The Basset-hound
This is said to be a very ancient variety of dog, having existed in France for several centuries. In France the term "Basset" is frequently employed to indicate any crooked-legged variety of dog, being synonymous with the English word "Terrier" and the German "Dachs." Consequently the word "Basset," when applied to a dog in France, may become a very ambiguous one. There are Rough and Smooth-coated strains of Basset-hounds, but the Smooth-coated are the most popular varieties, and most of the Hounds shown at the Kennel Club shows are of the Smooth-coated variety, although this useful canine body provides a class for Rough-coated ones in addition. The Smooth-coated Basset had his origin in the province of Artois, whilst the Rough-coated variety came from Flanders. Although there are the crooked, half-crooked, and straight-legged Bassets in both Rough and Smooth coats, the only one of interest in this country is that having the full-crook of leg.
The late Mr Everett Millais brought the breed into prominence in England in 1874, through the importation of a famous Basset, called Model.
He purchased this hound at the Jardin d'Acclimation in Paris.
This animal was the foundation-stone of the Basset as he appears in England at the present day.
The late Mr G. R. Krehl did much towards the improvement of the breed, and later, many other enthusiastic admirers, none more so than Mrs Tottie.
The scenting powers of these dogs are said to be exceptional, and many prefer them to Beagles for rabbiting, their deep, clear musical notes telling one exactly of their whereabouts. Most of these Hounds are exceedingly sweet-tempered, though rather troublesome to rear.
In height they are from 9 to 12 inches at shoulder, but 12 inches is a desirable height, and about 40 lbs. weight.
Colour.—The most popular one is the tricolour, viz., white body with black markings and a tan-coloured head. Many varieties of white and black and tan.
Coat.—Glossy, smooth and close, but the hair must be hard enough to make the jacket fairly waterproof.
Head.—Taken as a whole in the Smooth-coated variety, the head has the expression not unlike that of a Bloodhound, chiefly owing to the high peak, deeply-set eyes, exposed "haw" and close carriage of the ears at their set-on . This expression of face is, however, overshadowed in the Rough-coated variety, the Airedale or Otterhound being more in evidence in this region.
In the Smooth-coated variety there is often a very weird expression on the face, and one that betokens a good-natured animal. Head must be long, have a good peak (no "stop"), and be rather narrow, but no snipy appearance. A typical head and ears, a good front and long body are, in short, the principal beauties of the Basset, and points of vital importance in judging the breed. A black nose, strong teeth, good long cheeks (flews as they are called), and a long, strong jaw with large, long, velvety ears, complete the beauties in the region of the head.
Mr Proctor's Basset-hound Bitch Queen of the Geisha.
[Fall, Photographer.
A Brace of Typical Smooth-coated Basset-hounds (Property of Mrs Lubbock, Farnborough).
Smooth-coated Basset-hound Bitch and Her Puppies.
Smooth Basset-hound Dog Champion Louis Le Beau. Died 1902. A veritable pillar of the Stud Book (Property of Mrs Tottie).
Typical Smooth-coated Basset Bitch. (Note the perfection of facial expression).
A Group of Champion Smooth-coated Bassets.
[Horner, Photographer, Settle.
Typical Rough Basset Bitch (Bred by Mrs Tottie).
[Horner, Photographer, Settle.
Rough-coated Basset-hound Dog Champion Puritan.
Fore-quarters and Chest.—Viewed from the front and in profile, this region is powerfully built, the chest nearly touching the ground, the shoulders short and muscular, arm very short, with a short, stoutly-made forearm, turning in at the knee. From the wrist (knee) the parts below turn outwards, so as to give the Hound a very splay-footed appearance.
Typical Rough-coated Basset Dog.
The back is long, somewhat hollow, rising slightly at the loins to the top of the croup, and from this very powerful muscles should spring. Weak hind-quarters are a serious defect. Well-rounded ribs and plenty of loose skin, especially over the tops of the shoulders and back, are desirable qualifications for the show ring.
Our illustration represents one of the most typical Basset-hound bitches ever seen.
Club.—The Basset Society.
Rules of the Basset-hound Club.
1. That the name of this Club be "The Basset-hound Club."
2. That the objects of the Club be to promote the breeding of pure Smooth-coated and Rough-coated Basset-hounds, to define precisely, and publish a description of the true type; to urge the adoption of such type on breeders, exhibitors, judges, dog-show committees and others, as the only recognised and unvarying standard by which Basset-hounds should be judged, and which may in future be uniformly accepted as the standard of excellence in breeding, and in awarding prizes of merit in Basset-hounds: and by giving prizes, supporting and originating shows, and taking other steps to do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed.
3. That the Club compile a correct Stud Book for dogs and bitches, containing the names and pedigrees, as far as can be ascertained, of all pure-bred Basset-hounds, and keep a register of the birth of pure-bred Basset-hounds.
