THE STANDARD WITH FAULTS UNDERLINED General Appearance
far back on the head at the base of the skull and, in repose, appear to be set on the neck. A high set or flat ear is a serious fault. Forequarters The chest is deep and full with prom- inent sternum showing clearly in front of the legs. The shoulders and elbows are set close against the sides of the chest. The distance from the deepest point of the chest to the ground, while it must be adequate to allow free move- ment when working in the field, is not to be more than ⅓ the total height at the withers of an adult Basset. The shoul- ders are well laid back and powerful. Steepness in shoulder, fiddle fronts, and elbows that are out are serious faults. The forelegs are short, powerful, heavy in bone, with wrinkled skin. Knuckling over of the front legs is a disqualifica- tion. The paw is massive, heavy with tough pads, well rounded and both feet inclined equally a trifle outward, bal- ancing the width of the shoulders. Feet down at the pastern are a serious fault. The toes are neither pinched together nor splayed, with the weight of the fore- part of the body borne evenly on each. The dewclaws may be removed. Body The rib structure is long, smooth, and extends well back. The ribs are well sprung, allowing adequate room for heart and lungs. Flatsidedness and flanged ribs are faults. The topline is straight, level and free from any ten- dency to sag or roach, which are faults. Hindquarters The hindquarters are very full and well rounded and are approximately equal to the shoulders in width. They must not appear slack or light in rela- tion to the overall depth of the body. The dog stands firmly on its hind legs showing a well-let-down stifle with no tendency toward a crouching stance. Viewed from behind, the hind legs are parallel, with the hocks turning neither in nor out. Cowhocks or bowed legs are serious faults. The hind feet point straight ahead. Steep, poorly angulated hindquarters are a serious fault. The dewclaws, if any, may be removed. Tail The tail is not to be docked, and is set in continuation of the spine with
but slight curvature and carried gaily in hound fashion. The hair on the under- side of the tail is coarse. Size The height should not exceed 14 inches. Height over 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulder blade is a disqualification. Gait The Basset Hound moves in a smooth, powerful and effortless man- ner. Being a scenting dog with short legs, it holds its nose low to the ground. Its gait is absolutely true with perfect coordination between the front and hind legs and it moves in a straight line with hind feet following in line with the front feet, the hocks well bent with no stiffness of action. The front legs do not paddle, weave or overlap and the elbows must lie close to the body. Going away, the hind legs are parallel. Coat The coat is hard, smooth and short with sufficient density to be of use in all weather. The skin is loose and elastic. A distinctly long coat is a disqualification. Color Any recognized hound color is acceptable and the distribution of color and markings is of no importance. Disqualifications Height of more than 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulder blade. Knuckled over front legs and distinctly long coat. PARTS OF THE BASSET HOUND WITH DEFINITIONS FROM THE BREED STANDARD Description not in italics describe what the AKC Breed Standard calls for regarding that specific part or feature in the Basset Hound. Definitions in itali- cized type are from Gilbert and Brown (2001). K-9 Structure and Terminol- ogy. New York: Howell 1. HEAD —Large, well proportioned, medium width; covered with loose skin. 2. NECK— Powerful; good length; well arched. 3. OCCIPUT (High point of the back of the head) —Pronounced.
The Basset Hound possesses in marked degree those characteristics which equip it admirably to follow a trail over and through difficult terrain. It is a short-legged dog, heavier in bone, size considered, than any other breed of dog and while its movement is deliber- ate, it is in no sense clumsy. In tempera- ment it is mild, never sharp or timid. It is capable of great endurance in the field and is extreme in its devotion. Head The head is large and well pro- portioned. Its length from occiput to muzzle is greater than the width at the brow. In overall appearance the head is of medium width. The skull is well domed, showing a pronounced occipital protuberance. A broad flat skull is a fault. The length from nose to stop is approximately the length from stop to occiput. The sides are flat and free from cheek bumps. Viewed in profile the top lines of the muzzle and skull are straight and lie in parallel planes, with a moderately defined stop. The skin over the whole of the head is loose, falling in distinct wrinkles over the brow when the head is lowered. A dry head and tight skin are faults. The muzzle is deep, heavy and free from snipiness. The nose is darkly pigmented, preferably black, with large wide-open nostrils. A deep liver-colored nose conforming to the coloring of the head is permissible but not desirable. The teeth are large, sound and regular, meeting in either a scissors or an even bite. A bite either overshot or undershot is a serious fault. The lips are darkly pig- mented and pendulous, falling squarely in front and toward the back, in loose hanging flews. The dewlap is very pronounced. The neck is powerful, of good length and well arched. The eyes are soft, sad and slightly sunken, show- ing a prominent haw and in color are brown, dark brown preferred. A some- what lighter-colored eye conforming to the general coloring of the dog is acceptable but not desirable. Very light or protruding eyes are faults. The ears are extremely long, low set and when drawn forward, fold well over the end of the nose. They are velvety in texture, hanging in loose folds with the ends curling slightly inward. They are set
216 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , O CTOBER 2017
Powered by FlippingBook