Originally from France, the Basset Bleu De Gascogne was originally bred to hunt and is well known for its keen sense of smell. This medium-sized breed is enthusiastic, affectionate and loves to hunt. The Basset Bleu De Gascogne is a cousin of the Basset Hound, the two breeds look very similar but the Basset Bleu De Gascogne has a lighter build with slightly longer legs and tighter skin. The Basset Bleu De Gascogne has only recently been introduced to the UK and is not as popular here as they are in France.
The Basset Bleu De Gascogne has short legs and a long body, just like a Basset Hound. This breed has large, wedge-shaped heads and long faces. The Basset Bleu De Gascogne breed is known for their ability to follow a scent and their large noses and open nostrils complement this. The overall appearance of the Basset Bleu De Gascogne breed is gentle and endearing; they have dark brown, oval-shaped eyes and low ears that curl inwards. Their tails are set high, are broad at the base and tapers to the tip.
The Basset Bleu De Gascogne’s coat is short and dense. The breed’s coat is white distinguished by black mottled markings (that appear blue) and tan points.
How big do Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs get?
Height - Males: 34 - 38cm. Females: 30 - 38cm
Weight - Males: 15 - 18kg. Females 15-18kg.
A Basset Bleu De Gascogne is a very laid back dog that is happy to sit on the sofa and relax. When they are outside they enjoy walks and have a strong tracking instinct which means they love to follow scents they pick up. These Bassets are intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement, it is recommended you practice recall a lot as Basset Bleu De Gascogne are prone to wandering off when they’ve picked up a scent. These loyal dogs live life at their own pace making them perfect for a relaxed home environment.
Are Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs intelligent? Yes and they are excellent at following scents.
Are Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs affectionate? Yes, they form strong bonds with their families.
Do Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs have high or low energy levels? Medium, they love to be lazy if given the opportunity but need daily exercise.
Are Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs loyal? Yes.
Are Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs playful? Yes, they have a playful nature.
Are Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs aggressive? No.
Are Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs easy to train? Moderately, they can be stubborn (3/5).
Are Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs good guard dogs? No.
A Basset Bleu De Gascogne is a pack dog which means they tend to enjoy the company of other dogs. If your Basset Bleu De Gascogne is brought up around cats then they will get along with them too. In France, Basset Bleu De Gascogne are known to make great family pets thanks to how well they get along with children. With that said, supervision is always recommended to ensure playtime doesn’t get too boisterous.
Do Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs get along with other pets? Yes, but care should be taken around cats and smaller animals.
Do Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs get along with other dogs? Yes.
Are Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs good with kids? Yes, they are excellent with children (4/5).
Are Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs good with strangers? This breed is moderately friendly to strangers.
A Basset Bleu De Gascogne is ideal for a semi-active lifestyle. They are better suited to living in quieter areas as busy cities will be overwhelming for this breed. Basset Bleu De Gascognes need access to a secure outside area and need daily walks outside but don’t need too much indoor space. Although you can leave your Basset Bleu De Gascogne inside when you pop to the shop, they do not enjoy being alone and can become bored or frustrated if left for too long. They are better when someone is with them, the laid back nature of this breed means you could take them to the office with you if there’s no one at home.
Are Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs good for first-time owners? No, although they are quite laid back they have a keen instinct to hunt making them less suitable for first-time owners.
Are Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs hypoallergenic? No.
Are Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs prone to drooling? Not particularly (2/5).
Are Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs a good breed for apartment living? No.
Do Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs shed a lot? They shed moderately.
Do Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs bark a lot? They will howl occasionally.
Can Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs be left alone at home? They can handle a short period of time alone but get bored easily and may become destructive.
Can Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs handle the heat? Yes.
Can Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs handle cold temperatures? Yes.
Are Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs sensitive to loud noises? Yes, they will likely find an urban setting stressful.
The Basset Bleu De Gascogne has a life expectancy of 12 - 14 years. On the whole, this is a healthy breed but there are a couple of health issues owners should be aware of. Due to their body shape, they are more prone to abnormal joint development and spinal disorders. These issues can often be treated with rest, medication and if necessary, surgery.
As Basset Bleu De Gascogne are deep-chested dogs, this makes them more prone to bloat (gastric dilation volvulus) which is treated with surgery. This breed may also suffer from skin infections and ear problems which can be treated by a vet. As we mentioned, Basset Bleu De Gascogne like to be lazy if they are allowed and this puts them at risk of obesity if they do not get enough exercise.
