Most important facts
- Group
- Hound
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 16–18 kg
- Lifespan
- 10–14 years
- Coat
- Short, dense
- Energy
- High
- Height
- 30–38 cm
- Colours
- Blue-mottled with black and tan
- Shedding
- Moderate
- Est. feeding cost
- ~£32/mo
- Gear to consider
- Slow-feeder bowl, pet ramp or steps for furniture, ear-cleaning solution
Typical dry food, adult
About the Basset Bleu de Gascogne
The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is an old French pack hound from Gascony, bred down from the tall Grand Bleu hounds so that hunters on foot could keep up with the pack. The mottled blue-black coat and the deep, carrying voice are family trademarks going back centuries. It nearly disappeared in the early twentieth century before French enthusiasts rebuilt the breed, and it remains a rarity in Britain.
Bred to hunt in packs across rough French country, the Basset Bleu is bold, shrewd and quietly affectionate with its own family, while staying reserved with strangers. Once the nose engages, recall becomes a negotiation, so secure fencing and long-line work matter more here than in most breeds.
At home this hound is calm and easy-going, but it is a pack animal at heart and does not thrive alone for long stretches. Expect baying if solitary hours become the norm. Early, patient socialisation and food-based training make the most of a dog that will genuinely work for its dinner.
Common health conditions
Things Basset Bleu de Gascogne owners commonly watch for. Guidance, not veterinary advice.
Ear infections
Long, low-set ears trap moisture and debris, so check and clean them regularly to head off painful infections.
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
The long back is vulnerable to disc problems. Keep this breed lean and discourage jumping on and off furniture.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Feed two or three smaller meals from a slow feeder rather than one large one, and rest around mealtimes in this deep-chested breed.
Hip dysplasia
A joint condition seen across hound breeds. Health-tested parents and a lean body condition both support the hips long-term.
Feeding a Basset Bleu de Gascogne
A deep-chested breed carries a real risk of bloat, so split the day's food into two or three smaller meals from a slow feeder and keep hard exercise away from mealtimes as a standing habit. Portion to the day's actual activity rather than a fixed amount, because working days and sofa days are different meals. Two meals a day is the minimum sensible rhythm here.
This is a strongly food-motivated hound, so weight creeps on quickly when treats go untracked. The long back makes that expensive, because every extra kilo adds leverage to a spine already at risk of disc trouble. A lean waistline, joint-aware recipe and weighed portions do the protective work.
Every dog is different — weight, age and activity all shift what a Basset Bleu de Gascogne needs. The turns these breed tendencies into a shortlist matched to your dog’s age, size, budget and needs.
Typical adult weight
16–18 kg
Est. daily calories
670–1,100 kcal
A broad guide for an average-activity adult in good body condition — not veterinary advice. Real needs vary with age, neutering, activity, health and body condition, so no two Basset Bleu de Gascognes eat exactly the same. Get a personalised estimate or estimate feeding costs.
- Per day
- ~£1.07
- Per month
- ~£32
- Per year
- ~£390
A broad typical monthly budget guide, not a live price quote. Food format, calorie density, pack size and retailer pricing all change the real cost.
Find the right food for your Basset Bleu de Gascogne
Foods ranked to your dog
Answer a few quick questions and the Food Finder ranks foods to your Basset Bleu de Gascogne by score, price, life stage and fit.
Breed at a glance
- Exercise needs7/10
- Appetite8/10
- Trainability5/10
- Good with children7/10
- Shedding4/10
- Tolerates being alone3/10
The good & the worth-knowing
The good
- Affectionate and loyal once settled
- A superb nose and real stamina
- A low-maintenance short coat
Worth knowing
- Nose-led independence slows training
- Feeding and exercise timing need thought
- Unsuited to long hours alone
Best matched accessories
All accessories →The collections that suit the breed, judged by the same independent standard.
Common owner questions
How much exercise does a Basset Bleu de Gascogne need?
Plenty. This is a working scent hound bred for hours in the field. Aim for around two hours of varied daily activity, with sniffing walks and scent games plus secure off-lead time, never one short outing.
How much should I feed a Basset Bleu de Gascogne?
Set the amount by their waistline, and split it across two or three meals from a slow feeder to help guard against bloat. The Food Finder can narrow down a recipe and portion for this build and activity level.
Are Basset Bleu de Gascognes prone to putting on weight?
Yes. They are notably food-motivated, and because the long back is already vulnerable, extra weight makes spinal and joint trouble more likely. Careful portions and counted treats matter more than usual.
Are Basset Bleu de Gascognes good with children and other dogs?
Generally yes. Bred to work in packs, they are typically sociable with other dogs and affectionate with their family's children, though the baying voice and hunting instinct are worth knowing about in advance. Early introductions make it easy.