Basset Hound or Basset Bleu de Gascogne, which is best for you

Basset Hounds have been a firm favourite family pet in the UK for many years, but there are similar looking breeds that hail from other countries which includes France. One such breed is the charming Basset Bleu de Gascogne and like the Basset Hound they were originally bred to hunt alongside man. This article compares both breeds and illustrates the differences betweenBasset Hounds and Basset Bleu de Gascognes.

Basset Hound origins

Basset Hounds are in fact, a breed that is thought to bave been bred and developed by French monks as far back as Middle Ages. They are indeed closely related to French Bassets having the same ancestry. However, over the ages the Basset Hound has become a very unique breed in its own right and throughout the ages they have always been highly prized for their scenting abilities. It is thought the original dogs arrived in Britain during the reign of King James IV of Scotland when he introduced the breed into the land.

Basset Bleu de Gascogne origins

Records exist of the Basset Bleu de Gascogne dating back to the 14th century. They are the direct descendants of another French breed called the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. However, how the breed was first developed remains unknown although there are several theories which includes the fact the breed may have been created through crossbreeding. Other people think the breed came about through natural development before being further developed at a later date to create a breed of hound that boasted a lot of stamina and a dog that was capable of keeping up with the rest of a hunting field albeit at a slower pace.

Basset Hound Temperament

Tenacious, placid, loving, affectionate and loyal, Basset Hounds are a pleasure to share a home with. Rarely would a Basset show any sort of aggressive behaviour towards anyone. With this said, they are known to be a little wilful and stubborn when the mood takes them which is a very typical hound trait. As such, they are not the best choice for people who have never owned a dog before, but in the right hands and environment, a Basset makes for a wonderful companion and family pet.

They thrive being around people and because they are so social by nature, Bassets they enjoy being around other dogs. With this said, they have a very pack-like"" mentally and if not given the right sort of direction and guidance, a dog would quickly start to show a more dominant side to their natures. Basset Hounds like to be kept busy and are not lazy dogs as many people think. They are also intelligent although they like to do things at their own pace which is never very fast. They also like to bark and have a very melodious voice which is a trait that needs to be gently curbed before it becomes a problem.

Basset Bleu de Gascogne Temperament

Placid, laid-back, gentle, intelligent, loyal and affectionate, a Basset Bleu de Gascogne shares many of the traits seen in Basset Hounds. With this said, they are the perfect choice for anyone who leads a more sedentary and quiet life with a easy-going canine companion to keep them company. The downside to this is that a Basset Bleu would be quite happy to turn into a couch potato if allowed which in short means it is important for them to be given the right amount of daily exercise for them to stay fit and healthy.

Like their Basset Hound counterparts, the Basset Bleu is known to have a bit of a stubborn streak which means they are not the best choice for novice owners who may find training one of these charming dogs a little too challenging. With this said, in the right hands and environment, the Basset Bleu makes for a wonderful companion and family pet thanks to their quiet and gentle natures.

Basset Hound Shedding

Basset Hounds like other breeds shed steadily throughout the year only more so in the spring and autumn. They are rated as being moderate shedders.

Basset Bleu de Gascogne Shedding

The Basset Bleu sheds slightly less hair than their Basset Hound counterparts, but they also shed throughout the year only more so during the spring and then again in the autumn. They are rated as being low to moderate shedders.

Basset Hound Training

Basset Hounds as previously mentioned have a bit of a stubborn streak in them which can make their training a little more challenging. They are intelligent, but do things at their own pace and because they are such independent thinkers teaching a Basset Hound the ""recall"" command from a young age is essential although never a guarantee that a Basset would respond. Training a Basset Hound takes time and patience which is why they are better suited to people who are familiar with their needs.

Basset Bleu de Gascogne Training

Intelligent yet independent by nature, a Basset Bleu's training has to begin early and it has to be consistent throughout their lives. Because their scenting instinct is so deeply embedded in a dog's psyche, a Basset Bleu would happily follow their nose when the mood takes them. Again, they need to be taught the ""recall"" command early in their lives, but if a dog picks up an interesting scent, the chances are they might just ignore an owner to go off and investigate.

Because they are sensitive dogs by nature, the Basset Bleu like other hounds does not respond well to any sort of harsh correction which in short means care should be taken when training them. Like their Basset Hound cousins, the Basset Bleu takes life at their own pace which is generally quite slowly and this needs to be factored into their training.

Basset Hound Exercise

Basset Hounds are active dogs although not energetic as such. They need a good 40 to 60 minutes exercise a day to be truly happy and healthy dogs. They also need lots of mental stimulation and they like to roam off their leads, but this should only be done in places where it is safe for them to do so.

Basset Bleu de Gascogne Exercise

The Basset Bleu is a laid-back character and would happily become a couch potato if allowed so it's important for these hounds to be given a good 40 to 60 minutes exercise a day for them to remain fit and healthy. Like their Basset Hound cousins, they need lots of mental stimulation to prevent boredom from setting in which could lead to a dog developing some unwanted behavioural issues.

Basset Hound Children and Pets

Basset Hounds are known to have a real affinity with children and as such they thrive in a family environment. Providing a dog has been well socialised from a young enough age, Bassets get on well with other dogs, but care should be taken when they are around smaller animals and pets. With this said, if a Basset Hound grows up with a family cat, they generally get on well together.

Basset Bleu de Gascogne Children and Pets

The Basset Bleu has always been highly prized as a family pet in their native France because they too seem to have a real affinity with children of all ages. They love being involved in everything that goes on in their families and providing they have been well socialised, the Basset Bleu gets on well with other dogs. However, care needs to be taken when they are around smaller animals and pets although if a Basset Bleu has grown up with a family cat, they are generally good friends.

Basset Hound Coat

The Basset Houndhas a short, smooth, close-lying coat with no feathering at all.

Basset Hound Coat colours

The acceptable coat colours include the following:

• Tri-colour - black, white and tan
• Bi-colour - lemon and white
• Any acceptable recognised hound colour is allowed

Basset Bleu de Gascogne Coat

The Basset Bleu de Gascogne has a short and dense coat that's not too fine.

Basset Bleu de Gascogne Coat colours

The accepted breed colours are as follows:

• Black on a white base coat, covered entirely with black mottling and ticking which creates a blue appearance

Basset Hound health

• Basset Hounds suffer from a few hereditary and acquired health issues which includes the following:
• Entropion
• Ectropion
• Invertebral disc
• Elbow Dysplasia - Test available
• Malassezia
• Bloat
• Osteochondrodysplasia - a type of Dwarfism

Basset Bleu de Gascogne health

Basset Bleu suffer from few hereditary health issues with the two conditions that seem to affect the breed the most being as follows:

• Ear problems
• Bloat

Basset Hound life expectancy

The average life span of a Basset Hound is between 11 to 12 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

Basset Bleu de Gascogne life expectancy

The average life span of a Basset Bleu de Gascogne is between 12 and 14 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

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