What makes the Petit Gascon Saintongeois Unique?
The Petit Gascon Saintongeois is a very well constructed dog, giving both the impression of strength and elegance, typically French regarding the head, the dress and expression. This dog has a friendly and good-natured temperament. Not a very popular breed, but in France he himself is still a popular hunting dog. It is truly an extraordinary spectacle to see a pack of these large hounds in full trot.
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Is the Petit Gascon Saintongeois Right For You?
Apart from being a tenacious and able hunter, the Petit Gascon Saintongeois also has an even and friendly temperament as family pet which makes this breed one of the best family companion among other hunting breeds. It is friendly and loving with all family members and extremely patient and gentle with children. This is an intelligent, amiable and very tractable breed that is easy to train.
In 5 Words
- Friendly
- Patient
- Gentle
- Amiable
- Intelligent
Characteristics
Learn About the Petit Gascon Saintongeois
Description
General Description
A typical French hound, the Gascon Saintongeois has a lean body with unique muscles and longer legs. The ears are dropping and lips are pendent. The chestnut eyes of the breed are dark in color. The Gascon Saintongeois is adorned with elongated head and a black nose that is well developed. It is holding a robust back and deep chest. The elegant tail is slightly curved and carried in saber trend.
Size
The Height of the Petite Gascon Saintongeois is 22 to 24.4 inches and weight is 53 to 55 pounds. The life expectancy of the Petit Gascon Saintongeois is 10 to 14 years.
Coat
The coat is short, close fitting and weather-resistant. The ground colour is white with black patches and sometimes speckled but not excessively. Two black patches are generally placed at either side of the head, covering the ears, surrounding the eyes and stopping at the cheeks. The cheeks are tan, preferably pale.
Short History of the Petit Gascon Saintongeois
Before the French Revolution, the dogs Saintongeois famous for their ability to hunt wolves. The race, however, thinned in the course of time, but was reconstructed by Baron Virelade in the forties of the nineteenth century. This was done using the rugged Grand Gasconies. His prey was from the beginning mainly deer, but now he also hunts deer, fox and wild boar. The petit-variant specializes in rabbit and hare. Unfortunately, the breed is relatively rare in France, and it comes out not quite.
Temperament
An excellent pack dog with a fine nose, wide casting, and endowed with a sonorous voice. Calm, affectionate and agreeable. The Petite Gascon Saintongeois is devoted and affectionate to the family. Amiable and cordial with family member, it also is embracing an intelligent mind. The keen and intelligent mentality of this breed let it to learn things with an ease, a trainable breed. It responds well to positive training. Its calm, amiable and cordial attitude makes it a blue-eyed doggie of its family and owner. It is nice in manners and would like to please it s owner very eagerly. Thus it forms a nice companion dog of the whole family. It gets along with children and family members. It holds significant doggie etiquette and mannerism. On the other hand, being glorious hunter, it used for hunting in packs.
These hounds are well acquainted to live in packs so not pose any challenge when abide with other dogs. Simply, it gets along with other dogs. Being a pack hunting dog can co-exist with other dogs; but care should be taken when smaller pets are around him, because it holds a strong prey drive; therefore, it can hunt the smaller animals. Generally good with those he knows but can show aggression towards unfamiliar persons. You should socialize your dogs well enough in early ages and provide them good training.
Caring for Your Petit Gascon Saintongeois
Grooming & Bathing
This dog needs very little when it comes to coat grooming as a weekly brushing will take care of its coat. After a hunting trip, it is necessary to clean eyes and ears of this dog to avoid risk of infection.
Exercise & Training
As a high energy dog, the Petit Gascon Saintongeois needs lots of physical activities. It is not a dog for apartment or small space living. It will need a large yard to play and run.
These are intelligent and mindful dogs, therefore they are trainable and quick in learning the given commands. Moreover, they are not challenging when getting the training. These dogs respond nicely to positive methods of training. Being a good family companion, the Petit Gascon Saintongeois attempts enthusiastically to please their owners and always likes to learn given commands in a short time. Though, it is a trainable breed, but sometimes may tend to be stubborn, so it needs a firm, dedicated and a gentle trainer in addition to consistent training.