How long do Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs live? - 12 - 14 years
The Basset Bleu De Gascogne is a medium energy dog, they need 1 - 2 hours of exercise per day. While these Bassets love the exercise when they are out, they do have a tendency to be lazy so it will be down to you to get them up and out. Calm countryside walks are best for the Basset Bleu De Gascogne as loud, busy walks can be overwhelming.
This breed loves to sniff around so wherever they are given the opportunity to do this, they are happy. Time spent playing and training in a secure back garden is appreciated too as it helps give your Basset Bleu De Gascogne lots of mental stimulation and enjoyment.
How much exercise does a Basset Bleu De Gascogne dog need? - 1 - 2 hours per day
Do Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs like water play? Not usually as their short legs and long body make swimming difficult.
The Basset Bleu De Gascogne does not have any specific dietary requirements. It’s important to make sure your Basset Bleu De Gascogne is getting the right amount of high-quality food and enough exercise.
Allowing your basset to eat more than they need to and not taking them out for walks each day will result in weight gain and related health issues. It’s recommended you feed your Basset Bleu De Gascogne between 1.5 - 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food each day but this is just an estimate. Every dog is unique so each dog must have a personal dietary plan made based on their age, weight and activity level.
Are Basset Bleu De Gascogne dogs prone to weight gain? Yes.
How much should I feed a Basset Bleu De Gascogne puppy? 1 - 2.5 cups depending on age; split into 3-4 servings.
How much should I feed an adult Basset Bleu De Gascogne dog? 1.5 - 2.5 cups of dry food each day.
Grooming: A Basset Bleu De Gascogne is low maintenance when it comes to grooming. As they shed moderately it’s best to brush them each week to help remove dead hair and prevent lots of hair from getting onto the furniture etc. More frequent grooming is required in Spring and Autumn when they shed more often. Check your Basset’s ears regularly and clean them when necessary to prevent wax build-up and infection.
Emotional Care: The Basset Bleu De Gascogne is a laid back breed that is happy to chill out with their family. They don’t demand much from their owners but these Bassets would rather be with people or dogs than on their own. As Basset Bleu De Gascogne are highly intelligent they respond well to training and they thrive in situations where they can pick up and follow scent trails. Due to this hunting instinct, it is best to walk your Basset on a lead unless you are in a secure area. A Basset Bleu De Gascogne needs between 1 - 2 hours of exercise each day, otherwise, they can gain weight and become unhealthy.
History of the Basset Bleu De Gascogne
The Basset Bleu De Gascogne dates back to the 14th century although the origins of the breed are unknown. It is thought the breed was further developed following the French Revolution in an attempt to create a dog that can follow a hunt while being slow enough for people on foot to keep up. The Basset Bleu De Gascogne is an excellent working dog but is also a wonderful companion.
In the 1990s, The Basset Bleu De Gascogne was recognised as a breed by The Kennel Club. These Bassets are still relatively rare in the UK so people interested in buying a Basset Bleu De Gascogne puppy may have to join a waiting list.
These bassets tend to howl rather than bark
The Basset Bleu De Gascogne breed dates back to the 14th century
These dogs like to chill out which makes them prone to weight gain
Basset Bleu De Gascogne have a high prey drive
Buying a puppy is incredibly exciting but make sure you don’t rush the process. Use our buying guide to help you find your perfect puppy from a reputable breeder. As most puppies are now bought online it is important to be aware of scams and bad practices, our guide will help you ask the right questions to breeders.
As the Basset Bleu De Gascogne breed is still quite rare in the UK, there are not many puppies around which means you may need to join a waiting list to get one. You can take a look at our Basset Bleu De Gascogne puppy page to see if there are any puppies available in your area. All breeders have been vetted to ensure they are responsible.
How much does a Basset Bleu De Gascogne cost to buy? - £800 - £1600
How much does a Basset Bleu De Gascogne cost to feed? - £40 per month
How much does insurance for a Basset Bleu De Gascogne cost? - £30 per month
The other way you can bring a Basset Bleu De Gascogne into your home is through adoption. Head to your local rescue centre and talk to them about the breed. The following associations may also be able to help:
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/find-a-puppy/
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/
