Scenthound Large size 25-35 kg
Gascony Saintongeois Hound
A large, elegant French scenthound bred for tracking, suited to a working rural home with room to run.
Match with your household
See match detail → Quick overview
Large
Size
25-35 kg, 60-72 cm
High
Activity
High; needs real daily exercise and a job
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Copes with a moderate stretch alone
Challenging
Trainability
Can be stubborn; consistent training needed
Low
Coat care
Low upkeep; occasional brushing
Very good
Fit with kids
Good family dog with children
Very good
Other pets
Generally good with other dogs and pets
Light
Health burden
Dental Disease, Hip Dysplasia
The Gascony Saintongeois Hound typically weighs 25-35 kg, stands 60-72 cm, and lives 10-13 years.
Consider this breed if…
you hunt or live rurally and want a driven tracking hound,
you have secure, fenced space and open ground to run,
you can commit to long daily exercise and scent work,
you want a calm, gentle hound that lives well in a pack.
Do not consider this breed if…
you live in an apartment or a home with close neighbors,
you need dependable off-leash recall around game,
you cannot fence securely or supervise a nose-led dog,
you want a low-exercise companion for a quiet home.
A typical day with a Gascony Saintongeois Hound
- 6:30 · MorningLong walk or run with trailing on a scent
- 9:00 · MidmorningRest; a worked hound is quiet indoors
- 12:30 · NoonShort leashed walk or yard time
- 16:00 · AfternoonTracking practice or scent games
- 18:30 · EveningSecond long walk or free run in a secure area
- 21:00 · NightSettles calmly after a full day of exercise
Family and environment
Kids Good
Gentle and easygoing; supervise around a large, energetic dog.
Dogs Good
Pack-bred and sociable, usually fine in multi-dog homes.
Cats Conditional
Prey drive is high; safest only with cats it grows up with.
Apartment Not suited
Too large and active, and its voice carries in close quarters.
House with a yard Suitable
Needs a tall, secure fence and daily real exercise.
City Poor
Exercise needs and baying clash with dense city living.
Countryside Ideal
Space, trails, and a clear job suit this working hound best.
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 profileTop health concerns
Dental Disease Very common; routine brushing and cleanings help
Hip Dysplasia Joint malformation; screen breeding stock
Bloat (GDV) Life-threatening emergency in deep-chested dogs
Chronic Ear Infections Drop ears trap moisture; keep them clean and dry
Similar breeds - by reason
Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.
Related large blue-mottled Gascon hound
Grand Blue Gascony Hound
A tall, deep-voiced French scenthound with real stamina and a strong nose - best for owners who can give it serious daily work.
View profile →
Smaller version of the same breed
Petit Gascony Saintongeois Hound
A rare French scent hound bred for small game; friendly and tireless but nose-driven and vocal.
View profile →
Another rare French pack scenthound
French White And Orange Hound
A rare French pack scenthound with a strong nose and voice, best for a rural, active hunting household.
View profile →Frequently asked questions
How much does a Gascony Saintongeois Hound cost?
This is a rare French hunting breed found almost entirely in France, so there is no established US price. Realistically you are looking at a waitlist, importing a puppy, and travel costs that can total several thousand dollars. Remember the lifetime cost matters far more: feeding and caring for a large hound runs into many thousands of dollars over its life, and that steady spend outweighs the one-time purchase.
Is it a good family dog?
It is gentle and sociable with people and other dogs, which makes it pleasant at home, but it is fundamentally a working scenthound. It needs a great deal of daily exercise and a nose-led job to stay content, so it fits an active rural family rather than a quiet, low-activity one.
Can it be kept off-leash?
Only in secure, enclosed areas. Once it locks onto a scent it will follow the trail and tune you out, so off-leash recall in open country is unreliable. Secure fencing and long-line work are safer than trusting recall.
Does it suit apartment living?
No. Its size, stamina, and carrying hound voice make apartment life unsuitable. It needs a securely fenced yard and open space to run and track.