distance from the deepest point of the chest to the ground should be no more than 1/3 the total height of an adult. FOREQUARTER ASSEMBLY Because the Basset is an achon- droplastic breed, we sometimes find structural problems that are not gener- ally seen in longer legged breeds with straight columns of support. The Basset has crook’d forelegs meaning curving foreleg to accommo- date the chest. Crook’d is not turned out feet, as is erroneously thought; this adaptation along with his heavy bone and large, well rounded front paws are features that gives him body sup- port, especially to the forequarters. The chest falls below the elbow. Front feet should be matched, that is the feet will turn out a trifle and balance with the width of a proper shoulder, neither wide nor narrow. A prominent sternum is a hallmark of the breed. Short neck, lack of forechest, a short upper arm all suggests an ill-fitting and for- ward assembly. Proper shoulder length
correct movement, the Basset could not perform as originally intended. Move- ment is deliberate, in no sense clumsy. There should be good reach and drive, powerful and effortless; with backline level. Going away, the Basset hind legs should move true, and coming back the front legs should show support and good depth of chest. That wrap around front allows the legs to support the body by coming in under the dog. Bassets converge toward their center of gravity but do not single track. The down and back is important. Some believe movement is not important because of the Basset’s unique structure. However it is due to his unusual proportions, to be function- al, that could not be further from the truth. The Basset should be penalized (to the extent of degree of departure) for the same movement faults common- ly found in other breeds. HEAD Th e head is large, exhibiting a well- domed skull with a deep muzzle and
and matching length of upper arm, with elbows lying close to the chest are mandatory in this hunting breed. The shoulder angle in the Basset should be approximately 90 degrees, with the upper arm and shoulder blade of equal length. Good shoulders, if pres- ent, should be rewarded; they are very hard to breed. HINDQUARTERS Rear angulation should also be 90 degrees with well-let-down stifles. Cow hocks and bowed rears are considered The Basset Hound ribcage should be long and smooth; the breed’s length is in his ribcage not his loin. The poste- rior sternum should extend beyond the forelegs by about four inches. Flanged (flared, as in a flip hairdo) ribs are faulty. MOVEMENT Movement is a good indicator of the overall conformation. Without the serious faults. RIBCAGE
“SOME BELIEVE MOVEMENT IS NOT IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF THE BASSET’S UNIQUE STRUCTURE. HOWEVER IT IS DUE TO HIS UNUSUAL PROPORTIONS, TO BE FUNCTIONAL, THAT COULD NOT BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.”
246 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , O CTOBER 2018
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