Gascon saintongeois

In the mid-nineteenth century, Count Joseph de Carayon-Latour wished to regenerate the Saintonge hunting dog breed, which was dying out. The creation of the large Gascon Saintongeois was accomplished by crossing the last descendants of the Saintonge dog with the blue Gascony dogs of Baron de Ruble. The small Gascon Saintongeois was selected in the mid-twentieth century by a few hunters from the southwest from the large Gascon Saintongeois to create a pack-hunting dog for hares. The small Gascon Saintongeois is a fairly uncommon variety outside mainland France.

The Gascon Saintongeois is described as calm and affectionate in the FCI standard. It is a brave, tenacious, and hardy hunting dog.

The Gascon Saintongeois is a well-built dog, giving an impression of strength and elegance. The breed exists in two size varieties; the large Gascon Saintongeois measures 65 to 72 cm for males and 62 to 68 cm for females, and the small Gascon Saintongeois measures 56 to 62 cm for males and 54 to 59 cm for females. The tail, carried like a sword blade, reaches the point of the hock. The lines of the skull and muzzle are divergent; the skull is rounded with a slightly marked stop. Oval in shape, the eyes are brown bordered with black. Fine and wavy, the drooping ears reach the tip of the nose and show the skull clearly. The coat is short and dense. The coat is white, marked with black, sometimes lightly mottled. Two black patches placed on each side of the head cover the ears and the area around the eyes. The cheeks are tan colored, preferably pale. Two tan marks are placed above the eyebrows. Tan traces are present on the inner surface of the ear and in the form of ticking along the limbs. Some tan hair may appear on the upper part of the ear without giving the head a tricolored appearance. The back of the thigh may bear the "roe mark."