What Are the Traits and Care Requirements of the Grand Bleu De Gascogne?

Grand Bleu de Gascogne: long legs and blue mottling

The Grand Bleu de Gascogne shares a blue-mottled coat pattern with the Basset Bleu, but has a much taller, longer-legged outline. The comparison is useful for deciding how adult size and a substantial outdoor routine will fit into everyday life.

A tall French hound

The FCI standard describes a rather long, supported back and a long, broad chest reaching to elbow level. Its short, fairly thick, very dense coat is mottled black and white, producing the slate-blue appearance, with black patches and characteristic head markings.

FCI height is 65–72 cm for males and 62–68 cm for females. The earlier UK description instead gives 64–70 cm and 60–65 cm. These are different ranges, so keep their source visible when comparing adult size. Neither description supplies a numeric weight range.

Room at home and time outdoors

The earlier UK guide lists more than two hours of daily exercise, a large house, large garden and either town or country. The breed’s own RKC guide, read on 15 October 2026, shows the same categories.

Use those categories to make a practical plan: suitable walks, time for shared outdoor activity and boundaries that can be checked and maintained. Think about where a tall adult hound will rest, turn and travel as well as where it will exercise. A large garden is a resource to use, rather than the whole activity plan.

Purina’s overview describes an hour of walking daily, while its fuller exercise section calls for at least two hours. Those figures do not provide one consistent daily target. Discuss the dog’s activity with the breeder and adapt outings to its age and condition, keeping the UK category separate.

Weekly brushing and ear checks

The UK grooming category is weekly. Purina’s own Grand Bleu guide likewise recommends brushing once a week and regularly checking the long, hanging ears for cleanliness. Include those checks when looking over the coat rather than judging care solely by the short hair.

The earlier UK description calls the hair smooth and not too short, while FCI emphasises density and thickness. A breeder or groomer can demonstrate working through the actual coat and help you plan the handling time.

Compare scale and coat

Basset Bleu de Gascogne have a much lower body, with an approximate FCI height-to-length ratio of 5:8. Bloodhounds have a rectangular body, conspicuous head and neck folds and separate approximate weight guidance. Look at the complete outline and daily care arrangements before choosing between superficially similar long-eared hounds.