Petit bleu de Gascogne
This ancient breed, whose history is as long as the past of famous grand blue de Gascogne hound, was long time almost unknown to the cynologic public. It is possible to explain it - these dogs were bred by hunters only for their use and in this case they don't have to to register all puppies to the breeding register, or to show the dogs on any shows. But nowadays right these highbred and ideal-sized hounds became the most popular breed of french hounds in abroad. They are mainly favoured in Spain and Italy, where is even an independent club.

The origin of small blue gascogny hounds, as well as the "greats", dates back to Gaston Phoeb and his famous pack of "blue hounds". But there were several next centruries before these two types were separated. Firstly in XVIII. century the first mentiones of small blue coloured hounds appear.

Mr. de Foundras - Chateauthiers, bishop in Poitiers (1720 - 1773), kept in his court in Dissay pack of "blues". His dogs were admired for example by prince de Conde or duke Bourbonais. These dogs were specialy coached for hunts with guns in Chantilly. Even its description was saved: " They were low, light but strong, had wide back, very thin tail and ears were soft and very well curled in. They hold our interest, they have a marble skin, even when they have a white coat. Their slaty colouring didn't change, even when they got wet in a pond or in a morning dew during the following a wildlife. They had beautiful voice, they held tack the pug in middle or slower speed, but they were careful not to make a mistake.

The Antiquity of this breed is definite. However we find only few mentions of it, because in old times big coursing dogs were admired for horse hunts and these small dogs specialized more for walking hunts were not considerred as enough noble.

Present lines of small blue are comming from the origin area - Gascogne, where they composed basis of packs hunting in Landy, for exmaple pack Pallye Pinderes. Thate gave the base of todays pack Rallye Pequ'avant les Blues and was founded in 1836.

Unfortunately the date of conception of the standard is unknown. We suppose that the first standard of small blue gascogny hound was written in the beginning of 20's in 20th century, beacuse the first standards of blue gascogny wire-haired hounds (1920) and grand blue de Gascogne (1921) were written at that time. This is known from documents that are kept v archive of the breeding club. The first version of the standard is from 1930 and is published in hand book of hounds standards, that was edited by Societe de la venerie in 1930. Here is the breed called "Small gascogny hound of small figure". Next version is from 1971 and is not much different from the one from 1930. Only the height was changed. It was orginally 48 - 56 cm, but present heights are different for sex, 52 - 58 for males and 50 - 56 for bitches. Also the black and white flecking steped aside and only bluey tone is demanded. The name of the breed changed too, in this standard is the breed called "Small blue de Gascogne".

It reminds its big brother in exterier. It is generally more compact, its lines are more tight and narrow, the head is more light with close lips and the neck keeps necessary slight dewlap. Its close coat is neither too soft nor extremely short, so it provides him against indisposed effects of surrounding.

The rarity is the work style and the voice of these hounds. Its voice is deep and reminds great blue, bitches voice is more sad and squeaky in the end. Style of hunting, that is followed by this "music" is also unique, because small blue barks with a head little bit up. In the moment of this gestute they stop for a while. When they hunt in the moment of barking they put the head up and after that again start to stalk. It is a beautiful style. To these singularities we have to add common qualities of the hound from south-west, that are excellent nose and great ability to keep a track in unfriendly weather and difficult terrain. They are well kept in packs. They are used for hunts with a gun, rarely in courses. They were specialized for hunting of hares, but today they prove in hunting of all cloven-hoofed game, including wild-boars or even fox.

Through its unquestionable qualities this breed was in one period almost moribund, for sure in the case of dogs with pedigrees. In 1974 only two dogs of this breed were registered. But in next period it started to expand and today it is among the hounds with the highest number of registers.