Why is the AKC Standard for the Basset Hounds important to pet buyers and owners?

By Don Bullock

Lucy was a very lovable basset for Pam and I and Pam's parents. Anyone else, including my parents, made her run and hide. She was afraid of anyone other than the four of us which is uncharacteristic of a basset hound temperament as described below.

Forequarters - The chest is deep and full with prominent sternum showing clearly in front of the legs. The shoulders and elbows are set close against the sides of the chest. The distance from the deepest point of the chest to the ground, while it must be adequate to allow free movement when working in the field, is not to be more than one-third the total height at the withers of an adult Basset. The shoulders are well laid back and powerful. Steepness in shoulder, fiddle fronts, and elbows that are out, are serious faults. The forelegs are short, powerful, heavy in bone, with wrinkled skin. Knuckling over of the front legs is a disqualification. The paw is massive, very heavy with tough heavy pads, well rounded with both feet inclined equally a trifle outward, balancing the width of the shoulders. Feet down at the pastern are a serious fault. The toes are neither pinched together or splayed, with the weight of the forepart of the body borne evenly on each. The dewclaws may be removed.

In temperament it is mild, never sharp or timid...  is extreme in its devotion.

I could go on and on pointing out the features on our Lucy that don’t come close to the Standard for Basset Hounds, including flat ears, small paws, etc. The point is that she suffered much of her life from poor breeding because her breeder had no intention of breeding bassets to the Standard.

The AKC breed Standards are important for all dogs not just show dogs. Yes, the dogs we show should be outstanding examples of the breed according to the Standard. At shows we have them adjudicated by licensed AKC judges who judge them based on their interpretation of the Standard. The judges are judging our dogs just like they have done for well over a century as breeding stock for future generations. By breeding the best examples of their show dogs breeders perpetuate the Standard for the breed for future generations. Those of you who wish to have a pet or companion as a member of your family deserve a well bred basset hound too. There is no reason except for feeble excuses and perhaps money that all basset hounds aren’t bred to the Standard. It’s only through the efforts of those who breed our basset hounds based on the Standard that our breed continues to flourish. If we stop doing so then our precious breed that we love so much will soon disappear.

A lady contacted me asking if I could help her with a problem she had with her basset hound. The first thing that I did was ask her why she didn’t get help from the dog’s breeder. Her response was that the breeder didn’t return her calls. Since the breeder was an AKC Breeder she assumed that it was bred correctly and I, as an AKC Breeder, should help her with her problem. It turned out that her basset hound had extremely crippling issues with his structure. He needed some expensive surgery. The lady already knew that but wanted me to fix it. Obviously the so called breeder had no idea what they were doing or that there is even a Standard for the breed nor did they feel any responsibility for the dogs they bred. The so called breeder was only interested in the lady’s money. My initial response was to ask why she bought the dog from this particular breeder and all she responded that he came with AKC “papers” and she assumed he was from an "AKC Breeder." I did refer her to someone who told her what she should do about helping the dog too.

First of all there is no such thing as an "AKC Breeder." While the AKC does great things in support of all dogs they are a registry of pure bred dogs and  are not in the business of breeding. Just because a dog is registered with the AKC does not mean that they should be bred. All it means is that the dog’s ancestors are all registered as pure bred dogs with the AKC. In basset hounds the “stud book” of registered dogs and litters goes back to before the basset hounds were recognized by the AKC in 1885. That’s quite a book but it still has nothing to do with quality. Quality is determined by the AKC Standard for Basset Hounds which was created by the “parent club for basset hounds,” The Basset Hound Club of America, Inc. The combination of two basset hounds and those in their pedigrees plus how well their prodigy has done in the show ring as judged against the Standard for the breed is what determines the ultimate quality of a dog along with the health of the dogs involved. A prominent judge, Patricia Trotter, whom we see often at shows and has also awarded wins to some of our bassets is credited with the following statement, “Pedigree indicates what the animal should be. Conformation (as judged at shows) indicates what the animal appears to be. But performance (what they produce) indicates what the animal actually is." Those out for a quick buck on a litter of dogs don’t care about any of that. It’s up to each breeder to breed to the Standard not the AKC. All puppy buyers should not expect nor do they deserve less.

Breeders also need to be cognizant of the available gene pool they are using. Sometimes breeders in one area over use a particular dog or dogs and their gene pool is overwhelmed by the faults of those dogs as well as their good qualities. The importation of examples of a breed from other areas of our country or even other countries is very important to keeping a gene pool free of problems. While line breeding is sometimes a good idea doing too much of it can reproduce bad qualities as well as the good ones. This is where bringing in bassets from different parts of the United States and even other countries makes a difference in our local breeding programs. By adding them into our breeding programs in Southern California we are assuring that we’re not duplicating anything that might be inherent in basset hounds locally. Bringing in quality dogs from a totally different gene pool allows us to strengthen the breed in our area.

