Voltige - photo: P.L. de Haas
The Bleu de Gascogne is an old breed. During the period of Henry IV the baron de Ruble already has Gascogny hounds and the breed has grown up at the castle of Bruka for many generations. As the baron was very jalous and he never used strange blood, at the time of his death in 1892 the breed was still pure. His grandson the count of Scorraille had the same attitude. In 1900 this was clearly seen at the exposition in Paris. Eight years later there was only one critic: the coat became too black.
It was not possible to keep the group alive without using strange blood. The Bloodhound could not been used, his type had been changed so much of that of the Saint Hubert, that it was better to look for another breed. At the Gascon Saintongeois, a white black dog or the Ariegeois. The hunt with big brave dogs was often too heavy. Therefore people changed them for bastards or English hounds.
The Grand Bleu de Gascogne has a royal appereance. The shoulderheight is between 62 and 72 cm. The colour is entirely mottled (black and white) giving a slate blue colouring effect. The coat is marked with more or less extended black patches. Some dogs have a red-copper appearance (lie de vin). The last mentioned colour is not appreciated. Also there are white Gascogny hounds with some spots. Only the ears are black (and brown (or red) inside).
Photo: Alice van Kempen