These interesting little dogs nearly became extinct in the 19th Century but were rescued due to the interest of a French enthusiast named Alain Bourbon.

The Basset Bleu De Gascogne is a short-legged ("Basset" means "short-legged"), long-backed hound. It has long, floppy ears and a smooth coat which is white with "ticking" to give the blue appearance. 

Their origin is a little unclear but it is known that they were used in France at the time of the French Revolution for hunting on foot - their shape prevents them from moving too quickly.

They are trainable, but like all hounds, may become selectively 'deaf' when they catch an interesting scent. They are stable and friendly around people but their natural tendency is to chase wildlife. They enjoy regular exercise and have good stamina for long walks.

Their short coat is easy to maintain with the occasional brush. They are a generally healthy dog although food allergies have been reported and occasional gastric problems.