Petit Bleu de Gascogne
Petit Bleu de Gascogne Appearance
The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is directly descended from the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, a hound of ancient type. Smaller examples of the Grand Bleu de Gascogne were selected for hunting small game such as hare (the Grand Bleu de Gascogne was developed to hunt wolves, bears and boars) and eventually became a separate breed. It is a medium-large size dog, not a small dog, standing 52 to 58 cm (20.5 to 23 ins) at the withers, with females slightly smaller.
The Petit Bleu de Gascogne color of the coat is the same as the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, white mottled with black, giving a slate blue overall appearance. There are black patches on either side of the head, with a white area on top of the head which has in it a small black oval. Tan "eyebrow" marks are over each eye give a 'quatreoeuillé' (four-eyed) effect. Faults are deviations in appearance that have an effect on the health and working ability of the dog, as well as an absence of expected features of color, structure, and size, indicating that a dog with such faults should not be bred. Faults include aggression or fearfulness, anatomical malformation, and lack of type.
The Petite Bleu de Gascogne is noted for working well in a pack and being calm and easy to handle.
Petit Bleu de Gascogne Health and temperament
No unusual health problems or claims of extraordinary health have been documented for this dog breed. Temperament of individual dogs may vary, but in general dogs bred to be pack hunting dogs do not make good pets.