4. That in the event of a Hound winning a prize under the Kennel Club Rules, whose pedigree does not agree with the Basset-hound Club Stud Book, the same shall be objected to on behalf of the Club by the Hon. Sec., with a view to the investigation of its correctness, but in any case the Club Special which may go into the prizes shall be withheld.
5. That the Club consist of unlimited number of Members, whose names and addresses shall be entered in a book to be kept by the Secretary, which book shall be open for inspection at reasonable times. That any respectable person favourable to the object of the Club be eligible for Membership, except professional dealers. That ladies be eligible for Membership.
6. That each candidate for admission be proposed by one Member of the Club personally known to him, and seconded by another, also personally known to him. That the first twenty Members be original members.
7. That the Annual Subscription be two guineas. That the Annual Subscription be due on 1st January of each year, and that any Member failing to pay his Subscription before 31st January have notice given him by the Treasurer; and if his Subscription be still unpaid on 31st March, his rights of Membership shall cease until he has paid his Subscription which is in arrear, and he shall render himself liable to be struck off the list of Members of the Club, unless he can give a satisfactory explanation to the Committee. That the liability of Members shall be limited to their Entrance Fee and Annual Subscription.
8. That the Club offer no prizes or cups at any show not held under the Kennel Club Rules, except at such other shows as the Committee or Sub-Committee may especially approve.
9. That the affairs of the Club shall be managed by a Committee of eight or a Sub-Committee of three, including a Treasurer and Secretary. Three shall form a quorum. That the Committee and Sub-Committee shall retire annually, but shall be eligible for re-election. That the Election of Members to serve on Committee and Sub-Committee be held Annually.
10. That the election of Members shall be made by ballot of Committee or Sub-Committee, two black balls to exclude. That the election of a Member shall be at once notified to him by the Secretary, and the Member shall at once be liable for his Entrance Fee and Subscription for the current year.
11. That the Committee or Sub-Committee meet at least twice a year, and that they have full power to transact all business relating to the Club which they may think fit; to make necessary bye-laws, to arbitrate in disputed matters, to refuse admission to the Club, to decide upon the value and nature of the prizes to be offered at the various shows, and to deal with any question not provided for by these Rules. That seven days' notice must be given of Committee Meetings.
12. That any Member of the Club who shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Committee or Sub-Committee to have in any way misconducted himself in connection with Dogs or Dogs Shows, or to have in any way acted in opposition to the Rules and principles upon which the Club has been established, or in any other manner which would make it undesirable that he should continue to be a member, be expelled from the Club. That such Member shall have no claim against the Club. That the Committee or Sub-Committee may report the expulsion of such Member to the Kennel Club with a view to his being disqualified from exhibiting at any show held under the Kennel Club Rules, and from competing for prizes or cups offered by this Club or the Kennel Club.
13. That there be one General Meeting of the Club each year, to be held at such time as may be found suitable by the Committee or Sub-Committee.
14. That an Extraordinary General Meeting may be convened by the Secretary. That such Extraordinary General Meeting shall have power only to deal with the objects for which it was called.
15. That all Minutes of Meetings be read at the commencement of, and be approved and confirmed by, the next subsequent Meeting.
16. That all expenses incurred by the Treasurer or Secretary for or on behalf of the Club be defrayed out of the funds of the Club.
17. That an Annual Report, the names of the Members and Officers, and the Annual Statement of Accounts (duly audited by two Members of the Committee) be printed, and supplied to each Member not later than 11th February in each year.
18. That no new Rule, or alteration of existing Rules, or reversal of any former act or decision, shall ever be made without a fortnight's notice being given previously in writing to all Members, and without the sanction of at least two-thirds of the Members present. That it shall be competent for any Member unable to attend the Meeting to record, by letter to the Secretary, his opinion to be read at the Meeting, such opinion to be entered in the minutes.
19. That it be competent for any Member to withdraw from the Club on giving notice to the Secretary before 11th December (such Member to have no claim on the Club); provided always that such Member shall be liable for his subscription to the Club for the current year in which he gives such notice.
20. That every Member bring to the notice of the Club Committee any apparent dishonesty at Dog Shows, &c., against which the Club may publish a formal protest.
21. That the Club shall, if possible, hold a special Basset-hound Exhibition, at least once in each year, either confined to members of the Club, or open, as the Committee or Sub-Committee may determine. That the judges at this exhibition be appointed solely by the Club, and that the dogs be judged according to the standard of excellence as defined by the Club.
22. That at other shows, not held or managed by the Club, prizes, cups, or certificates of merit may be provided by the Club for the competition in Basset-hound classes, where these classes are judged by judges appointed or approved by the Club, and according to the standard of excellence adopted by the Club.
