American Blue Gascon Hound

		American Blue Gascon Hound
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen
This breed is also known as			Big N' Blue Old Fashioned Blue Tick Old Time Blue (Tick)

A brief presentation of the American Blue Gascon Hound

The American Blue Gascon Hound is a large hunting dog developed in the United States from the Grand Bleu de Gascogne breed developed in France. These dogs are adept at stalking, hunting and bringing down all kinds of game, from wild boar to squirrels, and they tend to have the characteristic loud vocalizations of the barking dog, making them better neighbors at a distance. As family members, they are generally very energetic and are known to be particularly loyal and affectionate towards human and canine family members, but cannot be trusted with other animals.

History of the American Blue Gascon Hound

The history of the American Blue Gascon Hound is somewhat vague, and information on this dog's development is somewhat sparse. The Grand Bleu de Gascogne, ancestor of the American Blue Gascon Hound, developed in France, probably in Gascony. They were developed before the 14th century as hunting dogs capable of stalking and hunting larger game such as deer, wild boar and even wolves. Seven of the first of these ancestral dogs to be registered in the USA were imported to the country by a French nobleman, whom General Lafayette presented to George Washington in 1785. In France, the breed began to decline, but it became a foundation stock for several new breeds in France and other countries, including the Basset Bleu de Gascogne in France, the Dumfriesshire Hound in the UK and the Bluetick Coonhound in the USA. The American Blue Gascon Hound also began to develop during this period, but there were no associations or registries, their ancestry was generally not recorded and they didn't correspond to any official breed standard at the time, often due to their size. Fortunately, enthusiasts of this unique breed formed the American Blue Gascon Hound Association in 1976 and developed a clear standard to define the breed, enabling the American Blue Gascon Hound to be recognized by the Dog Registry of America and the Continental Kennel Club.

Appearance of the American Blue Gascon Hound

The American Blue Gascon Hound is one of the largest hunting dogs, usually standing 61 centimeters or more at the shoulder, with a long neck, deep chest and broad, muscular hips. They have a fairly large head with a slightly oval shape and a long, thick muzzle that sports the thick, heavy lips and large, open nostrils characteristic of most tracker breeds. Their dark, round eyes are neither deep nor protruding. They have long, thin ears that hang down their cheeks and often curve slightly. Their medium-length tails are carried high when excited or at attention, with a saber-like curve and well-padded, compact paws with oval-shaped toes. This breed is usually born with lots of white in its coat, but often darkens, adding more black, blue and tan markings as it matures.

Temperament of the American Blue Gascon Hound

This is a very active dog that was developed for speed, endurance and prey, but it was also designed to work closely with other people, so they tend to be very affectionate and loyal to their owners. Reliable around children, although interactions between small children and dogs should always be closely supervised. These dogs are rather easy to train when the trainer is kind and consistent, but they are also very sensitive to their trainer's mood and can react stubbornly when the training methods used are too severe, and some American Blue Gascon Hounds may never be able to resist particularly attractive smells or exciting prey. They are generally agreeable with most other dogs if socialized at an early age, but their strong prey drive can lead them to chase other pets, especially smaller ones, and lack of socialization can lead to a more aggressive animal.

Needs and activities of the American Blue Gascon Hound

The American Blue Gascon Hound is a very active animal that can develop behavioral problems and become destructive if not given an outlet for its energy. As this is a very large breed, it's particularly important not to overstretch the joints when the dog is still growing, avoiding too much jumping or running until the bones and joints have finished forming. Although this breed is primarily a hunting dog that prefers to stalk its prey first and foremost, they can also be quite adept at many other activities, including agility competitions, lure coursing, rally sports and even advanced obedience training. This dog is not generally suited to apartment living, due to its active nature and powerful howl.

Maintenance of the American Blue Gascon Hound

This breed should be bathed only when dirt or odors become noticeable, about two or three times a year, as too frequent bathing can strip away the veil of its naturally protective oils. Areas of loose, folded skin should be checked for moisture, as mold can sometimes form in these folds, causing irritation and infection. Although the coat is short, it is also dense and needs to be brushed two or three times a week to keep it shiny and under control. It's also important to check the ears regularly for dirt and moisture to avoid infection.