Back when the only meat on the supper table was from game shot earlier in the day, not everyone could afford a horse on which to hunt, and long legged hunting dogs used by wealthier hunters were impractical for a person on foot. In France, the solution for hunters of humbler means was to restrict the speed of their dogs, and that meant shortening the length of leg. Selective breeding and evolution yielded several “basset” breeds, basset coming from an old French word “bas(se)” that literally means “low” or “short.” While most of us are familiar with the Basset Hound, there are, in fact, six basset breeds (that we know of), and one of them is the Basset Bleu de Gascogne.
French in origin like the other basset breeds, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne’s historical rootstock is the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, an ancient scenthound from the Gascony region. Slightly taller than some of the other bassets, the Basset Bleu is a nice study of form following function: Its dwarfed legs not only ensure a more leisurely pace for the hunting following the dog, but enable the hound to pursue its prey through dense vegetation, and enter its den or tunnel. Long, impressive ears trap scent molecules stirred up in the wake of the animal in pursuit, while the mottle blue coat stands up to the bright sunshine of the Gascony region. An added benefit inherited from its ancestor is a melodious howl set loose once a scent is located.
While the exact origins of the breed may be debated (some speculate that the Grand Bleu was crossed with a Saintongeois Basset, others suspect a natural mutation of the Grand combined with selective breeding for shorter legs), its antiquity isn’t. Fourteenth century paintings record the existence of the Basset Bleu, and records hint that Gaston III of Foix-Béarn, the author of the Livre de chasse, a classic treatise on medieval hunting, kept a pack of these dogs to hunt wild boar and wolves.
A decline in hunting during the early 19th century nearly rendered the breed extinct, but Alain Bourbon, the author of Nos Bassets Français, resurrected the breed over ten years involving a few related breeds such as the Petit Bleu de Gascogne. Though few outside of France are aware of the breed these days, it maintains a healthy population and is considered safe from extinction. The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is currently recognized by the United Kennel Club and the FCI.
Image by Johanna Tillonen of Bbdg Lõvisüda Ingeborg from Estonia, breeder Karmen Palm
Beautiful dog. Looks rather like a short-legged version of our Bluetick Coonhound.
It kind of does, doesn’t it, Linda?
great dogs, my coonhound friends call mine “dem stumpy legged Blue dawgs”
Great picture, Corky, and inquiring minds want to know (OK. WE want to know) how you came to have such an uncommon breed?
WOW there is no short answer to that question!!!! back in the 80’s I read about them in a hound magazine, it took 12 years and took a trip to France to find someone that would talk to me about them, and a day long interview to get approved.
i imported my 1st pair about 3 weeks later. I’ve imported 3 more since, to have enough of a gene pool to work with. right now i believe there are less than 75 in the country. if anyone else has them in the USA, please get in touch.
the BBdG’s are great hounds, used for many things, Blood tracking, rabbit hunting, boar and deer in Europe, i’ve even taken mine bear hunting as a check dog.
i feel they are smarter than the average hound, and little to no health problems compared to the Basset Hound.
like i said …no short answer
Here a picture of my sweet and smart Bleu de Gascogne.
The love of my life
Greetings from the Netherlands
They make companion dogs too. Gentle souls with a keen mind. Especially if you provide them with long walks in woodes area’s and scent trails (hide & seek)
We have to chuckle, Corky – there’s never a “short” answer when the question is about a wonderful breed, and how one came to include one in the family. You provide wonderful insight into how finding that perfect breed is done: Homework, research, meeting one in person, and so on. Do we understand correctly that you’re in the United States?
yes, I live in the USA…… Wisconsin
I found Corky and our Basset Bleu via a Bluetick owner. I told her I wanted a Bluetick nut my husband had always wanted a Basset Hound. She laughed and gave me Corky’ s contact information. We love this athletic, loving breed.
Christi, what a delightful compromise!!
Coe is only a year old and has earned her UKC Championship. She is also started in obedience, rally, and barn hunt with our adolescent son. She has even been introduced to the harness for weight pull. She has been a wonderful fit for our family.
We have two Basset Bleu de Gascogne. One from Austria and one from Denmark. We are from Germany. Wonderful dogs for what you drive some thousand kilometres to get!
What a wonderful picture, Antje!!! What are their names?
Their names are “Fodnote Blue Night Shadow’ *10/05/16 on the left. His parents are DKCh Ornella vom Kurath-Loch and DKCh Fodnote Blue Magic. We call him” Michel”.
On the right you see “Ch. Ovid vom Kurath-Loch” *25.06.14 VDH-DCh, VDH-BS ’16 u.’17., VDH-ES ’17, VDH-JS ’17. His parents are ICh ÖCh Lionel vom Kurath-Loch and ÖCh Galice des Plaines de la Mare Jouenne. We call him “Robert”
Michel, our wild danish boy…
….and our Champion Robert!
