Grand Bleu de Gascogne Breed Guide

Feb 17, 2025

Meet the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, a large, noble French scent hound with a legendary nose and an equally impressive voice to match. With their sleek, blue-ticked coat, long droopy ears, and soulful eyes, they cut an elegant figure, but don’t be fooled by that refined look—this hound is happiest when following a trail with their nose firmly to the ground!

The Basics:

Category: Hound
Size: Large (34-39 kg of sleek, muscular hound with a stunning coat)
Exercise Needs: 2+ hours per day
Grooming: Low maintenance (thankfully, they’re all about that sleek style)
Coat: Short and dense, typically blue-ticked with black patches
Shedding: Moderate (your vacuum won’t quit, but it’s not the worst)
Health Issues: Hip dysplasia, ear infections, bloat
Lifespan: Under 10 years
Home Needs: A spacious home with a secure garden (and ideally, some countryside to explore)
Sociability: Friendly with family and other dogs, but independent (they love a bit of ‘me time’ sniffing the breeze)

History: A Noble Hunter with French Flair

The Grand Bleu de Gascogne hails from France, where they were bred as scent hounds in the 14th century to hunt large game like deer, boar, and wolves. Their powerful noses and relentless tracking abilities made them prized companions for French nobility, and they were often seen working alongside packs of other hounds on grand hunts across the countryside.

This breed is one of the oldest hound breeds in France, and their distinctive blue-ticked coat and deep, resonant voice made them instantly recognisable on the hunting field. Even today, they’re still used for hunting in some parts of the world, though they’ve also adapted to modern family life—just with a lot of walks and sniffing included.

Personality: Loyal, Independent, and Always on the Scent

The Grand Bleu de Gascogne is friendly and affectionate with their family, but like many hounds, they’ve got an independent streak. These dogs were bred to work alone or in packs, tracking scents over long distances, which means they’re not the clingiest of companions. They love spending time with their humans, but they’ll happily head off on their own adventure—especially if there’s an interesting smell in the air.

While they’re generally calm at home, give them the chance to follow a scent and they’ll spring into action with their noses glued to the ground. This breed’s tracking instincts are legendary, and if you’re out walking with them, be prepared for some enthusiastic pulling the moment they catch a whiff of something intriguing.

They’re also known for their deep, melodic bark, which can sometimes turn into a full-on ‘hound song’ if they’re excited. If you live in a quiet neighbourhood, be warned: your Grand Bleu de Gascogne will want to announce their presence loud and proud!

Exercise Needs: Built for Endurance, Not Speed

As a scent hound, the Grand Bleu de Gascogne is all about endurance over speed. They’re not sprinters, but they’ve got the stamina to follow a scent for miles without tiring. This means they need plenty of exercise—at least 1-2 hours per day—and they love nothing more than a good long walk where they can follow their nose and explore their surroundings.

These dogs do best in homes with access to large, secure outdoor spaces, where they can stretch their legs and get their daily sniffing quota. While they’re great walking companions, don’t expect them to be glued to your side—once they pick up an interesting scent, they’ll be off investigating! For this reason, keeping them on a lead or in a secure area is a good idea unless you’re 100% sure of their recall (which, let’s face it, you probably won’t be).

Grooming: Low Maintenance, High Style

The Grand Bleu de Gascogne might have a regal appearance, but thankfully, they’re pretty low-maintenance in the grooming department. Their short, dense coat doesn’t mat or tangle, so a weekly brush is usually enough to keep them looking sleek and shiny. Regular brushing also helps manage their moderate shedding and keeps their coat in top condition.

However, those droopy ears will need a bit of extra care. Like many hounds, the Grand Bleu de Gascogne is prone to ear infections due to the way their ears trap moisture and debris. Regular ear cleaning is essential to keep them healthy and avoid any unpleasant odours (or ear-scratching marathons).

As with all dogs, their teeth will need attention too—regular brushing or giving them Scrumbles Gnashers can help maintain good dental hygiene and keep their breath fresh.

Health: Strong but Watch Those Hips and Ears

The Grand Bleu de Gascogne is generally a healthy breed, but they can be prone to a few health issues, particularly hip dysplasia and ear infections. Keeping them at a healthy weight, ensuring regular vet check-ups, and maintaining their ears can help prevent these problems.

Like many large breeds, the Grand Bleu de Gascogne is also at risk for bloat (gastric torsion), a potentially life-threatening condition. Feeding them smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding vigorous exercise immediately after eating can help reduce the risk of bloat.

Fun Facts About the Grand Bleu de Gascogne

Born to Bark: The Grand Bleu de Gascogne is known for its deep, melodic voice, often referred to as a “hound song.” Expect to hear some enthusiastic howls, especially when they catch a scent.
Nose First, Everything Else Later: These dogs are driven by their noses, so if they’re on a scent trail, you’ll probably find yourself trailing behind!
Old School Cool: This breed has been around for centuries and still carries that noble, old-world hunting dog charm.

Living with a Grand Bleu de Gascogne: A Nose for Adventure

Living with a Grand Bleu de Gascogne is like living with an adventurer who’s always ready to explore the world—one sniff at a time. These dogs are friendly, loyal, and independent, making them great companions for active families or individuals who love the outdoors. While they’re affectionate with their loved ones, they also have a strong sense of independence, and you’ll often find them off on their own little sniffing adventures.

Because of their powerful noses and tracking instincts, they do best in homes with plenty of space to roam, and they thrive on long walks and outdoor activities. Just be ready for some enthusiastic pulling if they catch an interesting scent!

Is the Grand Bleu de Gascogne the Right Dog for You?

If you’re looking for a loyal, adventurous, and good-natured dog who can keep up with your outdoor activities (and occasionally serenade the neighbourhood with their bark), the Grand Bleu de Gascogne might be your perfect match. They’re ideal for families or individuals with plenty of space to let them explore, and they’ll reward you with loyalty, charm, and a nose that never quits!

With the right care, regular exercise, and a nutritious diet from Scrumbles, your Grand Bleu de Gascogne will be a healthy, happy, and elegant companion for many years to come.

Best Food for the Grand Bleu de Gascogne

Like all pooches they benefit from a nutritious, all-natural and high-quality diet to thrive, and support their active lifestyles. They aren't typically fussy, but can be prone to sensitive tummies. Look for recipes that avoid artificial additives, added sugars and salts, and for a bonus look for gut-friendly pre, pro or postbiotics.

Our range of sensitive recipes are perfect for Grand Bleu's. Carefully designed for sensitive tums with gut-friendly ingredients and no nasties. All recipes would be suitable, but here are some recco's:

Scrumbles Chicken Dry Dog Food: A great choice to keep your active hound energised and healthy.
Scrumbles Salmon Dry Dog Food: Rich in Omega 3 and 6, perfect for supporting their joints, skin, and coat health.
Scrumbles Duck Wet Dog Food: A delicious, nutritious option for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Scrumbles Chicken Chonks: Ideal for keeping your Grand Bleu focused and engaged during training sessions.
Scrumbles Gnashers: Perfect for maintaining their dental health, helping to keep teeth clean and their breath fresh after a long day of adventuring.

With the right combination of exercise, a nutritious diet from Scrumbles, and plenty of love and attention, your Grand Bleu de Gascogne will be a healthy, happy, and loyal companion for years to come. Whether they’re sniffing out the next adventure or lounging at home, they’ll always bring that French elegance and a nose for fun into your life!