The ears of the Blue Gascony Basset (Basset Bleu de Gascogne) say it all. The FCI standard calls the thin, folded ears an essential feature of this dog: narrow at the base, pointed at the tip and long enough to reach beyond the nose. Add a baying voice you can immediately pick out in a pack.
| FCI | Group 6 (Scent hounds and related breeds), Section 1.3 Small-sized scent hounds, Standard No. 35, with working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | France |
| Size (height at the withers) | Males and females 34 to 38 cm |
| Weight | not specified in the FCI standard |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | short, moderately thick and dense |
| Colours in the standard | entirely black-and-white mottled, giving a slate-blue appearance, with or without black patches; two black patches on the sides of the head, tan spots above the eyes and traces of tan on cheeks, lips, ears, legs and beneath the tail |
A small descendant of the Great Blue
It should faithfully represent the large breed from which it descends, the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. According to the standard, hunters in western France revived the breed at the beginning of the 19th century. Its conformation has since improved without abandoning the qualities of the so-called southern hounds. It hunts with the gun, occasionally in pursuit hunts, equally well alone or in a pack, preferably for rabbits and hares. The rough-haired, longer-legged relative is the Griffon Bleu de Gascogne.
Cheerful, agile and keen to move
A very fine nose, active, agile and energetic, thorough when searching, plus that baying voice: the standard portrays a lively hunter that fits perfectly into a pack. It also describes an affectionate, cheerful dog needing to romp. The gentle, slightly sad expression is deceptive: plenty of energy lies behind it.
Slightly turned, not twisted
The standard is more restrained about the legs than for some other bassets. The forequarters should be strong; a slight turn up to a half-turn is tolerated rather than required. Twisted forelegs and an excessively long body lead to disqualification, while height to length is given as approximately 5 to 8. When viewing puppies, look for forelegs as straight and stable as possible and free, light movement.
Rabbit trails and recall
Provide long walks over varied terrain, sniffing tasks, tracking and calm scent work. A rabbit trail is this dog’s greatest love, so reliable off-lead freedom is rare. A long line and recall practised early make everyday life easier. Lots of jumping does not suit the build; staying lean does.
Little grooming, plenty of ear checks
Brush the short, dense coat once a week. The long, folded ears collect dirt and moisture, so check them regularly. The skin on the cheeks can also form one or two folds that need keeping clean.
Health: limited evidence
We found no study giving figures for this breed, and McMillan and colleagues’ large British longevity analysis lists it but does not analyse it. Ask the breed club about examinations of the parents and breeding goals for the legs.
A good match if
you enjoy being outdoors, like a loud canine voice, have time for scent work and want a cheerful, cuddly dog. Less suitable if neighbours are sensitive, the dog would often be alone or you insist on off-lead walks. In that case, its baying is better heard in the distance than on your stairs.
Check how well a vocal scent hound suits you in the breed quiz; our book goes deeper: “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For the first weeks, the free Puppy Starter Pack can help. That blue mottling looks lovely on a poster in a wooden frame, with further styles in our dog portraits.
Further reading
- Beagle: a nose with a dog attached, and what that means day to day
- Leaving your dog alone: learning without drama (step by step)
- The first 30 days with a puppy: a plan for weeks 1 to 4
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 35 Basset Bleu de Gascogne (fci.be, German and English versions dated 01.09.2023, valid original standard dated 01.08.2023); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024 (breed listed but not analysed).
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