My Basset bleu de gasconge. 5 months old.
Here a picture of my sweet and smart Bleu de Gascogne.
The love of my life
Greetings from the Netherlands
Hello, Maartje, from the Rocky Mountains of America. We are delighted to hear from you and see your sweet Bleu!
After a number of months research about the Basset Bleu de Gascogne and meeting with a Show Exhibitor in the UK, I decided that this would be a Dog I would like. After some more research I found a Breeder in France who would sell me a dog. Then less than a year later I was able to get another.
At the end of 2017 we were able to breed our first litter.
We now have 3 Basset Bleu de Gascogne and hope to add more.
We live in Northern Ireland.
Thanks for writing, Margo!! And here we thought the Basset Bleu was somewhat rare, and yet we’ve gotten several wonderful comments from owners! Any chance you have pictures of your puppies?
Here are pictures of Mum & Dad in an advert I had made
Here is a picture of the puppies at 8 weeks
We have Eddie from Margo and Norman… speedy, strong and intelligent dogs. Beautiful temperament. Margo gave us a long interview even before we could have Eddie as a puppy.
here is a page from “Dog World “
I have owned five “Bleu’s,” four of which I got from Corky Meyer’s stock. Great dogs! They are friendly, if somewhat shy, but usually only initially, and my current hounds, Watson and Joker, are great watchdogs. Unfortunately, I can’t afford to hunt, but based on what I’ve seen, I’m certain this breed are good at tracking game.
James we LOVE hearing about an uncommon breed from someone who knows it best, an owner! How did you come to want such an uncommon breed?
Here is male and female. Lemmy and Elli from Finland.
Hello, Lemmy and Elli, from the Rocky Mountain area of the US!!
Just love my happy little boy so much. Playful, mischievous and affectionate, a super breed.
Beverly, that face is to die for!
He is just the happiest and most sociable dog in the world. After my beautiful Rottweiler died in June 17 I struggled to find a new companion. My age and circumstances ruled out another Rottie. As luck had it, my daughter found Dave needing a new home when his loving owners had a change in circumstances. A bit of research suggested he may suit me, one meeting and I fell in love. I have still never seen or met another of this wonderful rare breed.
Such a sweet picture, Beverly, and how lucky Dave was that you found him! I would have no way of knowing of upcoming litters, but there IS a breeder in this thread of comments – Corky. Perhaps you could contact her?
I would if I could, but i don’t know how,….any help ?
Beverly, i think you know how to contact me,
Always loved this breed! They are such sweet dogs!
Well done Corky. One day I may just scale down to the shorter version. Which still has the strength and character of the Bleu, but it’s lower height means it can pull down harder.
I’ve heard from contacts in France that photo credit for your picture goes to : “yes i know this dog it is ……Du mas Gauthier….. it is dead the producteur (breeder) …… MARCEL VULVIN” there are few enough in the world, didn’t take long to identify him.
My princess Holly is 6!
My Bleu Mavis. Lovely girl, lovely breed.
We are astonished at the number of breed owners of what we think is an uncommon breed, and heartened by the devotion you all have to your Bleus (if that’s the correct plural form). Thank you for sharing your delightful picture, Annie!
thank you National Purebred Dogs for posting about our Bleu’s, as you can see we are small group World wide, but a close knit family. most country’s were heard from, thanks
Corky, it’s our absolute pleasure, truly! Something we’d like you to consider? We have a feature we call the “Purebred of Interest” in which we invite the owners and breeders of a breed to answer questions we post (as well as any that come up) on our Facebook page. Questions have to do with what it’s actually like to live with a breed, and that includes questions about grooming, health testing, suitability in a household with children or the elderly, pros and cons, and so forth. In the past, the feature has been two days long, but we’re trying a one day format of late. Sometimes, the breed has been quite rare (the Caravan Hound of India comes to mind), and sometimes it’s hugely popular, but always, our goal is to introduce a breed to our readers and recruit breed experts – the owners – to help people not only expand their horizons, but learn if this is a breed for them. Would you consider taking part in such a thing?
as for myself, i’d be happy to help any way I can. I’m sure the rest of the “family” would pitch in if the call to questions needing answers is made. it would be best done if I got a little heads up on a date. let me send this up the flag pole and see who salutes.
We have a wonderful Bleu puppy that we got from Corky. Her name is Nanette and she is just over a year old. We had another Bleu many years ago that we got from a breeder in CA who is no longer breeding. We also have several basset hounds. We find the Basset Bleu de Gascogne to be a very unique breed. I would also be happy to answer questions with Corky, as well.
