The Gascon Saintongeois temperament can be described as calm, affectionate and agreeable.
These gorgeous hounds have an aristocratic bearing. They come in two size varieties—the Grand Gascon Saintongeois and the Petite Gascon Saintongeois.
Both varieties have an excellent temperament both on and off the field.
This article will provide you with an overview of the Gascon Saintongeois temperament.
If you think this may be the perfect dog for you, spend more time getting to know this unique breed.
Owners and breeders can give you the best possible insight into the Gascon Saintongeouis personality.
Before you commit to the lifelong care of one of these dogs, make sure you are equipped to handle typical Gascon Saintongeouis behaviors.
Like most working dogs, these dogs require a serious investment of time and energy.
Gascon Saintongeois Temperament: The 5 Most Common Traits
Below you will find some of the typical components of the Gascon Saintongeois temperament.
However, please bear in mind that dogs are individuals, so not every Gascon Saintongeois will have the exact same temperament traits.
1. Versatile Hunter in the Field
The driven Gascon Saintongeois temperament makes this dog an outstanding hunter.
The Petite Gascon Saintongeois is used to hunt hare and other small game. Meanwhile, the Grand Gascon Saintongeois can be used for larger game including deer or boar.
They are hard working dogs that can stay in the field for hours on end. If you do not plan to hunt with your Gascon Saintongeois, you will need to provide another outlet for its energy.
Gascon Saintongeois hunt by scent, so they have extremely powerful noses.
You will need to keep this in mind when you are walking your Gascon Saintongeois.
If he catches a whiff of an interesting scent, he is hard-wired to pursue that scent. It is always wise to keep your hound on a leash unless you are in a very safe area.
A Gascon Saintongeios that is on a scent could get into trouble by wandering across a busy road or straying too far from home.
To be on the safe side, make sure your Gascon Saintongeois is microchipped and wearing a collar with an identification tag just in case.
2. Calm in the House
As long as your Gascon Saintongeois is receiving enough daily exercise, these dogs tend to be quite mellow around the house.
If your Gascon Saintongeois is displaying nuisance behaviors such as hyperactivity, digging, chewing or barking, this probably means that your dog is not receiving adequate exercise.
Gascon Saintongeois exercise needs to be something aerobic such as jogging, hiking or running with other dogs.
A simple walk around the block is not enough exercise for such a robust working dog. Be prepared to devote at least one hour a day to exercise your dog.
In addition to physical exercise, your Gascon Saintongeois also needs mental enrichment to keep his mind engaged.
Mental enrichment can take the form of training, food puzzles, or interactive toys.
As long as he is receiving plenty of mental and physical activity, the Gascon Saintongeois temperament is laid-back during downtime.
3. Affectionate
The loving Gascon Saintongeois temperament makes this dog a devoted companion.
These hounds adore their family members, including children. Still, it is always recommended to supervise young children when they interact with dogs of any breed.
The Gascon Saintongeois tends to be friendly with strangers as well. This is especially true when these dogs are socialized with many different people from a young age.
4. Pack Dog
The Gascon Saintongeois is a pack hunting dog.
With proper introductions and supervision, these dogs usually do well in homes with other canines.
If possible, socialize your Gascon Saintongeois with other dogs from a young age.
It is always recommended to supervise canine interactions, even among dogs that know each other well.
Since these hounds were bred to hunt rabbits and other small game, they are generally not compatible with small household pets such as cats, bunnies or ferrets. However, there are exceptions to this rule.
5. Sonorous Voice
The breed standard for the Gascon Saintongeois mentions that they possess a “sonorous voice.”
Hounds, in general, are vocal dogs. The Gascon Saintongeois is no exception.
Hunting hounds are bred to “bay” when they are on a scent. This special type of barking allows the hunter to follow his or her dogs through rough terrain.
Some people do not mind owning vocal dogs.
However, if you are intolerant of barking, a Gascon Saintongeois (or any kind of hound), is probably not the right choice for you.
For the same reason, these dogs are not recommended for apartment dwellers.
The Gascon Saintongeois thrives in a rural setting with ample space.
Gascon Saintongeois History:
Where Does the Gascon Saintongeois Dog Breed Come From?
The Gascon Saintongeois originated in France.
The breed is descended from an ancient breed called the Saintongeois Hound (now extinct).
In fact, only three specimens of the Saintongeois Hound survived the French Revolution.
A man by the name of Baron Joseph de Carayon-LaTour of Chateau Virelade bred those three specimens with Grand Bleu de Gascognes.
The result was the Gascon Saintongeois.
The United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized the Grand Gascon Saintongeois in 1993.
However, the Gascon Saintongeois is still not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
The breed is rare outside of France. The Gascon Saintongeois is also sometimes known as the Virelade.
Gascon Saintongeois Size and General Appearance
The breed standard describes the Gascon Saintongeois as “a hound with substance and staying power.”
The typical Gascon Saintongeois weight is between 40 and 71 lbs.
The average Gascon Saintongeois height is between 22 and 28 inches.
Acceptable Gascon Saintongeois colors include: white with black and tan markings or speckling.
These dogs are muscular with long tails and droopy ears.
They bear some resemblance to the Bluetick Coonhound.
A Guide to Gascon Saintongeois Training
The hard-working Gascon Saintongeois temperament makes this breed a good candidate for training.
Some people might tell you that hounds are “stubborn,” but this is not necessarily true.
