Petit Bleu de Gascogne

All blue Gascony hounds are descended from crosses of ancient French scent hounds including the Saint Hubert Hound. The Large Blue Gascony Hound is, however, considered the precursor of the other blue Gascony breeds. Known for its hunting talents, this breed is an intentional reduction of the Large Blue Gascony Hound to adapt it to the size of small game such as hare for example. The breed is fairly widespread and well represented.

The Small Blue Gascony Hound is described in the Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard as a diligent hunter, calm and affectionate. Blue Gascony hounds in general are considered docile and very attached to their master, very gentle with children and sociable with other dogs.

The Small Blue Gascony Hound is a medium-sized scent hound, well-proportioned, of distinguished bearing. The body is massive and powerful. The fine tail reaches the point of the hock. It is carried saber-like. The head is rather elongated in shape, with a broad black nose with well-opened nostrils and scissors bite. Oval in shape, the eyes are brown and of gentle expression. The ears are moderately fine and papilloted. The coat is short, medium-coarse and well-supplied. The coat is entirely speckled black and white, giving a slate blue reflection. It is marked or not with black spots of varying sizes. Two black spots are generally placed on each side of the head and cover the ears and the area around the eyes. These spots do not meet on top of the skull: a small oval black spot is frequently found in the white interval. Two tan marks of varying intensity are placed above the eyebrow arch. Tan traces are present on the cheeks, lips, inside of the ear, on the limbs and under the tail.