Grand Gascon Saintongeois Dog Breed Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

A little-known breed, the Grand Gascon Saintongeois is a large hunting dog that definitely deserves more attention. Originating from France, the Grand Gascon Saintongeois is an athletic, active, and agile dog that needs plenty of exercise. A hound with a great work ethic, the Grand Gascon Saintongeois always needs a job to do. Whether you want him to fetch the morning paper or retrieve his toys, this pooch loves to please.

Breed Overview

Before you add a Grand Gascon Saintongeois to your family, it’s important to know if this dog is right for you. Here’s a complete care guide to ensure you’ll keep your Grand Gascon Saintongeois happy and healthy.

Grand Gascon Saintongeois Characteristics

Grand Gascon Saintongeois Puppies

The Grand Gascon Saintongeois is an energetic dog that does best with active families. This breed needs plenty of room to run, romp, and roam. As such, he is not well-suited for apartment settings. Houses with big backyards work best for this dog. Grand Gascon Saintongeois dogs that are left cooped up inside all day can resort to destructive behavior, including unwanted chewing, excessive barking, and digging. Before you buy this breed, ensure you have enough time and energy to properly exercise this dog.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Grand Gascon Saintongeois

The Grand Gascon Saintongeois is an energetic and loving dog that gets along with older children and most pets. A hunting hound, this dog enjoys an active lifestyle and is not well-suited for sedentary people. This breed is not for beginners.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

The Grand Gascon Saintongeois is great for active families with older children. Though he can tolerate curious young tots, he is not an extremely patient dog. Always keep a vigilant eye on your pet when he is interacting with your kids.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶🐱

Yep! The Grand Gascon Saintongeois adores other dogs and can even get along with the family cat. Due to his heritage as a hunter, it’s critical to socialize and train this dog with smaller animals from the get-go. Never leave a Grand Gascon Saintongeois alone or unsupervised with smaller dog breeds or cats.

Things to Know When Owning a Grand Gascon Saintongeois:

Now that you know about this breed’s personality, let’s explore how to properly feed, groom, and train your dog.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

A larger dog with loads of energy, the Grand Gascon Saintongeois needs a high-quality, protein-packed diet that accommodates his age, size, and activity levels. Feed your Grand Gascon Saintongeois about three to four cups of kibble divided into two meals per day. Ensure he always has access to fresh, clean water.

Exercise 🐕

A simple stroll around the block is not enough exercise for a Grand Gascon Saintongeois. An active working breed, this dog needs at least one hour of vigorous exercise each day. Take yours jogging, hiking, or play fetch in the yard with him.

In addition to physical exercise, a Grand Gascon Saintongeois needs lots of mental engagement. Provide your pet with food puzzles, interactive toys, or weekly agility courses.

Training 🥎

The Grand Gascon Saintongeois is not a beginner dog. Eager to please and super smart, the Grand Gascon Saintongeois can effortlessly learn basic commands and challenging tricks. Reward-based training is the best teaching method for this breed. A bigger breed, the Grand Gascon Saintongeois can sometimes be tough to control if he’s not trained. Teach him to walk properly on a leash and introduce him to as many people and pups from an early age. This will ensure he stays confident and calm around new faces.

Grooming ✂️

The Grand Gascon Saintongeois has a short, dense coat. As such, he doesn’t need regular grooming. Brush him once a week to remove dead hair and dander. Avoid bathing your pet as this will strip his coat of its natural oils. Clip his nails as needed and brush his teeth daily. His floppy ears make the Grand Gascon Saintongeois prone to ear infections, so be diligent about cleaning his ears.

Health and Conditions 🏥

An overall healthy and hardy dog breed, the Grand Gascon Saintongeois is prone to some types of illnesses as he ages. It’s important to note that since the Grand Gascon Saintongeois is a rarer breed, there are not many statistics for illness. This means that there isn’t a sufficient number of studies to accurately draw conclusions about the overall health of this breed. Before buying a Grand Gascon Saintongeois puppy, always ask the breeder for genetic testing and medical records of both the puppy and its parents. A balanced diet, plenty of exercise, and routine wellness visits will keep your dog in excellent shape.

Male vs Female

The male Grand Gascon Saintongeois is larger than the female. Both genders have the same personality traits.

3 Little-Known Facts About Grand Gascon Saintongeois Dogs

1. Only Three Survived the French Revolution

Grand Gascon Saintongeois dogs are descended from the Old Saintongeois hound. After the French Revolution, only three Saintongeois dogs survived, including two males and one female. During the 19^th century, a count crossed the last of the breed with the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, resulting in the dogs we all know and love today.

2. They Can Hunt Almost Anything

The Grand Gascon Saintongeois is used to hunt wild boar, roe deer, rabbits, and even wolves. The dogs hunt in packs.

3. They’re Big!

The Grand Gascon Saintongeois is truly grand and can grow to weigh as much as 70 pounds!

Conclusion

If you’re an active individual who is looking for a dog that can go the distance, the Grand Gascon Saintongeois may be the perfect pooch for you. An energetic and large breed, the Grand Gascon Saintongeois does best in big houses with sprawling backyards. With the proper care and training, a Grand Gascon Saintongeois will supply you with lots of love and affection for years to come.

Featured Image Credit: Grand Gascon Saintongeois (Image Credit: Canarian, Wikimedia Commons CC 4.0)