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The Grand Gascon Saintongeois is a fairly new breed of hunting dog that was created by Baron Joseph de Carayon LaTour of the Chateau Virelade during the mid 19th century. This breed is the living progeny of the now extinct Saintongeois Hound and the Grand Bleu de Gascogne.
This breed has the characteristics and the physical features of the two breeds from where it was developed. The Grand Gascon Saintongeois is first and foremost a hunting breed, one that has great strength, staying power, an ultra sensitive smell, a deep powerful voice and great perseverance that makes the breed a competent hunter of large game like deer, wild boar and foxes. This dog is cunning and intelligent, well able to maneuver and drive the game to the point of the hunter's gun. The Grand Gascon Saintongeois that was originally developed to hunt roe deer because of its speed may not be as large as the Grand Bleu de Gascogne but it has a more elastic gallop. These dogs will hunt in packs or individually and it can not be avoided that cuts and nicks will result from working in dense vegetation. Wounds and scars that would result from encounters with bigger game are considered to be honorable wounds and show the courageous nature of this breed.
