Scent hound Medium size 16-22 kg

Petit Gascony Saintongeois Hound

A rare French scent hound bred for small game; friendly and tireless but nose-driven and vocal.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
16-22 kg, 50-56 cm at the shoulder
High
Activity
High; built for the hunt
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Handles moderate alone time
Challenging
Trainability
Independent, follows its nose
Low
Coat care
Short coat needs little upkeep
Good
Fit with kids
Good-natured with children
Moderate
Other pets
Sociable with dogs; prey drive to small pets
Light
Health burden
Dental disease; hip dysplasia; ear infections

The Petit Gascony Saintongeois Hound typically weighs 16-22 kg, stands 50-56 cm, and lives 12-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you can offer long daily walks and scent work,
you want a friendly, tireless, rare French pack hound,
you have secure fencing and always leash near roads,
you can live with a loud hound voice.

Do not consider this breed if…

you want an apartment-friendly, quiet dog,
you need dependable off-leash recall,
you have small pets at risk from prey drive,
you cannot commit to heavy daily exercise.

A typical day with a Petit Gascony Saintongeois Hound

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long scent walk, 45-60 min
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rest after breakfast
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Tracking games or a walk
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Yard time or nosework
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Second walk
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Sleeps soundly

Temperament and training

Friendliness High
Independence High
Scent drive Very high
Trainability Low
Vocality Very high
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Relying on recall when the nose takes over · Underestimating the volume of the bay · Giving a working hound too little exercise

Family and environment

Kids Good
Good-natured with children.
Dogs Good
Pack hound, enjoys other dogs.
Cats Conditional
Prey drive; supervise small pets.
Apartment Unsuitable
Too active and vocal for flats.
House with a yard Suitable
Needs a securely fenced yard.
City Manages
Only with lots of exercise; the baying carries.
Countryside Ideal
Space and scent work suit it.
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
Dental disease Routine brushing and cleanings help
Hip dysplasia Screen breeding stock and manage weight and activity
Bloat (GDV) A surgical emergency; a preventive gastropexy is an option
Chronic ear infections Keep the long ears clean and dry

Similar breeds - by reason

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

Larger version of the same breed
Grand Gascony Saintongeois Hound
A large pack scenthound built for the hunt - devoted and even-tempered, but needs far more exercise than most homes offer.
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Related Gascony pack hound
Petit Blue Gascony Hound
A melodious French pack hound with a keen nose; friendly but independent and vocal, best for active homes.
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Common small scent hound alternative
Beagle
A merry, kid-proof scent hound that follows its nose over your commands - and tells the whole street when left alone.
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Frequently asked questions

How much does a Petit Gascony Saintongeois Hound cost in the US?
This is a very rare French scent hound essentially unavailable in the US, so getting one means importing, typically $1,500-$3,000 plus travel and paperwork. Over a 12-14 year life, routine care for a medium dog typically adds $12,000-$20,000 or more.
Are these hounds good family dogs?
For an active outdoorsy family, yes - they are friendly and sociable. But their exercise needs, loud bay and scent-driven independence make them a poor match for quiet or apartment homes.
Do Petit Gascony Saintongeois Hounds bark a lot?
They bay rather than bark, with a loud, carrying hound voice used on a trail and when bored or lonely. Expect noise, and do not choose the breed for a noise-sensitive setting.
Are Petit Gascony Saintongeois Hounds rare?
Yes, extremely - they are scarce even in France. Finding one almost always means an import and a waitlist, and breed-specific health information is limited.