Basset Bleu de Gascogne

Scenthound Group

The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges.

Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.

Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

History

The Basset Bleu de Gascogne's historical rootstock is from the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, a Scenthound of ancient lineage.

The existence of the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is supreme evidence of the antiquity of the parent breed and is, therefore, itself a very ancient and important breed when speaking of Basset varieties in general and Bleu de Gascogne hounds specifically. The Basset Bleu de Gascogne evolved directly from the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, shows certain signs of distinction, and reflects an aristocratic air shared with the parent breed.

The Basset Bleu de Gascogne was recognized by the United Kennel Club in January 1991.

General Appearance

The first and immediate impression of a Basset Bleu de Gascogne should be that of a hound with substance and staying power. Rather large, but not too heavy. A Basset (low-slung) hound of superior type, denoting great ancestry, reflecting in both form and action, the extreme physical and hunting characteristics of its ancient stem. Every point of the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is for a purpose relevant to preserving the breed and its uniqueness. Judges are asked to keep this fact in mind when evaluating the merits of an individual hound.

Characteristics

Active, agile and lively with a fine nose and strong hunting ability, excellent in a pack or on his own. Affectionate and happy.

Head

SKULL

Slightly domed and not too wide. The occiput is well pronounced. The stop is hardly accentuated. The cheeks are lean and may show one or two folds of skin.

Faults: Broad, flat skull.

MUZZLE

As long as the skull and slightly aquiline. The lips are ample without exaggeration, giving the front part of the muzzle a square profile.

Fault: Pointed muzzle.

TEETH

Strong teeth, fitting evenly with a scissors bite.

Disqualifications: Undershot or overshot bite.

NOSE

Black and well developed.

Fault: Spotted nose.

EYES

Oval in shape, deep set and brown in color. The expression is gentle and slightly sad.

Fault: Light eyes. Round eyes.

EARS

Set on low and leaving the skull well. Long, fine and curling, coming at least to the end of the muzzle, and ending in a point.

Faults: Ears that are set high, broad, thick or round.

Neck

Rather long and arched, with dewlap showing, but without excess.

Fault: Short neck.

Forequarters

The shoulders are oblique and well muscled without heaviness.

FORELEGS

Strong, straight or with a slight crook. The elbows are very close to the body.

Faults: Straight shoulders. Out at the elbows. Crooked pasterns. Knuckling over.
Disqualification: Front legs with more than a semi-crook.

Body

The body is longer than it is tall in a ratio of 8:5. The depth of the chest is two-thirds the height at the withers. The chest is roomy and long, extending below the elbows. The sternum is prominent and the ribs are well sprung. The back is long and well supported. The loin is short and sometimes arched, and the croup is slightly sloping. The body is deep at the flank.

Faults: Soft topline. Flat ribs. Lack of substance.

Hindquarters

Seen from behind, a vertical line will pass from the point of the buttocks through the middle of the leg, the hock joint, the rear pastern and the foot.

HIND LEGS

The thighs are long and muscular. The hock joint is large and slightly bent. The rear pasterns are short.

Faults: Cow hocks or barrel hocks.

Feet

A slightly elongated oval, with lean, tight toes and black pads and nails.

Fault: Splayed feet.

Tail

Well attached, strong at the set on, and carried in saber fashion.

Skin

Black or white, but never completely white, but strongly speckled with black dots. The palate, lips, genitals and the soles of the feet are black.

Coat

Short, dense and semi-thick.

Fault: Fine, smooth coat.
Disqualification: Any coat other than described.

Color

Entirely black and white mottled, giving a slate blue effect, with or without black patches. Generally there are black patches on either side of the head that cover the ears, surround the eyes and stop at the cheeks. There is a white blaze in the middle of the skull which usually has a breed typical oval shaped black spot in its center. There are tan markings above the eyes, on the cheeks, lips, inside of the ears, on the legs and under the tail.

Fault: Pale tan.
Disqualification: Any color other than described.

Size

13 to 15 inches at the withers.

Gait

Balanced and easy.

Scars

Because the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is first and foremost a hunting hound, scars, the result of honorable wounds, shall not be considered faults, nor shall they be penalized by Judges. This includes cuts, nicks, notches on the ears, and/or ears that are frayed at the edges from working in brush, tall grass, etc.

Disqualifications

(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)
Bilateral or unilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Albinism.
Any color other than described.
Undershot or overshot bite.
Front legs with more than a semi-crook.
Lack of type.
Serious anatomical malformations that cause a disabling effect.
Any coat other than described.