Gascon Saintongeois
Also known as Grand gascon saintongeois, Petit gascon saintongeois, Chien de Virelade
- Height at the withers
- 54 to 72 cm
- Weight
- 25 to 32 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11 to 13 years
- Daily activity
- 120 minutes
- Origin
- France
- FCI group
- 6 · Scent hounds
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- a home with cats
Overview
A scent hound from southwest France with a white coat spotted with black and marked with pale tan, the Gascon Saintongeois comes in two varieties, the Grand and the Petit, which differ mainly in size. A pack hound with a keen nose and a beautiful voice, it hunts roe deer, wild boar and hare in a full pack or a small group. Calm and affectionate, it remains a hunting dog first and foremost rather than a companion dog.
History and origins
In the mid-19th century, Count Joseph de Carayon-Latour, hoping to revive the declining Saintonge hound, crossed its last representatives with Baron de Ruble’s Bleu de Gascogne hounds: the Grand Gascon Saintongeois was born, at the cost of the original Saintongeois disappearing. In the mid-20th century, huntsmen in southwest France selected the smallest dogs in their litters to establish the Petit Gascon Saintongeois, first intended for hare. The two varieties share a single FCI standard (no. 21), and the breed, well established among hunters, passed 600 registrations with the French Kennel Club (LOF) in 2025.
Health
Life expectancy is 11 to 13 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Ear infections (long ears)
- Hip dysplasia
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus
- Grass awns and hunting injuries
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, minimal coat care. Coat colors: white spotted with black, sometimes ticked, with pale tan markings on the cheeks and above the eyes, A dead-leaf brown “roe deer mark” often seen on the lower thigh.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Impossible, 1 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Very high, 5 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Rarely, 2 out of 5
- Barking
- Very vocal, 5 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Gascon Saintongeois FAQ
How big does the Gascon Saintongeois get?
The Gascon Saintongeois stands 54 to 72 cm at the withers and weighs 25 to 32 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the Gascon Saintongeois shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the Gascon Saintongeois live in an apartment?
It is not recommended: it needs space, ideally a house with a yard. Mind the neighbors: it barks readily.
How much exercise does the Gascon Saintongeois need each day?
Allow about 120 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Gascon Saintongeois good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Gascon Saintongeois live?
Life expectancy is 11 to 13 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are ear infections and hip dysplasia.
