Scent hound Small size 16-20 kg

Blue Gascony Basset

A calm, short-legged French scent hound - good-natured with family, but the nose and voice mean secure fencing and daily sniffing walks.

Compare
Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Small
Size
16-20 kg, 30-38 cm tall
High
Activity
Enjoys long walks and tracking games
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Sociable but manages with routine
Moderate
Trainability
Independent; recall off scent is hard
Very low
Coat care
Short coat; minimal upkeep
Good
Fit with kids
Gentle and patient with children
Moderate
Other pets
Prey drive; supervise with small pets
Light
Health burden
Generally hardy; ear care needed

The Blue Gascony Basset typically weighs 16-20 kg, stands 30-38 cm, and lives 12-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a gentle, mellow-at-home hound in a manageable size,
long unhurried sniffing walks sound like a feature, not a chore,
you have a secure yard and no illusions about hound recall,
you appreciate the melodious hound voice rather than dread it.

Do not consider this breed if…

shared walls and noise-sensitive neighbors - it sings when it scents,
you want a jogger's dog; short legs mean stamina, not speed,
small pets run loose in your home,
you expect obedient precision - this is an amiable freelancer.

A typical day with a Blue Gascony Basset

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    Slow, thorough sniffing walk on leash
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Naps in a sunbeam, deeply relaxed
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Garden inspection, announces passersby
  4. 16:30 · Afternoon
    Scent trail game or food-search puzzle
  5. 19:00 · Evening
    Second walk, then flops beside the family
  6. 22:00 · Night
    Settled and quiet after a scented day

Temperament and training

Scent drive Very high
Gentleness High
Independence High
Vocality High
Playfulness Moderate
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Letting it off leash because it seems calm - the nose is not calm · Ignoring the long ears until infections set in · Free-feeding a low-slung, food-loving hound into obesity

Family and environment

Kids Good
Gentle and patient; sturdy enough for family life.
Dogs Good
Pack hound; genuinely enjoys other dogs.
Cats Conditional
Raised-together households usually work; outdoors it chases.
Apartment Conditional
Calm indoors, but baying tests neighbor goodwill.
House with a yard Suitable
Check the fence; low dogs are skilled under-diggers.
City Manages
Fine on leash routines; noise is the sticking point.
Countryside Ideal
Bred for unhurried trailing over rough ground.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Chronic Ear Infections Long ears trap moisture; check regularly
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock
Dental Disease Routine dental care needed

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

The familiar heavyweight version, easier to find
Basset Hound
A gentle, low-slung scenthound that is wonderful with kids but stubborn on the trail and prone to ear, back, and weight issues.
View profile →
Another lighter-built French working basset
Artesien Normand Basset
A short-legged French basset with a merry pack temperament, a good-natured companion led firmly by its nose and its stomach.
View profile →
Same blue Gascony family on full-length legs
Petit Blue Gascony Hound
A melodious French pack hound with a keen nose; friendly but independent and vocal, best for active homes.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Blue Gascony Basset cost?
The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is rare in the US - breeders are scarce and most puppies come via import from France, so realistic all-in costs run $2,000-$3,500 with waitlists common. Ongoing costs are modest for the size - roughly $12,000-$16,000 over a 12-14 year life for food and routine care - but plan extra for ear care and weight management.
Is a Blue Gascony Basset calmer than a Basset Hound?
Indoors they are similarly mellow, but the Blue Gascony is lighter-built, more athletic and needs noticeably more real exercise. Think of it as a Basset Hound that kept more of its working engine - calmer than a beagle at home, but not a couch ornament.
Do Blue Gascony Bassets bark a lot?
They bay rather than bark, and yes, they use that deep melodious voice whenever a scent, visitor or squirrel justifies it - which by hound logic is often. Rural and detached-house owners usually find it charming; apartment neighbors usually do not.
Can it be walked off leash?
Assume no. This breed was selected for centuries to follow a trail independently for hours, and once the nose engages, your voice drops far down the priority list. Use a long line for freedom and save true off-leash time for securely fenced areas.