The Basset Hound…From their solemn face to their floor length ears they are lovable lumbering hard hunting hounds.

The Basset Hound is an old breed, descended directly from the Bloodhound.  Shakespeare described the Basset Hound with the following poetic image: “Ears which sweep away the morning dew.”  However, the true fame of the Basset Hound began around 1863, when it was presented at the Paris Dog Show.  Its popularity spread to England and it was recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1883.  The English had an argument between two breed factions going on at the time, one wanted to keep the Basset a pure hunting dog and the other wanted to transform it into a companion dog.  The American breeders were in the middle between the English factions and proceeded to develop a family companion dog without sacrificing any of the qualities of the hunter.  The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club for registration and show status in 1964 (Yes, that late in time).

 The typical Basset Hound has short legs and a very heavy bone structure but should be able to move with agility and without clumsiness.  The average height is 14 to 16 inches at the shoulder and the dog should weight between 40 and 60 pounds.  The Basset should have a large, well-proportioned head with a dome-shaped skull and accentuated occipital protuberances (heavy eyebrows).  The skin on the head and legs is loose and falls in folds.  Its nose should be black, lips pendent (hanging) and teeth should be well developed with a scissor bite.  The dog’s neck should be powerful with a pronounced dewlap (skin folds under the neck).  The eyes should be dark, sweet and sad.  Their ears should be well long enough that when pulled forward should come well beyond the tip of the nose.  The body should be at least twice as long as the dog is tall.  The tail is slightly curved and carried gaily above the body.  The coat is short, thick, hard and shiny.  Any acceptable hound color is allowed but the most common colors are tri-colored (Black/White/Tan) or red/chestnut/sand and white.

 The Basset Hound is mild mannered but not timid, very affectionate with its family and friendly with children.  A Basset Hound will rarely if ever bite, but is known to be very stubborn.  It has a pleasing hound voice. and it can be very difficult to housebreak, but once trained it will be impeccably clean.

 With its outstanding sense of smell, it is a natural hunter and there are many clubs around the United States that hold field trials for Bassets on rabbits and fox hunting.  As a hunter in the field, the Basset is a meticulous scent hound and does not push game at a fast pace.

 Care should be taken not to over feed the Basset Hound, it can easily become overweight and with the body length can have an adverse effect on the skeletal system of the dog.  These dogs can also suffer from bloat and two or more small meals a day are suggested.  The long heavy ears make the Basset Hound susceptible to ear infections and the loose skin around the face can cause eye irritations.

Information obtained from the American Kennel Club and United Kennel Club Breed standards, Photos from United Kennel Club Website.  First photo Bassets Hunting, Second Adult Basset, Third Basset Puppy.

By Luanne Bragg

TalkHunting Pro Staffer, Luanne "Beaglepup" Bragg, started hunting (going hunting) with her Grandfather in the fall of 1965.  He loved to squirrel hunt and would carry her into the woods and sit her on a rock and let her hold his prizes.  He took Luanne on her first Pheasant and Rabbit hunts when she was 7.  Shortly after that he had a massive stroke and was never able to return to the woods again.  When Luanne was 9 her Father, who was about to retire from the Marine Corps after 20 years active duty, and Uncle decided that since she could shoot she could remove the ground hogs and crows from the farm fields.  Luanne spent the next few years watching all the wildlife and removing varmints from the farm.  She took herself deer hunting for the first time when she was 15 and took her first deer at 17.  There was a long time between Luanne's first deer and her next deer due to college and work and general life.  She did a lot of small game hunting with her ex-husband starting in 1985 and killed her next deer in 1988.  She has not missed a deer or turkey season since.  When not hunting she is fishing or working in her garden (when not WORKING...).

Luanne has raised, trained and field trialed Beagles in the UKC and ARHA formats for 20 years and has produced several Field and Show Champions and Grand Field and Show Champions.  There is usually at least one litter of puppies born on her place every year.

She holds a Real Estate License in Virginia and owns a Dog Boarding Kennel.  Luanne belongs to the National Association of Realtors, Central Virginia Beaglers Association, NRA, NWTF and Buckmasters.  She was born in East Liverpool, Ohio,  and started showing Appaloosa horses in 1969 and was the Pennsylvania Appaloosa Queen in 1980 and runner up to the National Queen Title the same year. When she gets the chance she still enjoys a long trail ride.  She graduated from Kent State University in Kent Ohio in 1982 with a degree in Applied Science. Luanne relocated from Ohio to Virginia in 1984.