improved rears so that the legs move in parallel under the points of the buttocks (the ischial protuberances). Consequently, there has been an improvement in rear angulation, especially second thigh (tibia and fibula) length and angle. Toplines have gotten stronger and more level and feet are tighter and rounder. The breed as a whole still struggles with incorrect front assemblies: incorrect shoulder layback (blade/scapula) and lay on to the ribcage; incorrect return and length of upper arm (humerus); lack of proper wrap-around fronts—begin- ning with the humerus following the curvature of the ribcage and extending to the forearm (ulna and radius) that curves medially (toward the midline) so that the wrists (pasterns) are closer together than the elbows; mismatched fronts (forearms are not equally curved medially and/or pasterns are both not equally inclined a trifle outwards) and lack of prominent sternum. SM: I have only been judging a few years, so I think I’m probably not the best source on this question! But looking over the years I’ve been in Bassets, I think each period of time has a few stand out dogs, the ones we will be talking about and remembering for many years because of their quality, presence and embodiment of the breed and each period also has some dogs that are solid, good and contribute to bloodlines we can recognize and value. The specifics in each time frame may vary as breeders adjust their programs and balance out what they are getting in the whelping box, but I don’t think overall the breed is better or worse. RO: I don’t see the quality in the ring that there once was. Our breeders are dwindling, that could be part of it. While exhibiting and judging, I see many mediocre speci- mens. This, I’m sure, is the result of mediocre being bred to mediocre, which usually equals the same. RN: I do not think they are better now. Our breed has gone from 20th in popularity to 40th. The number of Bassets being shown are way, way down. We have lost many long time breeders and others who are not breeding any more, affecting the quantity and quality of our breed. HP: This is a difficult question to answer because there are some very nice dogs out there. But I would have to answer for the most part, no. Many years ago the number of bloodlines was relatively small and well established. As the numbers grew the gene pools were diluted and there became too much indiscriminate breeding, i.e. Breeding to the winning dog of the day without too much thought about what it was doing to the line or the breed. Breed- ing should have a purpose and a plan, knowing how to be tough when grading puppies, allowing only the best ones with the best traits to be shown and or bred. When I see and hear breeders saying all or most of the litter is show quality, I just shake my head because rarely would that be the case. So many today, do not have a good experienced and relatively unbiased mentor. I think a large number of owners and breeders do not get what the standard describes as correct structure. Education is important and people can learn but having a good eye and good instincts is something that, unfortunately, can- not be easily taught.
JR: I feel we need to improve our fronts, also many in the rings are too straight in rear angulation leading to saggy toplines and high in rear. SNS: There are Bassets being shown around the country today that are marvelous examples of the breed standard just as was the case many years ago. If you understand and apply the breed standard you will have no difficulty recognizing them. Years ago there were many large show/breeding kennels producing several litters a year from which to make show picks. Times have changed and many of today’s breeders produce a litter or two a year, if that. Fewer choices may make it difficult to cull those puppies better suited to pet homes and sometimes a breeding looks great on paper yet doesn’t produce the desired results. Changing times have had a positive and negative effect on numbers of quality dogs in the ring, however, it has also opened the door to great possibili- ties. Instead of being limited by distance to breed to locally available stud dogs today, breeders have the ability to breed to an excellent quality stud anywhere in the world utilizing both fresh chilled and frozen semen. They are also not limited in time. A stunning deceased special may have frozen sperm that remains available for the right outstanding bitch. This option is not inexpensive but has added new dimensions to breeding programs. CKS: Yes, in some cases. The dogs on the west coast have improved especially in the movement area since I moved to Arizona in 1984. They, for the most part, are not so exaggerated. I remember when many in the 80s had so much skin, with ectropion (eyelids rolling out) so much that debris collected and the result was infection. These dogs also had such skin deep folds in front legs, collecting dirt and moisture that many developed skin infection. At this same time on the East coast, many dogs had light bone. There were a few breeders both East and West who managed to get the balance of skin and bone correct and produce sound typey dogs. Their influence lives on both east and west today. Also, the easily acces- sible health information today has improved the breed. DCT: There seems to be more average Basset Hounds and
fewer outstanding ones. This may be due to the declining numbers of Basset litters and breeders.
5. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? JG: Proper front construction set well under the dog and the importance of correct, long, well sprung ribcages. In addition, fat doesn’t equal substance. CG: Bassets that look like watermelons on tree stumps are not correct in this breed. This is a hunting breed meant to scent trail small game, usually rabbits, for hours and hours. A dog that minces around the ring without proper build and movement is a dog that will not last in the hunt or over multiple hunting seasons. Pick the dog that’s properly built and displays it with smooth, power- ful and effortless movement. That’s the dog that is most likely going to efficiently bring the rabbit to gun so the hunter can later enjoy a meal. That dog must also display a proper temperament for the breed in order to be able to S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , O CTOBER 2018 • 257
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