23. That a list of Members competent and willing to act as judges of Basset-hounds be annually made by the Committee or Sub-Committee, and the Secretary shall, on the application of the Committee, Secretary, &c., of any Dog Show, send a copy of such list, and arrange with the gentlemen chosen to act as judges at such show; the expenses to be borne by the show at which the judges officiate.
24. That the judges shall not exhibit at, or be interested either directly or indirectly in, any show at which they officiate.
25. That at all shows at which the Club offers prizes or cups, the name of the judge shall be, prior to the date of closing of the entries for such show, submitted to the Secretary of the Club, for the approval of the Committee.
26. That Members may vote by proxy at the General Meeting, such proxies to be sent to the Secretary or Treasurer at least forty-eight hours before the time of Meeting.
27. In the above Rules the word "dog" shall mean both sexes.
28. That the payment of his Subscription by any Member shall imply his full acquiescence in the above Rules.
Points of Basset-hound (Smooth)
| Head, skull, eyes, muzzle, and flews | 15 |
| Ears | 15 |
| Neck, dewlap, chest and shoulders | 10 |
| Forelegs and feet | 15 |
| Back, loins and hind-quarters | 10 |
| Stern | 5 |
| Coat and skin | 10 |
| Colour and markings | 15 |
| "Basset character" and symmetry | 5 |
| —— | |
| Total | 100 |
| ═══ |
General Appearance
1. To begin with, the head is the most distinguishing part of all breeds. The head of the Basset-hound is most perfect when it closest resembles a Bloodhound's. It is long and narrow, with heavy flews, occiput prominent, "la bosse de la chasse," and forehead wrinkled to the eyes, which should be kind, and show the haw. The general appearance of the head must present high breeding and reposeful dignity; the teeth are small, and the upper jaw sometimes protrudes. This is not a fault, and is called the "bec de lievre."
2. The ears are very long, and when drawn forward folding well over the nose—so long, that in hunting they will often actually tread on them; they are set on low, and hang loose in folds like drapery, the ends inward curling, in texture thin and velvety.
3. The neck is powerful, with heavy dewlaps. Elbows must not turn out. The chest is deep, full, and framed like a "man-of-war." Body long and low.
4. Forelegs short, about 4 inches, and close-fitting to the chest till the crooked knee, from where the wrinkled ankle ends in a massive paw, each toe standing out distinctly.
5. The stifles are bent, and the quarters full of muscle, which stands out, so that when one looks at the dog from behind it gives him a round barrel-like effect. This, with their peculiar waddling gait, goes a long way towards Basset character—a quality easily recognised by the judge, and as desirable as Terrier character in a Terrier.
6. The stern is coarse underneath, and carried Hound-fashion.
7. The coat is short, smooth and fine, and has a gloss on it like that of a racehorse. (To get this appearance, they should be hound-gloved, never brushed.) Skin loose and elastic.
8. The colour should be black, white and tan; the head, shoulders, and quarters a rich tan, and black patches on the back. They are also sometimes hare-pied.
Points of the Basset-hound (Rough)
| Head and ears | 20 |
| Body, including hind-quarters | 35 |
| Legs and feet | 20 |
| Coat | 15 |
| "Basset character," etc | 10 |
| —— | |
| Total | 100 |
| ═══ |
General Appearance
1. The head should be large, the skull narrow but of good length, the peak well developed. The muzzle should be strong, and the jaws long and powerful: a snipy muzzle and weakness of jaw are objectionable. The eyes should be dark and not prominent. The ears should be set on low, of good length and fine texture.
2. The neck should be strong, of good length and muscular, set on sloping shoulders.
3. The body should be massive, of good length and well ribbed up, any weakness or slackness of loin being a bad fault. The chest should be large and very deep, the sternum prominent.
4. The forelegs should be short and very powerful, very heavy in bone, either half-crooked or nearly straight. The elbows should lie against the sides of the chest, and should not turn out.
5. Hind-quarters should be powerful and muscular, the hind-legs should be rather longer than the forelegs, and should be well bent at the stifles.
6. Stern of moderate length and carried gaily, should be set on high.
7. Coat.—An extremely important point. It should be profuse, thick and harsh to the touch, with a dense undercoat. The coat may be wavy.
8. Colour.—Any recognised Hound colour.
9. Weight.—Dogs, from 40 to 50 lbs., bitches rather less.
The Rough Basset should appear a very powerful Hound for his size, on short, strong legs. Body massive and a good length, without slackness of loin. The feet should be thick, well padded and not open. The expression should be kindly and intelligent. Any unsoundness should disqualify the Hound.
SECTION E
Fox Terriers
CHAPTER XII
Smooth-coated
Wire-haired
Club Rules