Basset Hounds need to be trained to be comfortable stacking on the ground and be approached while there as well. TRAINING YOUR DOG It is not unusual to hear a comment ringside such as, “I just put him on a lead for the first time 10 minutes ago.” It should be no surprise then when that dog balks and is not happy to be in the show ring. Th is lack of training shows disre- spect for your dog, the other competitors and the judge. The Basset, when viewed from the side, front legs should be under the withers and rear pasterns perpendicular to the ground. When viewed from the front, feet should be matched. When viewed from the rear, the Basset’s hind legs should be parallel. Teach your dog to accept hands and submit to a bite check. Don’t expect perfection with a puppy or inexperienced dog. Build a good foundation. When stacking your Basset on the ground or the ramp be deliberate when placing the legs and do it correctly the first time. One key to a good stack is having control of your dog’s head. One of the most common mistakes made is allowing the head to move out of posi- tion while you are stacking the dog. Often, when the dog’s head position changes, it will move its feet when you reset the position of the head. Some Bassets are flexible in the way they work and can be stacked both ways. See which works best for your Basset. Unlike many straight legged breeds, Basset Hounds are generally hard stacked, not bait stacked. Bassets have been known to humble many a handler in the show ring with their antics. Some of us believe that at times, it is like stacking warm Jell-O. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sue Frischmann grew up in a family involved with breeding and showing Basset Hounds and Dobermans, as well as showing hunt- ers and jumpers. Th e family’s Basset Hounds were her pets. She showed horses throughout her childhood, including American Horse Show Association Horse of the Year, Riot Free and spent fifteen years as a professional horse trainer and coach. Sue began working with Claudia Orlandi’s Topsfield Bassets in 1996. As the permanent full-time Resident Handler and Kennel Manager. In addition to showing many of the Topsfield hounds, Sue oversees the breeding, conditioning, whelping and train- ing of the Topsfield litters.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE PROPER STACK PRESENTATION FOR EACH DOG. BELOW ARE EXAMPLES OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A POOR PRESENTATION OF A BASSET AND A CORRECT PRESENTATION OF THE SAME DOG.
Same bitch, same age stacked properly. Note the difference in the backline and bend of stifle.
18 month old bitch, rear pasterns need to be further back. Appears to have a poor backline and straight rear.
An average stack of a good dog.
This presentation demonstrates the virtues of this Basset Hound.
Posting front legs in front, rear pasterns are too far forward and a poor backline.
Same bitch, leaning forward into her stack revealing a level backline.
TRAINING TOOLS A grooming table is a good place to begin stack training your puppy or adult Basset Hound. When stacking your dog, do so in front of a mirror. You get instant feedback on how things are looking. Video footage gives you a third per- son perspective. It is important to know at what speed and head carriage your dog looks its best. What speed works best on your “down and back”? You might have one speed going away from the judge and yet another slight change of speed return- ing to the judge. Bassets are expected to be judged on a ramp in the breed and group ring. Th e ramp has been a big benefit to the presentation and judging of our breed. It is important to remember that
early age is risky. Basset conformation often changes dramatically as it matures. Re-evaluate your Basset as it matures to make sure you have an accurate assess- ment of its structure and movement. Show dogs must be in good health and physically fit. It is surprising to see many dogs appear in the ring that have bad tonsils, impacted anal glands, ear or eye infections and skin conditions. All of these things can have a negative e ff ect both on your dog’s performance as well as his well-being. It is unfair to expect a dog in poor condition to perform as well as a dog in top condition. Your Basset should be in prime condition, the cor- rect weight, nails short, immaculately groomed and well trained when brought to the show ring.
210 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J UNE 2015
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