10 Things You Didn’t Know About the American Blue Gascon Hound
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Dog owners who love their pets are encouraged to learn everything they can about the breed of their beloved pet. While dogs all share a few common characteristics each kind has peculiarities that make them unique as a distinct breed. This is part of the reason why some people are more attracted to a specific breed. The American Blue Gascon Hound is no exception. If you have one of these smart and loving pups, you’re in the right place to learn more about him here. Here are 10 things that you probably didn’t know about the Blue Gascon Hound to give you some insights into the qualities that make him special.
1. American Blue Gascons are smart
According to Dog Breed Info, this is a highly intelligent dog breed that is above average in its ability to think things through. This means that he is likely to be easy to train if you do so with positive reinforcement and teach him that there are rewards for good behavior and none for acting out. He is likely to think things through as an adult if he receives the proper socialization.
2. This breed is good for families
The American Blue Gascon tends to be a devoted and loyal dog. They love their families and feel protective over them. They enjoy human companionship and usually do very well with children of all ages. They do better with older children who understand that pets are to be treated with love and kindness, but can be trained to tolerate younger children, however, as with any canine, small children should be supervised when playing with an American Blue Gascon.
3. American Blue Gascons need a firm hand
Because of this dog’s high intelligence, a firm hand from the owner is required. He tends to become dog-aggressive if he is not socialized from an early age, preferably as a puppy. Owners must be firm and consistent when training this natural-born pack leader to keep the upper hand when discouraging unwanted and unacceptable behaviors.
4. Early socialization is key
American Blue Gascons can become reserved around strangers as this is a part of their nature. If you have friends who like to drop by and you trust them, it’s a good idea to socialize your dog from puppyhood to tolerate strangers and learn that it’s okay to have company. If you don’t, the natural tendency of this breed is to bark and bay and be wary of new people around his family or his home.
5. American Blue Gascon puppies are always born white
According to the American Blue Gascon Hound Association, this breed is always white-colored at birth. They are born with a permanent black mark that darkens as they enter puberty. The dogs turn colors as they begin to grow. You never know what you’re going to get until they turn. Common colors include blue, tan trim, and black on blue. Some are roan mottled, steel blue, blue brindle, or grizzled in the coat patterns.
6. He is a superior hunter
The American Blue Gascon Hound is one of the best-hunting dogs in the world. He has a keen sense of smell that makes him a good tracker. This dog is capable of traversing rigorous terrain and environmental conditions. He tends to have the amazing scenting ability with a rugged physique, stamina, agility, a strong desire to hunt, and perseverance when stalking his prey. He is a dog that is commonly used to tree game.
7. American Blue Gascon Hounds are powerful
This breed has a muscular build and is well suited for use as a working dog. He is happiest when he is on the hunt. Make sure that your American Blue Gascon gets plenty of regular exercises. Daily walks are recommended. It’s ideal to raise him with a large fenced yard so he has plenty of room to run and explore. He needs regular workouts to maintain his muscle tone.
8. American Blue Gascon Hounds are medium-sized dogs
When fully mature, the American Blue Gascon male reaches a height between 27 inches to 30 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 90 to 100 pounds on average. The females are between 25 o 28 inches tall at the shoulder. The average weight is between 75 to 85 pounds. Some dogs that spend a lot of time hunting in the hills may develop even more muscle mass which weighs more than fat, so if your American Blue Gascon is active, make sure that he or she gets a healthy and balanced diet formulated for active dogs, will a lot of healthy proteins and some fat. Active dogs burn calories quickly.
9. American Blue Gascon Hounds can be loud
According to Wag Walking, this is a vocal breed that has a loud bark and a soulful bay. This is a characteristic that the neighbors may not appreciate. It’s wise to train your dog from puppyhood to obey commands to silence or you may get calls from the neighbors asking you to quiet your dog in the middle of the night. They can sense when a stray cat, dog, or raccoon walks across the lawn and it’s hard to turn off their bark alarms.
10. American Blue Gascon Hounds have tons of energy
Be prepared for a dog that has the energy to spare. This is an energetic breed with tons of stamina. Your Blue Gascon needs to learn from an early age to respond to commands to settle down. He needs to have toys of his own to play with as a puppy or he will make toys out of your slippers and other items in the house. Be patient with him because he will have more energy than he knows how to handle. Playtimes and going for a good long run can help him to burn off some of his excess energy.
