Basset Hound

Basset Hound

The Basset Hound possesses in marked degree those characteristics which equip it admirable to follow a trail over and through difficult terrain. It is a short legged dog, heavier in bone size considered, than any other breed of dog,and while its movement is deliberate, it is in no sense clumsy. In temperament it is mild, never sharp or timid. It is capable of great endurance in the field and is extreme in its devotion.

General appearance Short-legged hound of considerable substance, well balenced, full of quality. A certain amount of loose skin desirable.

Characteristics Tenacious hound of ancient lineage which hunts by scent, possessing a pack instinct, a deep melodious voice and capable of great endurance in the field.

Temperament Placid, never aggressive or timid. Affectionate

Head and the skull Domed with some stop and occipital bone prominent; of medium with at brow and tapering slightly to muzzle; general appearance of the foreface lean not snipey. Top of muzzle nearly parallel with line from stop to stop to occiput and not much longer than head from stop to occiput. There may be a moderate amount of wrinkle at brown and beside eyes. In any event skin of head loose enough as to wrinkle noticeably when draw forward or when head is lowered. Flews of upper lip overlap lower substantially. Nose entirely blackexcept in light-cloured hounds when it may be brown or liver. Large and well opened nostrils may protrude a little beyond lips.

Eyes Lozenge-shaped, neither prominent nor too deep-set, dark but may shade to mid-brown in light-coloured hounds. Expression calm and serious. Red of lower lid appears thought not excessively. Light or yellow eye highly undesirable.

Ears Set on low, just below line of eye. Long; reaching well beyond end of muzzle of correct lenght, but not excessively so. Narrow throughout their lenght and curling well inwards; very supple, fine and velvety in texure.

Mouth Jaws strong, wit a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck Muscular well arched and fairly long with pronounced but not exaggerated dewlap.

ForeQuarters Shoulder blades well laid back; shoulders not heavy. Forelegs short, powerful and with great bone; elbows turning neither in nor out but fitting neatly against side. Upper forearm inclined slightly inwards, but not to such an extent as to prevvent free action or to result in legs touching each other when standing or in action; forechest fitting neatly into crook when viewed from front. Knuckling-over highly undesirable. Wrinkles of skin on lower legs.

Body Long and deep throughout length, breast bone prominent but chest neither narroe nor unduly deep; ribs well rounded and sprung, without flange, carried well back. Back rather broad; level; withers and quarters of approx-imately same height, though loins may arch slightly. Back from withers to inset of quarters not unduly long.

HindQuarters Full of muscle and standing out well, giving an almost spherical effect when viewed from rear. Stifles well bent. hocks well let down and slightly bent under but turn niether in nor out and just under body when standing naturally.Wrinkles of skin may appear between hock and foot, and at rear of joint a slight pouch resulting from looseness of skin.

Feet Massive, well knuckled up and padded. Forefeet may point straight ahead or be turnad slightly outwards but in every case hound always stands perfectly true, weight being born equally by toes with pads together so that feet would leave an imprint of large hound and no unpadded areas in contact with ground.

Tail Stern well set on, rather long, strong at base, tapering, with moderate amount of coarse hair underneath. When moving stern carried well up and curving gently, sabre-fashion, never curling or gay.

Gait / Movement Most important. Smooth free action with forelegs reaching well forward and hindlegs showing powerful thrust, hound moving true both front and rear. Hocks and stifles never stiff in movement, nor must any toes be dragged.

Coat Smooth, short and close without being too fine. Whole outline clean and free from feathering. Long - haired, soft coat with feather highly undesirable.

Colour Generally black, whit and tan tricolour; lemon and white bi-colour; but any recognised hound colour acceptable.

Size Height: 33-38 cms (13-15ins) at withers.

Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note Male animals should have two apperently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.