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A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.

To view photos of this breed please visit the Kennel Club Picture Library

Interim (on Imported Breed Register)

General Appearance
One of the larger French hunting hounds with aristocratic long head, characteristic head markings and distinctive colour.

Characteristics
Highly developed sense of smell and deep bay.

Temperament
Gentle and kind.

Head and Skull
Large, long and distinguished. Occiput pronounced. Slight stop, loose skin covering head and forming one or two wrinkles along cheeks, lips pendulous and well pigmented. Black palate.  Excessive loose skin to be penalised.

Eyes
Dark chestnut colour, not prominent. Sad, trusting expression.

Ears
Set below the eyeline, fine, curled in, ending in a point and extending to just beyond the tip of nose when drawn forward.

Mouth
Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
Medium length, rounded, carrying moderate dewlap.

Forequarters
Strong, straight and well boned. Elbows close to body, shoulders well laid and muscular.

Body
Chest well developed, being long, wide and deep. Ribs moderately rounded; back rather long and muscular. Flanks deep and wide.

Hindquarters
Broad and well muscled. Hocks low to ground, set wide apart and parallel. Sloping croup. Prominent hip bones.

Feet
Long, oval, deep and well padded.

Tail
(Stern) Well set on, rather thick, fairly long and carried sickle fashion.

Gait/Movement
Loose limbed and long striding.

Coat
Smooth, weather resistant and not too short.

Colour
Black marked on a white base but covered entirely with black mottling which gives a blue appearance. Two black marks are found on head, covering each ear, enveloping eyes and stopping at cheeks. Blaze also mottled, but a small black mark is often found on skull, a characteristic of the breed. Above each eye a spot of tan gives breed ‘four-eyed’ effect. Tan marks also found on cheeks, lips, inside ears, on legs and under tail. Some hounds completely mottled, but always have required tan marks.

Size
Height: dogs: 64-70 cms (25-271/2 ins); bitches: 60-65 cms (231/2-251/2 ins).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - October 2009

Glossary of Canine Terms

Some links to health information and resources that may be relevant to this breed:

Veterinary screening schemes - The Kennel Club operates these with the British Veterinary Association.

DNA screening schemes - detect disease-causing mutations in a number of breeds.

Current Accredited Breeder Scheme health screening requirements and recommendations - for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder.

Breed Watch - a tool aimed at dog show judges and exhibitors to highlight and tackle any current concerns in a breed

Health Test results Finder Tool - access results of any official KC health testing scheme for Kennel Club registered dogs

2004 Purebred Dog Health Survey Results - Individual summaries are available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

BLEU DE GASCOGNE CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN. Sec. Mr C Roberts. Tel No: 01422 370855.

Date page created:

Categories:

Hound Group 

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