Stephanie, Nanette is wonderful! We hope you join us on our Facebook page this Thursday, April 5, when we highlight the Bleu the entire day!
I have had many Bleus over the years, each unique and amazing, they are stubborn, sweet, loyal, and funny. They can be challenging, but the joy they have brought me is priceless. I hope I never have to be without at least 1 by my side.
Gretchen, it would seem that you are hardly alone. As we told someone earlier, we are gobsmacked at the response to this post by actual owners of the breed. We’re completely delighted!!
Here’s our lil’ beauty Maude, from Corky’s USA stock. We were always a coonhound family, and my dad really wanted one last blue dog. Problem was, he was a bit frail and we were worried a large dog could knock him off balance. So I thought, if only I could find a bluetick, with that awesome hound personality, but smaller. Thus my search led me to Corky and these amazing blues. Maude has a delightful personality, and has been so good for our family ❤️
A delightful picture that says a thousand words, Sara, and wonderful insight into a breed many of us don’t know! We’re pleased your dad could have that one last blue (and is there a better name for a Bleu than “Maude???” Thank you so very much for writing andsharing your experience and picture!
Hello,
I’am a breeders for over 20 years in France.
I currently have 15 bassets bleu de gascogne
Breeding ” des vallées longeronnaises”
Thanks, Dominique, good to know!
Please keep me informed of planned litters, or perhaps any bleu de Gascogne in need of a loving home. I wish to help make this lovely breed more widely known in Uk
Beverly, you may be surprised at just how many BBdG’s there are in the UK
I brought Bryan at 5months as a family couldn’t cope with him. I knew nothing about the breed but after a lot of research and being friends with corkey I have learnt a lot about them. I would of liked to of known where he actually came from. But I’ve not met anyone yet who has one in the UK. He’s a great cheeky boy.
Verity (love that name!), thank you for sharing Bryan’s photograph with us. We’re coming to learn that this breed has a legion of fans, and if we can help facilitate all of you finding each other through this section, we’d be honored and delighted.
Hi, I’m Malla from Finland. I came here from the Neatherlands 2 years ago.
In Finland there is not so many Bleu’s, only 3 females and 2 males, I think.
We suspect that as word gets about about this breed, Malla, we’ll be seeing more of these dogs everywhere!
Hello from Vienna, the City of Opera and Waltz! My country has right now 15 Bassets Bleu de Gascogne and one Grand Bleu. Out of the 15 I am owned and well trained by two – called Vicky (7yrs) and Lilly (2 yes in June). ?
Vicky and Lilly are descendants of the „Kurath Loch“ kennel in Carinthia/ distr. of Austria from Susanne Lang. Their mothers are a Polish Kennel and a Czech Championess. So both are pure bred.
I am their grateful and humbel servant, chauffeur, entertainer, belly petter and cook.
I am not hunting and I do not do scent work but we walk a lot and they have lots of four legged friends to play with. I have trained not to follow traces because I love to walk without leash innthe woods with them. Yes , it works and they are great dogs.
Vicky is size wise built like a Basset Hound but wears a Basset Bleu coat, she is a quite independant dog, very friendly and would even love and welcome thieves.
Lilly is very fragil, elegant and has extra long ears , a Bleu Beauty, she is very obedient (!!!) , she loves and is eager to learn, she is friendly as well but always needs time to warm up and she woud hunt burglars down.
I am helping Bassets In Need via an Austrian animal welfare organisation – http://www.animalcare-austria.at . Tre are some BH in need but rearly a Bleu. You do find abandonned bleis in soithern European countries sich as Cyprus, Italy, France and sometimes Greece, bought by hunters and then abandonned because of being not aggressive or not aggressive enough in their hunting method. This makes me very mad. Uneducated people purchase the dogs without knowingbthatbthey are pack dogs, that means they also hunt and act in their hunting strategy as pack dogs!
Bleus are very sensible and have such gentle souls. Whenever bleus meet they immediately form a pack and do know their rank in the pack. I am enchanted by this old, wonderful French breed that once was the pack dog of the French kings.
For me the Bleu breeds are my personal sould dogs!
On the pic you see Vicky
Thank you, Barbara, for a vivid description of a breed with which many of us are unfamiliar. They sound utterly enchanting, but it breaks our heart to hear of abandoned ones. We would so love to meet one of these chaps for ourselves on day….
I have Petit basset griffin vandeen for over 25 years and love this breed
Does the Bleu smell much and are they easily house trained
Thanks in advance x
this is long eared Lilly as a baby/ 3 months
What a cutie, Barbara!
My Bbdg Molly? She is ny 3’th bbdg. An import from France. I hunt with ny dogs.