animals that run from them may be mistaken as prey.
Do Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs get along with other pets? Yes, they are good around other pets they have grown up with but take care around unfamiliar and smaller animals.
Do Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs get along with other dogs? Yes, this is a social breed that gets on well with other dogs.
Are Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs good with kids? Yes, these dogs are calm and gentle around children.
Are Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs good with strangers? They may be aloof at first but soon warm up thanks to their natural friendliness.
The large Grand Bleu De Gascogne is an active dog that needs plenty of space and access to a secure large garden where they can let off steam without risk of them wandering away following a scent. The Grand Bleu is best for experienced owners that enjoy going for long walks. Although this breed can be left alone for short periods of time they still need someone with them for the majority of the day. The Grand Bleu is known for barking and their distinctive howl is something nearby neighbours may not appreciate. This means the Grand Bleu De Gascogne is best suited to living in homes in the countryside where it’s not too busy and there is lots of space for them.
Are Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs good for first-time owners? No, they have specific socialisation, handling and training needs that means they can be harder to manage for inexperienced owners
Are Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs hypoallergenic? No
Are Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs prone to drooling? Yes
Are Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs a good breed for apartment living? No, they are best suited to larger homes with access to a big secure garden where they can roam
Do Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs shed a lot? They shed steadily all year but more so twice a year
Do Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs bark a lot? Yes, they do tend to bark a lot
Can Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs be left alone at home? Yes, they can be left alone for short periods
Can Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs handle the heat? Yes
Can Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs handle cold temperatures? Yes, but not extreme temperatures
Are Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs sensitive to loud noises? Yes
The average life expectancy of a Grand Bleu De Gascogne is 10 - 12 years. Known generally as robust and healthy dogs, the Grand Bleu does not suffer from many of the hereditary health conditions seen in other dog breeds. However, they can be prone to the following conditions:
Hip dysplasia - due to their large size, the Grand Bleu De Gascogne is more prone to suffer from hip dysplasia. This is due to abnormal development of one or both hip joints. The condition is painful but pain relief and other treatment is available to help keep dogs comfortable.
Entropion - this is when the eyelids fold inwards causing pain and discomfort. Entropion is typically diagnosed at around 1 year old and treatment often includes eye drops, antibiotics and surgery.
Ear infections - the long, droopy ears of the Grand Bleu De Gascogne mean they are more prone to ear infections. Symptoms include head shaking, discharge from the ear, ear scratching, scabs, head tilting and swelling. Treatment is usually ear cleaning, ear drops, anti-inflammatory medicine and antibiotic tablets.
How long do Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs live? - 10 - 12 years
The Grand Bleu De Gascogne is a high energy dog but rather than being bouncy and extremely playful they have a huge amount of stamina. This means the Grand Bleu can walk for hours without a problem and needs at least 2 hours of exercise each day. These can be long, leisurely walks and while the Grand Bleu enjoys being off lead it is best to only let them off in secure areas. This is because they will follow any scent they pick up and can be difficult to call back once they start tracking. The Grand Bleu is also very social and enjoys being around other dogs so they are more than happy to walk in parks and other areas where they will encounter other dogs.
How much exercise does a Grand Bleu De Gascogne dog need? At least 2 hours per day
Do Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs like water play? Yes, they often enjoy playing in water on hot days
The Grand Bleu De Gascogne is a large and physically active dog that needs plenty of food each day. The Grand Bleu does well on a high-quality dry food that has been formulated for large dog breeds. A typical daily serving for a Grand Bleu De Gascogne puppy is between 270 - 580g per day depending on the age and build of the puppy. This should be split into 3/4 portions and offered throughout the day. As this is just an estimate and every dog is unique, it is best to have a personal dietary plan made.
Are Grand Bleu De Gascogne dogs prone to weight gain? No
How much should I feed a Grand Bleu De Gascogne puppy? Between 270 - 580g of dry food per day depending on the puppy’s age and build
How much should I feed an adult Grand Bleu De Gascogne dog? Between 320 - 500g of dry food depending on the dog’s weight and activity level
Grooming: The short coat of the Grand Bleu De Gascogne is low maintenance. All they need is a brush each week to remove any loose hair and a wipe down to keep their coat shiny. The long ears of the Grand Bleu makes them more prone to ear infections so their ears should be checked and cleaned regularly. The tips of their ears should also be checked for debris and dirt after walks. As with all dogs, teeth cleaning and nail clipping is required periodically to keep them in good condition.
Emotional Care: The Grand Bleu needs to spend plenty of time outdoors to keep them happy, if they don’t get enough exercise they can become bored and destructive at home. In addition to daily exercise, the Grand Bleu will need regular training sessions to keep them mentally stimulated. Grand Bleu De Gascognes are intelligent dogs that are happiest when they are doing something. The breed can be quite independent and doesn’t mind being left alone for short periods of time but leaving them for too long can result in excessive barking and destructive behaviours around the home as a way of relieving stress.
History of the Grand Bleu De Gascogne
The Grand Bleu De Gascogne is one of the oldest scenthound breeds that originates from France. The breed is thought to have been around for hundreds of years and some Grand Bleu enthusiasts believe they are descendents of ancient breeds that were brought to the Mediterranean by Phoenician traders.
The Grand Bleu De Gascogne was one of the foundation dogs used to develop other French hound breeds. The breed was used for hunting large animals such as wolves, bears and deer. The Grand Bleu De Gascogne was highly prized for their hunting skills and were popular among royals and noblemen of the time. During the French Revolution and the World Wars the Grand Bleu De Gascogne breed took a knock and their numbers fell massively. So much so, the Grand Bleu is still considered to be a rare breed in France and the rest of the world. There are only a small number of Grand Bleus in the UK.
The Grand Bleu De Gascogne is an ancient French scent hound
In 1785 George Washington was presented a pack of Grand Bleu De Gascogne by General Lafayette
The Grand Bleu De Gascogne is a rare breed with very low numbers
The “Grand” in the breeds name was in reference to the large game they would hunt rather than their own size
If you think the Grand Bleu De Gascogne is the right breed for your family, take a look at our buying guide for advice on finding and buying a new dog. As the population numbers of the Grand Bleu breed are so low, you may have to join a waiting list for one of these puppies. Looking online is the easiest way to find dogs but be aware of scams and bad practices. All breeders on Puppies have been vetted to ensure they are responsible, take a look at our Grand Bleu De Gascogne page to find available puppies in your area.
How much does a Grand Bleu De Gascogne cost to buy? £800 - £1500
How much does a Grand Bleu De Gascogne cost to feed? £55 per month
How much does insurance for a Grand Bleu De Gascogne cost? £85+ per month
As there are only a few puppies registered in the UK each year, an alternative option is to look at adoption. We recommend speaking to your local dog rescue centre or contacting the associations below:
Rehome a Grand Bleu De Gascogne with the Dogs Trust
Speak to Grand Bleu De Gascogne At Perzidium about adopting a Grand Bleu De Gascogne
