The Basset Bleu de Gascogne was originally bred to hunt and still does today, because of this it is not hard to believe they require appropriate exercise both physical and mental.
They are very easy to care for and respond well to training with the right approach and consistency. 

They are not generally a good option for a first-time dog for those with no experience unless you have the dedication and time to invest in training and meeting their physical and intellectual needs.

They are a hound and behave as such, with a loud deep bay and bark which your neighbours will definitely come to recognise. 


The breed is very adaptable and can live in various environments from the country to the suburbs or even in major cities. 
Many Bleus and their owners here in the UK live and thrive in the middle of London and other major cities. 


The Bleu can live as an only dog or within a multi-dog household. They enjoy the company of other Bleus but are generally very good with other dogs.


They require appropriate but varied exercise. What we at Caelestibleu love so much about this breed is how they can sleep all day one day and hike a mountain in the Lake District the next.

Too much exercise with sharp turns can be damaging to the growing body of a young bleu; excessive periods of running and jumping should not be encouraged until adulthood. 


The Bleus are easy to feed and suited to most quality diets. They are very food motivated which helps with training and enrichment opportunities.


Their coat is short and easy to maintain, a weekly brush to remove loose hair is more than enough. They shed, some more than others and do not require regular bathing.


Their teeth stay healthy with a good diet and natural chews. Supplements to keep plaque away and teeth cleaning can be beneficial but is not always a necessity.


Some Basset Bleus suffer from debris and wax build-up in the ears, but this often clears up with diet changes and supplements. Regular ear cleaning is required for those who do suffer from ear problems. 


Their nails grow fast and are very strong. We at Caelestibleu trim/file our dog's nails weekly to ensure the nails and the nail blood supply stays short. Breed-appropriate length nails are a solid foundation for healthy feet in any breed of dog and help prevent flat feet, weak pasterns and toe problems.


Females normally have their first season from 6/7 months, silent seasons are not uncommon and some Bleu owners report problems with phantom pregnancies. Because of this we highly recommend raspberry leaf tea supplement throughout the season and for the two weeks following; along with increasing exercise for the two weeks after the season.


As with any dog, they need correct and appropriate socialisation and training from an early age. 
Due to the regulations on importing dogs some Bleus imported can miss essential socialisation periods so it is important to introduce new things slowly.
They are good with people and children, they are especially affectionate to the humans within the immediate household.


The Basset Bleu de Gascogne responds well to training, being enthusiastic and happy to learn/problem solve.
They do not respond well to harsh training methods.
They can easily learn basic obedience and loose lead walking with consistency. 


Recall can be more difficult to train, remember these are Scent Hounds it is natural for them to follow their nose. However, with consistency and the right training a reliable recall can be achieved.

They can be left alone at home with free range of the household or crate trained, although should not be left for excessively long periods.
They travel well in the car or on public transport. As with all dogs motion sickness can occur but it's not common.


They benefit from daily enrichment exercises which can include seeking out hidden food, scatter feeding, lickit mats or treat puzzles.


At Caelestibleu we enjoy teaching our dogs fun tricks and canine conditioning positions/stretches.
Fun training can be a pressure-free way to exercise your dog's mind. This can be especially helpful for young dogs before bedtime or before a long journey. 


The Bleu is good when being handled for grooming, vet visits or showing. Some, like with any breed, can have sensitivities when having their feet handled but this can be worked on.


Should you have an interest in showing your Basset Blue de Gascogne we highly recommend you join a local ring craft. 
Many owners have great success introducing older dogs to showing so there really are no age restrictions on the dog or handler. 


Outside of the show ring the Basset Bleu de Gascogne excel at activities such as Scent Detection and Mantrailling. They also do well training in activities such as Rally-O, freestyle HTM, Canine Hoopers and Agility. 


For Bleu owners who want to do some formal training but without competing the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme awards are a good option. As well as online training achievements such as Do More With Your Dog.


Overall the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a breed that would fit most experienced dog owners and families.

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We would not be without every one of our Bleus and we hope you come to love the breed as much as we do.