Hounds were bred to make decisions independently in the field, so they can be more independently minded than some breeds. However, they are still highly trainable.
It is ideal to start training as early as possible. Keep training sessions short, fun and variable.
Sign up for a puppy socialization class or an introductory obedience class if possible.
Make sure you find a trainer that uses positive training methods. Harsh punishments and painful training devices (such as prong collars or shock collars) are not necessary to train a dog. In fact, they will damage the relationship between you and your new companion.
Instead, find a trainer that uses force free methods. Positive reinforcement training is fun, humane and effective.
Eventually, you and your Gascon Saintongeois can get involved in more advanced activities such as nosework or search and rescue work.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your Gascon Saintongeois dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.
A Guide to Gascon Saintongeois Grooming
When it comes to grooming, the Gascon Saintongeios is a low-maintenance choice.
The Gascon Saintongeois has short fur that is easy to maintain with occasional brushing and bathing.
Professional haircuts are not necessary for this breed.
However, it is still important to provide regular ear cleanings, nail trims, and dental care.
The Gascon Saintongeois is not a hypoallergenic breed. If you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog, please check out this article for more information about hypoallergenic breeds.
Staying Healthy: Gascon Saintongeois Health Issues
Luckily, the Gascon Saintongeois is a fairly healthy breed.
However, there are always certain health issues to be aware of with any breed.
Talk with your veterinarian about Gascon Saintongeois health issues before you bring one home.
If you acquire your dog from a breeder, speak with the breeder at length about the health of the bloodline. Ask to see medical records and the results of genetic testing.
Be on the watch for the following conditions:
- Ear Infections
- Hip Dysplasia
- Bloat
Bring your Gascon Saintongeois for a checkup with a veterinarian at least once per year.
Make sure that your Gascon Saintongeois stays on heartworm prevention, flea prevention, and tick prevention at all times.
Spaying and neutering are recommended for household pets. Unless you plan to get involved in the world of competitive conformation dog shows, talk with your vet about the best time to schedule this procedure.
Feed your Gascon Saintongeois a high-quality diet that is free of artificial ingredients or filler ingredients (such as corn or animal by-products).
With excellent care and nutrition, the typical Gascon Saintongeois lifespan is between 12 and 14 years.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Note: Don't let the issues above scare you. The best way to approach health problems is to prevent them in the first place. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is a great place to start. Get a copy to keep at home. It will help you prevent the painful health issues that can plague your lovely dog from expressing his winning personality and maximizing his life expectancy.
Gascon Saintongeois Rescue and Adoption
If you decide that the Gascon Saintongeois temperament is a good fit for your lifestyle, you may find it challenging to find one.
This is a rare breed, so finding a Gascon Saintongeois to add to your family will take time and patience.
One option is to look for a Gascon Saintongeois for adoption.
Adoption is a great way to add a pet to your family.
There are already so many homeless dogs in the world, so is a nice way to give a second chance to a dog in need.
Most dogs that are up for adoption will make wonderful pets. They just need someone to give them a chance.
You can find many adoptable pets at your local animal shelter or humane society. Although Gascon Saintongeois are rare in shelters, the staff can direct you towards similar breeds or keep your application on file for the future.
The internet is another great resource for viewing adoptable animals. Check out websites such as Petfinder.com, Adoptapet.com and Getyourpet.com.
You can also find dozens of hound networking groups on Facebook.
When you adopt a pet through a rescue group or an adoption agency, the Gascon Saintongeois cost is usually substantially lower than through a breeder.
The average adoption fee is between $100 and $300 depending on the organization. That price usually includes spay/neuter, vaccinations and vetting.
Finding a Gascon Saintongeois for Sale from a Responsible Breeder
One the other hand, when you purchase a rare breed like a Gascon Saintongeois puppy from a breeder, it is not unusual for the cost to be over $1000.
Even if you can afford the Gascon Saintongeois cost, you will probably still have a hard time finding one of these dogs for sale.
Some people choose to travel to France to acquire a puppy from a French breeder. However, if you do this you will have to factor in the cost and logistics of traveling internationally with a puppy.
There are a very limited number of Gascon Saintongeois breeders in the United States. Contact the American Kennel Club for a list of reputable breeders.
Never purchase Gascon Saintongeois puppies over the internet for from pet shops.
Always visit a potential breeder in person. It is worth the extra effort to make sure your puppy comes from an ethical source and not from a puppy mill or a backyard breeder.
A good breeder will welcome your visit and will happily answer any questions about the breed or their breeding practices. They should have medical records on file for all of their dogs. A good breeder will ask you questions, too. They want to make sure you can provide a good home for one of their pups.
A good breeder will not over breed their dogs, and will probably only have one or two litters per year. Therefore, you will probably be placed on a waiting list for a puppy to become available.
Conclusion: Why the Gascon Saintongeois?
Even though the Gascon Saintongeois is very scarce, if you are patient and persistent you will be rewarded with the loving Gascon Saintongeois temperament.
These dogs have many great qualities including intelligence, sweetness and loyalty. They make excellent hunting companions and outstanding family dogs.
However, they also require a big commitment of time, energy and space.
If you have the right environment and lifestyle for a large, active hound, you might find the dog of your dreams in the Gascon Saintongeois temperament.
Allie has worked in the field of animal welfare for over ten years and as a freelance writer the space for many years. She has had many different kinds of dogs (and cats) throughout her life—all adopted. She currently shares her home with a lovable pit bull mix named Huckleberry.