Furry Diary

Grand Bleu de Gascogne

Also called Large Blue Gascony Hound, Great Gascony Blue

Recognised breedFCI group 6Short profile

From France (Gascony, south-west France)123

A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.

At a glance the quick version

Weight32 to 54 kg43
Height, male64 to 72 cm124
Height, female60 to 68 cm124
Lifespan10 to 12 years4
Sizelarge

FCI gives no weight. Purina UK gives 32-35 kg; Wikipedia gives 80-120 lb (about 36-54 kg). Not split by sex.

calm and noble
friendly, even temper
deep, musical voice
123

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, thick and dense

A tall, stately hound with long ears and a short, very dense coat. Fine black and white mottling blends into a slate-blue look, set off by black head patches and tan marks above the eyes.132

Coloursblack and white mottled (slate blue) with black patches and tan markings123

Personality what they are like

Quietly dignified and even-tempered, this hound is friendly with people and focused and determined on a trail. It is a natural pack dog with a rich, deep bay, and it can seem relaxed at home once its exercise needs are met.124

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High: plan on two hours or more of walking daily plus safe off-lead running and chances to use its nose, such as scent work or tracking.4

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Easy care: brush every few days and check paws and long ears after outings.4

Home where they are happiest

Best in a spacious, rural or active home with secure outdoor space.42

Company who they like around

A pack hound by nature that enjoys canine company; early socialisation with other pets and livestock is recommended.14

The story where it all began

One of France's oldest scent hounds, it formed the hunting packs of Gaston Fébus, Count of Foix, in the 1300s and later of King Henry IV. It became the root stock of the southern French hounds and reached America in the 1700s.13

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    In 1785 the Marquis de Lafayette sent seven of these hounds to George Washington, who likened their voices to the bells of Moscow.3

  2. 2

    In Britain the breed is sometimes nicknamed the 'Frenchie'.3

  3. 3

    It helped shape other hounds, including the Gascon Saintongeois, the Bluetick Coonhound and the Dumfriesshire Hound.3

  4. 4

    The tan spots above its eyes give the classic 'four-eyed' face described in the standard.1

Recognised by the official bits

FCI
Standard No. 22, Group 6 (Scent hounds); current standard dated 18 Feb 19971
UKC
Recognised January 1991, Scenthound Group2
Société Centrale Canine
National breed standard (France)3

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Grand Bleu de Gascogne. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

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Treats they will love homemade and simple

Simple Carrot Crunchies

Carrots are low in calories and high in fibre, making them a crunchy, satisfying treat that won't pile on the pounds.

You need

  • 1 large carrot, washed and peeled

How

  1. Cut the carrot into thin, bite-sized sticks or rounds.
  2. Steam or boil the carrot pieces for 5–7 minutes until just tender, or serve raw for extra crunch.
  3. Allow to cool completely before offering to your dog.

How much: Give 2–3 small pieces per day for a medium-sized dog, adjusting for your dog's size and daily calorie allowance.

Recipe from The Kennel Club

Pumpkin & Yoghurt Pup-Cup

Pumpkin is packed with fibre and vitamins, helping dogs feel full without extra calories, and low-fat yoghurt keeps it light.

You need

  • 1 cooking pumpkin
  • ½ cup lactose-free, low-fat yoghurt
  • ½ cup lactose-free, low-fat whipping cream
  • Cinnamon, to sprinkle

How

  1. Peel the pumpkin and remove all seeds.
  2. Cut the flesh into small pieces and steam for 15 minutes until soft.
  3. Mash the cooked pumpkin until smooth and let it cool completely.
  4. Mix 1 tablespoon of the mashed pumpkin with the yoghurt.
  5. Spoon the mixture into a small paper cup.
  6. Whip the cream until soft peaks form and spoon it on top of the yoghurt mixture.
  7. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of cinnamon over the cream.

How much: One pup-cup is plenty for a medium-sized dog as an occasional treat. Adjust portion size for smaller or larger dogs.

Recipe from Dogs Trust

Homemade Dog Biscuits (Chicken & Rice)

A simple, tasty treat made from gentle ingredients that are easy on sensitive stomachs, perfect for rewarding without upset.

You need

  • 1 egg
  • 170g boiled chicken breast
  • 100g cooked plain rice
  • 60ml chicken stock (homemade or no added salt)
  • 680g plain flour (adjust as needed for consistency)

How

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
  2. Blitz the boiled chicken, cooked rice, and chicken stock in a blender until smooth.
  3. Transfer to a bowl, add the egg and flour, and mix well.
  4. Dust a clean surface with flour, turn out the dough, and knead until no longer sticky.
  5. Roll dough to about 1cm thickness and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter.
  6. Place on the tray and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.
  7. Cool completely before serving.

How much: 1–2 biscuits as an occasional treat for a medium-sized healthy dog. Adjust for your dog's size, age, and activity level.

Recipe from Blue Cross

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise.

You might also like

Petit Bleu de GascogneBasset Bleu de GascogneGriffon Bleu de GascogneGascon SaintongeoisBluetick Coonhound
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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.

  1. FCI-Standard N° 22 fci.beused for history, size, coat, colour, temperament
  2. UKC Grand Bleu de Gascogne ukcdogs.comused for recognition, size, temperament, colour
  3. Wikipedia: Grand Bleu de Gascogne en.wikipedia.orgused for history, weight, fun facts
  4. Purina UK: Grand Bleu de Gascogne purina.co.ukused for lifespan, weight, exercise, grooming

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.