Basset Hound Breed Magazine - Showsight

basset hound Q&A WITH JOAN GOLDSTEIN, CELESTE GONZALEZ, SYLVIE MCGEE, RICHARD NANCE, ROBERT OPEKA, HAL PYBUS, JOANE RUSH, SUE NELSON SMYTH, CLAIRE “KITTY” STEIDEL AND DOUGLAS C. TAYLOR

wrap-around front 5) movement that is smooth, powerful and effortless. SM: 1) Movement: this is a working, hunting breed and with- out easy movement will both be challenged in the field by obstacles and uneven ground and will tire too soon. 2) Balance: this really ties to movement, as without it, movement will be choppy, inefficient and tiring for the dog. 3) A soft expression. I love to look into the eyes of my Bassets! RO: My must have traits are level toplines, sternum, proper shoulder angle and placement, along with a wonderful temperament. RN: I want to see a level topline, correct front assembly and proper reach and drive. HP: Proper front structure, correct hound coat with some looseness and elasticity, fluid movement, level top line, gentle, determined and a good voice. JR: Proper wrap around front with well-placed shoulders. A balanced dog that is capable of moving with the least effort and covering ground with no clumsiness. This is a dog built for endurance. The Basset is not a head breed, therefore, movement is critical. One can see the proper wrap front on the down and back, including short upper arms, leading to choppy movement. SNS: Deep muzzle; draped, low set ears; a well arched neck flowing into well laid back, powerful shoulders; a prominent sternum; correct wrap around front construc- tion; length and depth of keel; level backline including length of rib; well-developed second thigh; floating, effortless reach and drive. CKS: Proper character first, balanced angles between front and rear, soundness of mind and body, absolute fitness with movement deliberate and in no sense clumsy (from standard) and that doleful expression. DCT: A breed specific silhouette, level topline, good size (to get the job done), strong chest and crook of leg and pleasing, Houndy head. 3. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? JG: No, there are not. CG: Yes. Excessive substance, overly low-stationed dogs and excessive skin. There can be too much of a good thing. The breed has to have sufficient ground clearance to be able to hunt for many hours at a time for several days each week. The breed standard states that, “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 be more than one-third the total height at the withers of an adult Basset.” Not only is this in keeping with the achondro- plastic proportions of the breed, it also allows for a variety styles that still remain functional. As breeders, our mission is to follow the breed standard, preserve the breed as effective scent hunters and present only those dogs which are truly exemplary. As judges, our mission is to reward those Bassets which most closely exemplify the breed standard and are athletic enough to last for many hours in the hunt.

SM: As with any breed, I think we go in cycles. Right now, my perception is that breeders are seeking to overcome loss of bone and substance in the breed. As a result, they are bringing dogs into breeding programs from blood- lines that can offer that greater substance. However, I fear that in some cases, it may be leading to some dogs becoming over-done and, in some cases, plodding. RN: It’s not a trait that being exaggerated, but I see more and more exhibitors racing around the ring with their Bassets. Speed doesn’t mean the dog has good reach and drive. Move the dog at a speed that’s most comfortable for him. HP: I see dogs that are overdone, with too much loose skin. JR: The Bassets should not be so heavy with skin and bone that it becomes an 80-90 pound dog, nor lacking of bone and skin to appear almost dry. The Basset should be heavily boned, considering his size with adequate skin. SNS: The Basset hound is supposed to be heavier in bone, size considered, than any other breed of dog. However, having the heaviest dog in the ring lacking correct Basset hound skeletal construction will not produce the anticipated winning ribbons. Some Bassets being shown don’t have enough shoulder layback, are set too far forward and don’t demonstrate effortless reach and drive. Others are high in the rear lacking correct corresponding angles. The Basset Hound Club of America has a very informative DVD, pocket guide, a recently revised Illustrated Standard and three courses available to judges for free that demonstrate these concerns in spe- cific detail. Please go online to: www.Basset-bhca.org, click on “Education”, then click on “Basset Hound University”, then click on “Judges School”. CKS: Because the Basset, with his short legs, loose skin and long heavy body, exaggeration comes easily. The skin and wrinkle should not be superfluous, not supposed to be draped everywhere; the wrinkle should be evident in the brow when the head is lowered and in the front legs according to standard. Skin should be supple and give to avert puncture and serious wounds when in the field. Yet we see some breeders selecting for the most of everything—skin, bone and by the pound. Some judges actually put up the Basset by the pound just because he is different from straight-legged breeds they may know. They mistakenly think that is type. DCT: Some are getting too low, too floppy and too straight of front. 4. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? JG: Definitely better movement. I remember when they could barely get around the ring. CG: Yes and no. When I started exhibiting there was less exaggeration of breed type; however, rears and toplines left a bit to be desired. Fronts were all over the place then, as they are today. In general, breeders have greatly

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