| Many of you may wonder where the Basset Hound | | | | creation of the Basset Hound Club of America in the |
| acquired it's name. Would it surprise you if I told you | | | | year 1935. |
| that the name actually derives from a French word, | | | | According to AKC requirement standards, the it should |
| "bas?" "Bas" can be interpreted in French as meaning | | | | range between twelve and fifteen inches in height for |
| low. Rumors have it that Basset Hounds are genetic | | | | males and eleven to fourteen inches for females. You |
| dwarfs that were from litters of other French Hounds. | | | | can expect the average male to weigh between fifty |
| They are direct descendants of what is today known | | | | to sixty pounds while the females are just a little lighter |
| as a Bloodhound. Their first showing was in 1863 in | | | | at forty-five to possibly up to sixty pounds. Your |
| Paris, France. Shortly after this dog show England | | | | average Bloodhound will live from ten to twelve years |
| became obsessed with the Basset Hound. It became | | | | of age. |
| very popular, a huge debate arose because the | | | | It was designed to follow trails on the most difficult of |
| English people could not agree on whether the dog | | | | terrains. While they appear to be clumsy the Basset |
| would stay in the hunting class or if it would become a | | | | Hound is far from it. This well proportioned dog is |
| companion. | | | | constructed in a manner where it's short legs are |
| While this was occurring American breeders had | | | | shorter than that of any other breed in existence |
| begun developing a bloodline of it that was ideal for a | | | | today. With a full and deep chest they stand low with |
| hunter that preferred to hunt on foot. If you were | | | | a full, deep chest and a large but yet proportioned |
| wondering why then you should consider the simple | | | | head. |
| fact that the Basset Hound was a slow paced dog. | | | | The standard Basset Hound stands with the elbows |
| One of the advantages of using this breed is that they | | | | and shoulders close to the sides of the dog's chest. |
| are social dogs that are able to not only hunt alone but | | | | They should have a well extended, smooth and what |
| hunt in packs as well. While the Basset Hound was | | | | appears to be a very long back. You can definitely |
| used for this "on foot hunting" it was also used as a | | | | expect a full as well as a round hindquarter. |
| companion. | | | | As with all hounds the tail will have a slight curve and is |
| In 1884, the Westminster Kennel Club showed their | | | | directly connected to the spine. When it comes to a |
| dog and by 1885 the it was recognized by the AKC. | | | | color description, any accepted hound color will be |
| These were the first steps that later lead to the | | | | adequate. |