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.
