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Gascony Province lies on the southwestern coast of France, near the Pyrenees Mountains and the Spanish border. Their hounds are of the classic French type, descending directly from the original scenting dogs of Gaul and the Phoenician hound trade. The Gascony stands beside the ancient French griffons as the two types from which most of the modern breeds developed. The Grand is one of the few modern breeds left from the Grand Chiens Courants of the past.
The Grand Bleu originally was used to hunt wolf and, like so many breeds for that purpose, nearly worked himself out of existence with his efficiency in making the European wolf extinct. France's King Henry IV, who reigned in the late 1500s and early 1600s, owned a renowned pack of this breed.
The Grand Bleu is one of the world's largest scent hounds. Only of moderate speed, he is known for his great ability to raise game by his tremendous endurance, his marvelous nose, and a strong and sonorous voice heard at great distance. A reputation as the "coldest nosed" dog is well earned, giving voice long after the "hot" scent has faded. He is built leggy and square, and is aristocratic looking, with no ponderance or heaviness. Many packs remain in France today, and are used on hare, deer and boar.
Many of this breed were brought to America and used in the development of American coon-hound breeds. The Gascony probably first arrived in the late 17th century with French explorers. In 1785, General Lafayette gave seven purebred Grand Bleu Gasconies to General George Washington. Washington was known as a hound fancier and breeder, and he noted in his diary that, in October of that first year, one of the French Gascony bitches gave birth to 15 purebred puppies! He also remarked that their melodious voices were like the bells of Moscow. Gasconies were imported to America in the late 1800s and again during the mid-1900s. Because they lacked the trailing speed and the ability to locate quickly that was so desired for American coon hunting, they never gained a foothold as a pure breed in the Western World. But crossed with native hounds, they increased coldtrailing ability and endurance,
The Petit Bleu was bred down from the Grand to handle smaller quarry. Except for size, he is basically judged on the same standard as the Grand. He tends to be a bit more refined in head and compact of body. As a smaller dog, he is not only speedier but eats less, and is easier to keep and to transport. The breed is especially adept at finding and coursing rabbit, and it is said in France that "going hunting with a Petit Bleu means never coming home with an empty game bag,"
The Basset version is a short-legged Grand, and is still a highly prized hunting companion. His handsome appearance, joyous and enthusiastic attitude to the hunt, as well as his pleasant and affectionate personality make him a pleasure to own. Some have found places as companion dogs.
Rarest of the Gascony hounds is the Petit Griffon Bleu, a product of the Petit crossed with wire-coated hounds. Except for his short, wiry jacket and slightly smaller size, he should be similar to the Petit in conformation and color. He is a rustic dog, and is a methodical and untiring worker with a keen nose.