The American Blue Gascon Hound was created as an offshoot from a French breed, Grand Bleu de Gascon. Both Gascons are great companions on hunting expeditions as they are able to track, chase and hunt all sorts of wild game. As they are hounds, they tend to be a little more vocal, so your neighbors might not be a big fan of them.
American Blue Gascon Hound History
While a little vague, the history of the American Blue Gascon Hound began in 1976 with the first recognition of the breed, which developed from its the Grand Bleu de Gascon. The Grand Bleu de Gascon made its way to other countries, and in 1785 arrived in the United States as seven were gifted to then president, George Washington.
Over the years the numbers of the Grand Bleu de Gascon diminished in France, however their numbers were growing elsewhere, and they ended up becoming a foundation breed for several other breeds that are recognized today. The Basset Bleu de Gascogne, Dumfriesshire, and the Bluetick Coonhound are all breeds that can be traced back to the original Grand Bleu de Gascon breed.
Due to their size, the American Blue Gascon Hound didn’t fit into any recognized category, and it wasn’t until 1976 when the American Blue Gascon Hound Association was formed, and they developed standards for the breed, that they were finally recognized by the Dog Registry of America and the Continental Kennel Club.
American Blue Gascon Hound Characteristics
The American Blue Gascon Hound is the largest of the scent hound group, and they can grow to 30 inches in height and weight up to 105 pounds. Like many scent hounds, they have open nostrils and a large head with a long muzzle. Typically, they have brown eyes and a black nose, and when they are older, their coats can turn brown, blue, and black. With a medium tail and long flappy ears, they are easy to spot as hounds.
American Blue Gascon Hound Temperament/Personality
The American Blue Gascon Hound should be trained at an early age, and the owner should be a strong leader that can correct the dog when needed. American Blue Gascon Hounds are highly intelligent animals and are relatively easy to train, when the training is delivered in a positive reinforcement way. If the training is too harsh, their stubborn side will come out and they are less likely to do what is expected of them.
This breed is good with older children and can be with younger children if trained and socialized early. The American Blue Gascon Hound has a high prey drive and should not be let off leash outside of a fenced-in area, as they can track a scent for hours. Nor should they be kept in a home with other animals, especially smaller ones, as they have a tendency to hunt them.
Caring for American Blue Gascon Hound
Caring for an American Blue Gascon Hound is relatively easy as they don’t require a lot of maintenance. Socialization and training are extremely important for this breed as they are stubborn, and they will try to hunt down everything.
American Blue Gascon Hound Nutrition
American Blue Gascon Hounds should be fed approximately 4 cups a day of high-quality kibble, split into two meals daily. As they have a high activity level, it is important that your American Blue Gascon Hound is getting the proper nutrition with a mix of high protein, healthy fats and carbs.
American Blue Gascon Hound Grooming
The American Blue Gascon Hound has low-maintenance grooming. They only need to be bathed when they are extremely dirty, or smell, which is about 2-3 times a year, to protect the natural oils of their skin.
American Blue Gascon Hounds have short, dense coats, and should be brush a couple times a week to ensure the elimination of dirt and debris, as well as dead hair, leaving them with a nice shiny, healthy coat.
American Blue Gascon Hound Activity Levels
The American Blue Gascon Hound is a very energetic and active breed who benefits from regular exercise and should have at least 60 minutes a day of physical activity. They should never be let off leash unless in a secure area.
If the breed is not regularly exercised, both physically and mentally, they can develop anxiety and become destructive. They do well at activities other than hunting, such as advanced obedience training, agility competitions, and rally sports.
American Blue Gascon Hound Maintenance
The American Blue Gascon Hound does require a little maintenance. As they have loose skin rolls and floppy ears, these areas are prone to moisture and infection, as well as mildew buildup. Regularly checking these areas can to ensure that they are dry and clear will help keep your dog healthy.
American Blue Gascon Hound Health
American Blue Gascon Hounds only have a few issues associated with them, the highest being canine hip dysplasia and heart defects. Some conditions of a lesser worry are ear infections, skin allergies, and hypothyroidism.
Breeds Similar to American Blue Gascon Hound
- Grand Bleu de Gascogne
- Basset Bleu de Gascogne
- Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound
- Italian Greagle
- Styrian Course Haired Hound
- Bluetick Coonhound
- Basset Hound
Best Dog Food for American Blue Gascon Hounds
Keeping your pet pal’s physique in mind, the best dog food for American Blue Gascon Hound is Purina ONE SmartBlend Large Breed Adult Formula Dog Food. This dog food has been prepared to have a wholesome meal plan which serves high protein levels to your American Blue Gascon Hound. Therefore, this meal plan is a great choice when planning to help your American Blue Gascon Hound maintain an ideal physique.
- Specially formulated for large and giant breeds.
