Basset Fauve De Bretagne
Hounds

Group:

Hound

Size:

medium

Lifespan:

11-14 years

Exercise:

medium

Grooming:

medium

Trainability:

medium

Watchdog ability:

high

Protection ability:

very low

Area of Origin:

France

Date of Origin:

1800’s

Other Names:

Fawn Brittany Basset, BFB

Original Function:

Small game hunter

History

The breed was developed in France as a hunting dog by crossing the larger Grand Fauve de Bretagne, a breed that is now extinct and low legged hounds from the Vendee.. The earlier versions of the breed probably looked more like terriers than what we know today. The Basset Fauve de Bretagne was close to extinction after the second world war, but the breed was recreated using the remaining examples of the breed and crossing in Petite Bassets Griffons Vendeen and standard wirehaired Dachshunds. This hound is used for hunting small wild game, but today more so as a family pet. They are still kept in packs in France for hunting rabbits and the French Basset Fauve de Bretagne Club motto is: "Chasse d'abord" - Hunting First.

Temperament

This breed cheerful with something of a mind of its own. It is intelligent, friendly, brave, and active with a good scenting nose. They get along well with children and other dogs and animals. In common with most other dogs, it needs to be introduced when young to cats and other household pets. This is a hunting breed and pet rabbits should be supervised while in the vicinity of this hound. The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a hound through and through which means it will need to be taught to come when called as its nose will often lead it astray.

UpkeepThis breed is well-suited to family life, and a good walk on a leash or a vigorous romp in the yard will meet its exercise requirements. It can sleep outdoors in temperate climates, given adequate shelter, but it is happiest when dividing its time between house and yard. The coat needs weekly combing and brushing and the occasional tidying of straggling hairs. They moult twice a year and the old coat should be removed with a daily combing by a steel comb.

Official Breed Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Short-legged, wire coated hound of moderate length.

CHARACTERISTICS
Courage, resistance to the elements, possessing good nose.  Very nimble in movement.

TEMPERAMENT
Lively, friendly and amenable. 

HEAD AND SKULL
Foreface of medium length, slightly aquiline.  Occipital point well defined.  Nose black or very dark.  Nostrils wide open.

EYES
Dark, hazel, no haw apparent.

EARS
Set on level with eye.  Just reaching to nose when drawn forward.  Ending in a point and pleated at root.  Covered with finer, darker and softer hair than body. 

MOUTH
Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.  Level bite tolerated but undesirable.

NECK
Rather short, muscular.

FOREQUARTERS
Forelegs straight or slightly crooked.  Strongly boned with slightly sloping pasterns.  Shoulders slightly sloping.

BODY:
Chest wide and deep.  Sternum prominent.  Ribs slightly barreled, carried well back.  Level topline. 

HINDQUARTERS
Loins wide and well supported.  Strong quarters.  Hocks strong, metatarsals slightly bent.

FEET
Tight, pads firm and hard.  Turning neither in nor out.

TAIL
Set on high, thick at the base, tapering to a point.  Carried like a scimitar when moving.

GAIT/MOVEMENT
Quick, striding out well.  Hocks turning neither in nor out.

COAT
Very harsh, dense and flat.  Never long or woolly.

COLOUR
Red-wheaten or fawn.  White markings on chest or neck discouraged. 

SIZE
Ideal height: 32-38 cm (12.8-15.2 ins) at withers 

FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. 

NB:
Male animals must have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.