BASSET HOUND (REVISED JANUARY 1, 2009)
Scenthound Group
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©Copyright 1991, United Kennel Club, Inc.



HISTORY

The Basset Hound originated in France, possibly as early as 1585. After the French Revolution, the breed again rose in popularity among the peasants. Before the Revolution, hunting hounds were used only by the nobility. The peasants could not hunt from horseback, only on foot, so they required a shorter-legged, slower hound. The Basset Hound was also ideal for hunting in heavy cover due to its shape and size.

The breed found its way to England in the 1860's, the initial dogs were gifts from Comte de Tuornow to Lord Galway.

The Basset Hound was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1928.

A short-legged, long-bodied, well-balanced hound of considerable substance. Any good hound color is acceptable. The coat is short, close and smooth, and a certain amount of loose skin is desirable.

The Basset is a tenacious hunting hound of ancient lineage. It hunts by scent, and has a pack instinct, and a deep, melodious voice. The breed is capable of great endurance. It is friendly and affectionate, never aggressive or timid.

The head is large, lean and well proportioned. The skin over the entire head is loose and it is wrinkled over the brow and beside the eyes when the head is lowered.

SKULL - The skull is domed and shows a pronounced occiput. It is of medium width at the brow, and tapers slightly towards the muzzle. The length from the nose to the stop is approximately the same or slightly longer as the length from the stop to the occiput. The stop is moderate.

MUZZLE - The muzzle is lean and not snipey. The flews of the upper lip overlap the lower substantially. The top of the muzzle is nearly parallel, with a line from the stop to the occiput.

TEETH - A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite.

Serious Faults: Undershot or overshot bite.

EYES - The eyes are brown, but they may be hazel in light-colored hounds. The eyes are lozenge-shaped, and neither too prominent nor too deep. The expression is calm and serious, and the third eyelid is visible, but not excessively.

NOSE - Entirely black, except in light-colored hounds, where it may be brown or liver, with large, wide-opened nostrils that may protrude a bit over the lips.

EARS - The ears are set low on the skull, not above the lines of the eyes. They are long, reaching beyond the end of the nose when pulled forward. They are thin and velvety in texture and narrow and curl inward.

Muscular, well arched and fairly long, with a pronounced dewlap.

The shoulder blades are well laid back. The shoulders are not heavy. The elbows fit neatly into the sides. There are wrinkles of skin on the lower legs.

FORELEGS - The forelegs are short and powerful, and heavy in bone. The forearms incline inward slightly, but not so much as to prevent free action or result in the legs touching each other when standing or in action. Dewclaws may be removed.

Very Serious Fault: Knuckling over.

The body is long and deep throughout its length. The withers and the hindquarters are approximately the same height. The chest fits neatly into the crook of the forearm when seen from the front. The breastbone is prominent, and the chest is neither narrow nor unduly deep. The topline is straight and level, and the back is fairly broad. The loin may arch slightly.

Serious Faults: Roach back. Sagging back. Slackness of loin. Flatsidedness.

The hindquarters are full of muscle, standing out well and rounded.

HIND LEGS - The stifles are well bent. Wrinkles of skin may appear between the hock joint and the foot, and at the back of the hock joint there might be a slight pouch resulting from loose skin. The hocks are well let down and slightly bent under, but turn neither in nor out and are just under the body when standing naturally.

Serious Faults: Cowhocks. Straight hocks. Weak hocks. Bowed legs.

Massive, well knuckled and padded. The front feet may turn slightly out or point straight ahead, but in any case the hound always stands true, with the weight equally distributed on the toes and no pads not touching the ground.

Well set and rather long, strong at the base and tapering towards the end. It appears to be a continuation of the spine, but with a slight curve. It is carried well up and in saber fashion, never curled over the back.

Smooth, close and hard with sufficient density for protection. The skin is loose and elastic.

Very Serious Fault: Long haired, soft coat.

Generally black, tan and white, or lemon and white, but any good hound color is acceptable. The distribution of color and markings is not important.

13 to 15 inches at the withers.

Very Serious Fault: Over 15 inches at the withers.

The gait of the Basset Hound is a most important feature. It must be smooth, free and true, with good reach in front and strong thrust from behind. The hocks and stifles should never be stiff and no toes should drag on the ground.

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.