Overview
The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is the short-legged member of the Gascony hound family, bred to hunt hare and rabbit on foot in the south west of France. Its coat is white ticked with black to give a blue effect, with black patches and tan points. It is longer in the leg and lighter than the Basset Hound and has the melodious bay that the Gascon hounds are known for.
Owners describe an affectionate, gentle dog that is lazy indoors and dogged outdoors. It is recognised by the Kennel Club in the UK but rarely seen.
Exercise and walking needs
Allow an hour or so a day. The breed will trail for hours when hunting, but as a pet it is content with two steady walks full of sniffing.
The pace is slow and the stops are frequent. Resist the urge to hurry; the dog is working, just not in a way that covers ground.
On the walk
- Recall: Weak. Scent overrides sound. Use a long line in open country and a lead everywhere else.
- Voice: The bay is loud and musical and the dog uses it when it finds a line or loses sight of its people. Pick quiet routes.
- Other dogs: Friendly and tolerant, having been bred to work in company. Rarely a problem on group walks.
- Lead manners: Not a lunger, but a solid lean towards scent that goes on for the whole walk. A harness helps.
- Ground: Short legs and long ears meet mud early. Expect the underside and ears to be filthy after wet walks.
Tips for professional walkers
- Keep the lead on near roads and farmland without exception. A hound on a trail does not look up.
- Reward every return of attention with a treat; it slowly builds a recall worth having.
- Towel the ears and check inside them after walks; the length and weight invite trouble.
- Choose walks with varied scent over long ones with none.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog ever gone missing on a scent, and how does the owner manage it?
- Are there any ear issues the owner wants watched or treated after walks?
- Is the dog allowed to jump into the car or onto walls, or should you lift it?