- Features natural chicken as its first ingredient
- Has a recipe that is devoid of fillers
Best Puppy Food for American Blue Gascon Hounds
When you have a giant dog like the American Blue Gascon Hound, it is better to bring precise nutrition from a younger age, so the best puppy food for American Blue Gascon Hound is Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Food. This puppy food is specifically prepared for large breed dogs like your American Blue Gascon Hound, so its recipe is panned to precisely meet his requirements. It features a unique formula where natural lamb is used as a primary ingredient.
- Enriched with proteins
- The recipe lacks any fillers
- Enriched with omega fatty acids and other dietary nutrients which are apt for a proper growth
Best Dog Crate for American Blue Gascon Hounds
The best dog crate to manage a giant dog like your American Blue Gascon Hound is Frisco XX-Large Heavy Duty Dog Crate, as it has been engineered especially to provide a sturdy bode to your pet pal. This dog crate features top-notch secured latches that are coupled with well-welded wires, so the crate is pretty tough. It is designed with removable divider panels, so you can manage the space with the life stages of your American Blue Gascon Hound.
- The wires are made of a coated steel that is designed to last long.
- The base is removable for convenience.
- Can be cleaned conveniently
Best Dog Bed for American Blue Gascon Hounds
The most comforting dog bed for your pet pal is the one which is designed to provide relief and comfort in the best manner, so the best dog bed for American Blue Gascon Hound is the Big Barker 7″ Headrest Orthopedic Pillow Dog Bed. It is designed using the best quality orthopedic foams that are available in the United States. This bed’s uniqueness is such that it has certain layers of orthopedic foams that are of different densities, which, when combined, gives an immense resting experience.
- Help treat the arthritic pain.
- The surface is covered with a high-quality microfiber cloth.
- Machine-washable
Best Dog Harness for American Blue Gascon Hounds
The best dog harness to monitor a giant dog like your American Blue Gascon Hound is HDP Big Dog No Pull Dog Harness, as it has been designed while considering your pet pal’s comfort. This harness is designed efficiently to prevent any choking hazards, as the pads are designed too wide. Due to its dog-friendly design, this dog collar can be a preferable choice for training sessions as well.
- Helps in distributing strain all over your American Blue Gascon Hound’s body
- Designed entirely using pure polyester
- Features a built-in handle at the top, whose purpose is to allow you to lift your pet pal when needed
Best Dog Collars for American Blue Gascon Hounds
The best dog collar for American Blue Gascon Hound is Soft Touch Collars Leather Dog Color. This dog collar’s design is such that it provides a unique look to your American Blue Gascon Hound. The presence of a pad underneath the collar makes it a comfortable choice for your American Blue Gascon Hound.
- Features an attractive two-tone color
- The edges are sealed to increase the life of this collar.
- Features an adjustable design for a more comfortable fitting
Best Dog Muzzle for American Blue Gascon Hounds
We know that it is challenging for you to manage your American Blue Gascon Hound’s negative behavior without a muzzle, so the best dog muzzle for American Blue Gascon Hound is Coastal Pet Products Best Fit Adjustable Comfort Dog Muzzle. This dog muzzle’s primary purpose is to manage your American Blue Gascon Hound’s behavior in the most comfortable way. For this purpose, it has used mesh and nylon to build an airy snout piece, which can be adjusted with the help of a hook and loop strap at the chin.
- Features a flexible nose pad for greater ease
- Available in various sizes
- The fitting is completely adjustable.
Best Dog Toys for American Blue Gascon Hounds
If you consider the activity levels and energy requirements of an American Blue Gascon Hound, the best dog toy to satisfy their souls would be KONG Extreme Dog Toy. This dog toy is a unique treat-dispensing toy that is safe to chew as well. It has been designed using the top-notch natural rubber that is available in the market.
- Helps convert mealtime into fun-time
- Helps strengthen your bond with your American Blue Gascon Hound
- Features an erratic bounce that your pet buddy enjoys
Best Dog Brush for American Blue Gascon Hounds
The best dog brush to optimize your American Blue Gascon Hound’s looks is JW Pet Gripsoft Slicker Brush, as it has been designed to perform its task as efficiently as possible. This dog brush comes with a Gripsoft design that is basically used for crafting a rubber sheathed handle to ensure a firm grip. This brush’s pins are soft and flexible, so they will not cause any injuries during the grooming sessions.
- Features ergonomically designed handle.
- Pins are arranged at a 90o angle so that they do not scratch your American Blue Gascon Hound’s skin while you brush them.
- Features a non-slipping grip
Best Dog Shampoo for American Blue Gascon Hounds
The best dog shampoo for American Blue Gascon Hound is PetAg Fresh ‘N Clean Scented Dog Shampoo since your pet buddy requires occasional baths. This shampoo is designed to have a mild formula that will possibly not affect the composition of your American Blue Gascon Hound’s natural coat oils. The makers have added botanical cleansers and emollients in this shampoo to make a better and suitable choice for your dog.
- Features a well-balanced pH
- Treats odor issues and bestow your American Blue Gascon Hound a sweet floral scent
- The formulation lacks soap to avoid dryness.
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