The Proud Beginnings Of The Basset Hound In England
|
From the desk of Sharda Baker. Hi and Welcome Everyone! This is Sharda with Basset Hound’s history newsletter! Before we decide to get ourselves with this breed of dog, it’s fair enough to acquaint ourselves with their history, don’t you think? I’m sure you will agree that this will help us get to know them better. Let’s start! Often, breeders of Basset Dogs are faced with the question, “Is this a French or an English Basset?” Perplexed, they reply, “But there is nothing like a French Basset.” But, this is far from the truth as today, there are indeed several kinds of French Basset Hounds, though not all are fortunate enough to be officially recognized by The American Kennel Club and therefore are very seldom seen. |
|
The word Basset is French for “low-slung.” Two kinds of Basset Hounds are of importance to us while tracing the history of this breed—first, the Basset Artésien Normand, the direct and earliest ancestor of our own Basset Dog, and the Basset Bleu de Gascoigne, which people feel was interbred with the Artésien Normand before it reached British shores as far back as 1866.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE BASSET HOUND AND THE BASSET ARTESIEN NORMAND
At first glance, our present-day Basset Hound resembles the Basset Artésien Normand, but of course, on close inspection, you will find several differences. For one, there’s a difference of size. Then, there’s a difference in weight.
While the traditional Basset Hound weighs between 20 kg and 32 kg, depending on the sex and bloodlines, the Basset Artésien Normand usually weighs about 30 kg-35 kg.
The Basset Hound also has a lot of extra skin and massive bones, unlike the Basset Artésien Normand who lacks both.
The Basset Hound’s head has a well-formed and distinct occiput, but the Basset Artésien Normand’s skull is pretty flat.
The Basset Hound’s ears are set pretty low, --below eye level--, but the Basset Artésien Normand’s ears are set quite high.
THE BASSET ARTESIEN NORMAND GOES TO ENGLAND
In the 1870s, the English first showed an interest in the Basset Artésien Normand when Lord Onslow and Mr. Everett Millais first imported specimens of this breed from France.
When Millais visited France in 1874, he attended a dog show at the Jardin d’Acclimatation where he would get an opportunity to see some French dachshunds and be able to compare them with his.
Since the show was benched, the dachshunds were seated next to a few Basset Artésien Normands, who Millais fancied.
Right then, he knew he must have one Basset Hound. It so happened that the two dogs he liked were from the kennel of Count le Couteulx de Canteleu and were named Fino de Paris and Model. He took home Model.
Today, these two dogs are remembered fondly because they stand at a very crucial juncture in the history of this breed, since all Basset Hounds are said to be their descendants.
Historical records tell us that the present-day Basset Dog breed was developed from inter- and selective breeding with the Basset Artésien Normand, though today, they are two distinctive breeds.
But genetics plays its own dominant role in both these breeds, so often the ancestor’s looks or particular mannerisms crop up in either breed from one generation to another, especially in poorly bred specimens such as pet-shop Basset Hounds, who still closely resemble the Basset Artésien Normand.
Hope you learned something today.
I’ll be back for more about Basset Hounds.
Until then, all the best, and take care.
Warmly,