This is something that conscious breeders have been doing from the very beginning. That’s how the different breeds were created. The first basset hounds were imported to the United Kingdom from France. It was in the United Kingdom that the breed we know today developed.

The illustration, by Mr. C. B. Barber, of Mr. Millais's splendid specimen Model, was considered at the time to be an exact representation of that well-known dog, whose name will never cease to be associated with the introduction of the breed into England. Mr. Millais imported Model in 1874.

Model won the following prizes among others: Twice first Crystal Palace, first Brighton, second Alexandra Palace, second Agricultural Hall, and third Darlington. Such' performances, taking into consideration that he had to be shown in variety classes against dogs of all sorts of breeds, stamps Model as a remarkably successful competitor in the ring.

The next great impulse towards popularizing these hounds in the United Kingdom was, undoubtedly, the importation of specimens from the best French kennels, by "Wildfowler" and Mr. G. R. Krehl; to a remarkable extent by the latter's Fino de Paris, a hound of great beauty and of concentrated pedigree, whose blood runs in the majority of Bassets of the day.

Fino de Paris deserves a few words to himself, so potent has his influence been upon the breed.  Mr. Krehl showed excellent judgment in acquiring him in 1880.  Mr. Millais, who could have had him at an earlier date, believed him to be Model's brother, but he had the bloodhound type of head to which we have bred since, while Model's was more on the lines of a Foxhound's.

Now we may trace the foundation of the breed as it is today in Great Britain. The union of Model with Lord Onslow's Finette produced Garenne and Proctor.  The latter, put to Juno, a bitch imported by Lord Onslow, produced Cigarette, who became the dam of Medore by Champion Bourbon (Fino de Paris ex Guinevere). The alliance of Medore with Fino VI. (a son of Fino V. by Vivien, a granddaughter of Fino de Paris) resulted in the birth of Champions Forester, Fresco, Merlin, and Flora, all names of great moment in the Basset Hound world.

As can be easily seen by all this the development of our breed was very methodical and well thought out. It wasn’t haphazard as far too much breeding is today. Breeding specimens were selected carefully based on their qualities. The dogs that were bred were considered excellent examples of the breed.

Later on in the history of basset hounds in the United Kingdom there were further imports from France as well as the United States. Breeders in the United Kingdom were experiencing some things that they didn’t like in their dogs and brought in foreign examples to help get their breeding programs back on track.

At one point basset hounds almost disappeared in the United Kingdom, In fact the Basset Hound Club was disbanded because it was difficult to breed good examples of basset hounds. At that time those who wanted to continue the breed imported additional breeding stock to revive the breed.

For those who would like to go back in the history of Basset Hounds, George Johnston’s book The Basset Hound is excellent. This book talks about Basset Hounds in the United Kingdom (England) starting with the very first imports from France. Unfortunately this book is out of print. Used book sellers, including those who advertise through Amazon.com, are the only sources that I know for the book. I got my copy from a breeder/friend who lives in Switzerland.

I think perhaps the following long quote from British Dogs, Their Points, Selection and Show Preparation by William D. Drury in 1903 is important to understanding the early development of our breed. He has some great advise for puppy buyers too.

Of recent years an emphatic stand has been made against unsoundness, and hounds that at one time would have won prizes on account of their beautiful type would now be sent out of the ring unnoticed.  This is quite the right line to go upon, for the Basset is essentially a sporting hound, and every effort should be made to breed out unsound front legs or weak loins and quarters.



Though many people keep Bassets simply for show purposes or as pets, there is no reason why the working properties should occupy a secondary position in the esteem of the breeder. 



Indeed, the writer would almost prefer seeing a sporting breed become extinct than suffer the degradation of being propagated simply for so called "fancy" points.  We should try for a well-balanced hound, beautiful in head, with the pathetic expression which is so much of his charm, short legs, with feet beyond reproach, well-sprung ribs, and deep chest.

Why some people should wish for longer legs it is difficult to imagine.  The Basset was never meant for speed, and, rather than take away one of his chief characteristics, those who want a faster pack should take up Beagles instead.  The note of the little hound is deep and melodious. 



Mrs Tottie's Smooth Basset Hound Ch. Louis Le Beau.

As a rule, sensational figures are not paid for Bassets, and quite a little excitement was caused at Cruft's Show in 1900 when Mrs. Tottie claimed Mr. A. Croxton Smith's Wantage for the catalogue price of £150.  At an earlier day Mr. Krehl obtained a somewhat similar sum.

