| This large and leggy hound is well known | | | | Labrador retriever or other large dogs |
| outside of France, its country of origin, | | | | weighing about 80 pounds. This gives him a |
| even though there are few examples of the | | | | lean appearance but this is deceiving for he |
| breed elsewhere except in the dog shows of | | | | is a well built dog and has considerable |
| Europe and Great Britain. This breed is | | | | endurance for the hunt if he is conditioned. |
| often termed the "King of Hounds" because of | | | | These hounds have a slow gait and a |
| its remarkable stature and great beauty. | | | | methodical approach to the hunt, which is a |
| Furthermore this hound is noted for its | | | | useful trait in the hot climate of southern |
| tenacity on the hunt and its deep and | | | | France, where everything seems to move at a |
| melodious voice. The Grand Bleu is tall but | | | | relaxed pace. This is a typical hound in |
| proportionate in size and is marked with | | | | manner and affability, being gentle and |
| black patches on a mottled roan background | | | | accepting of people and quite comfortable as |
| with tan. The black patches on the head must | | | | a house dog or a kennel dog. His greatest |
| always cover both ears and the sides of the | | | | joy is to go on the hunt however and since he |
| head and the entire body is so mottled as to | | | | is independent as most hounds are he needs to |
| leave the impression of blue roan | | | | be in a fenced area if kept outside.This is a |
| coloration.There are four dogs which come | | | | hound that is quite strong physically. His |
| from the region of Gascogne in France, all | | | | natural playfulness as a puppy and his large |
| have the Gascogne designation in their name; | | | | size can make him a real nuisance to have in |
| they are believed to be among the purest of | | | | a household until he learns to be mannerly. |
| the hound dogs since they are directly | | | | Because of his large size he needs early |
| descended from the original Phoenician hounds | | | | training in obedience as do all large dogs. |
| crossed with the Gallic scenting hounds. The | | | | Generally the Bleu De Gascogne is little used |
| Grand Bleu lays claim to being the direct | | | | as a hound today and he is more of a dog that |
| descendant of the now extinct Chien Courant, | | | | is shown . He is registered by both the |
| a hound of legendary strength and size. The | | | | F.C.I. and the Kennel Club of Great Britain |
| Grand Bleu was known to bring down wolves in | | | | but is not recognized by the A.K.C. The |
| the early days, now it is a hound that is | | | | Grand Bleu de Gascogne has become a breed |
| used primarily for hunting deer and wild | | | | that is admired as a home or farm companion |
| boar.The Grand Bleu is nearly as tall as the | | | | of great gentleness and affection. Yet the |
| larger Giant breeds such as the Newfoundland | | | | dog has a voice that will intimidate the |
| or the Great Pyr but does not carry nearly | | | | strangers on the property and consequently he |
| the weight. It can be 29-29 inches at the | | | | makes a reliable watchdog also. |
| shoulder but the weight is that of the | | | | |