Bassets vary a good deal in disposition. Some make delightful companions, becoming much attached to master or mistress, while others display a stubbornness which requires considerable humoring. On the whole, it is mainly a question of early training. 
 

Smooth Basset Hound Ch. Xena bred by Mrs. C.C. Ellis.

In choosing a puppy, select one with plenty of bone and substance.  See that the ears are set on low and fold gracefully, instead of hanging flat to the side of the skull.

Beware, too, of those with very narrow heads they are likely to become snippy.  The skin should be loose and fine to the touch, and the eyes should be deep set and show some haw, as with the Bloodhound.

The legs should be clean at the shoulder, without any tendency to bow out : the writer prefers them wrinkled down to the feet, which should be large and clumsy-looking for the size of the puppy.

For those of you more interested in the more modern history of basset hounds I have two books that I highly recommend. Margaret Walton's The New Basset Hound is a general overview of the breed written by one of the real pioneers in bassets in the United States. She is well respected through out the world as a basset hound expert. Peg Walton began breeding bassets in the 1940s, and her Lyn Mar Acres kennel provided the foundation for many of the top basset bloodlines today. In fact some of her bassets helped revive the breed in the United Kingdom at one time.

BISS CH Lyn Mar Acres Ballyhoo

Bdr/Owner/Hdlr: Lynwood & Margaret Walton

Mrs. Walton's book contains many great photos of wonderful bassets from the past, and if the information is not in Peg's book, you don't need to know it. Peg was revered in our breed and has been sorely missed since she passed away in 2008. Just remember that some things may have changed somewhat since this book was published.

Col. Robert Booth's The Official Book of the Basset Hound is a great reference. The book is very helpful if you are researching a basset pedigree as it is richly illustrated with hundreds of photos of dogs from all of the top bloodlines. Although the book's tracking of bassets and bloodlines ends in 1996, many of the dogs in the book show up in the best pedigrees today.

Author, Bob Booth

Over the years the bred Standards do change. When national breed clubs and or the governing body such as the AKC notice problems that may be cropping up in a breed the issue is addressed and if necessary changes are made to the Standard. That recently happened in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately some of those changes were forced on the Kennel Club from outside political forces spurred on by animal extremists and the media. It seems today that politicians have an opinion on just about everything and feel it is necessary for them to get into things that they don’t understand. Today’s media thrives on controversy  and the animal extremists have capitalized on that in recent years. If some animal extremists have their way we will all be devoid of all our pets. That’s their goal.

All responsible breeders of today should strive with every breeding to make improvements on what we have. They should feel responsible for the bassets they breed and how well they match the Standard. That’s the art of breeding that so many forget. Far too many “breeders” today are too busy trying to win ribbons, make money or it’s not convenient for them to go out of their way to execute the best pairing possible. Breeding to the Standard using the best choices possible certainly should be the goal of responsible breeders. Convenience and money are not what drives their breeding programs. The AKC Standard for Basset Hounds and their love of the breed are the force behind all their breeding choices. Anyone who truly loves our breed should expect no less from ALL basset hound breeders.

The support that responsible breeders receive from those who purchase one of their puppies helps them continue doing what they do for the breed. Without that support the responsible breeders would be unable to show their dogs and do their part in breeding the best basset hounds that they can breed. Your support is greatly appreciated.

AKC BH Standard.pdf

I have seen far too many basset hounds with all kinds of issues that could have been prevented if the breeders had kept to the Standard. Knuckling over of a front leg is too common. Our Lucy had very deformed front legs. While Lucy was a purebred basset hound with AKC papers her front looked more like that of a bulldog than a basset hound. She’s an excellent example of a knuckled over front. Obviously her breeder didn’t have any idea about the Standard nor why she should should have followed it when breeding. Lucy certainly didn't match the following description of a basset hound.

Our Lucy - Notice how deformed she is in the front. It was very wide and both legs were knuckled over, especially the right front leg. She had a lot of difficulty running.

When a close friend came over one day we couldn't find Lucy. Finally after a desperate search she was found hiding among the stuffed dogs on our guest room bed.

Some breeders try to get away with their poor breeding practices by saying that their bassets are French Bassets. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read this or heard it from owners. A true French Basset would be bred to the FCI Standard for Basset Hounds and look a whole lot different than those claiming that they breed French Bassets. Our Lucy that we purchased from a pet store was an example of what many misrepresent as a French Basset. As Lucy matured she did not come close to looking like a purebred basset hound and her temperament was incorrect.