Basset Fauve De Bretagne

General Information - Basset Fauve De Bretagne

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History

The breed was developed in France as a hunting dog by crossing the larger Grand Fauve de Bretagne, a breed that is now extinct and low legged hounds from the Vendee. The earlier versions of the breed probably looked more like terriers than what we know today. The Basset Fauve de Bretagne was close to extinction after the second world war, but the breed was recreated using the remaining examples of the breed and crossing in Petite Bassets Griffons Vendeen and standard wirehaired Dachshunds. This hound is used for hunting small wild game, but today more so as a family pet. They are still kept in packs in France for hunting rabbits and the French Basset Fauve de Bretagne Club motto is: "Chasse d'abord" - Hunting First.

Temperament

This breed cheerful with something of a mind of its own. It is intelligent, friendly, brave, and active with a good scenting nose. They get along well with children and other dogs and animals. In common with most other dogs, it needs to be introduced when young to cats and other household pets. This is a hunting breed and pet rabbits should be supervised while in the vicinity of this hound. The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a hound through and through which means it will need to be taught to come when called as its nose will often lead it astray.

Upkeep

This breed is well-suited to family life, and a good walk on a leash or a vigorous romp in the yard will meet its exercise requirements. It can sleep outdoors in temperate climates, given adequate shelter, but it is happiest when dividing its time between house and yard. The coat needs weekly combing and brushing and the occasional tidying of straggling hairs. They moult twice a year and the old coat should be removed with a daily combing by a steel comb.

Basset Fauve De Bretagne

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Basset Fauve De Bretagne

 
General Appearance: Short:legged, wire coated hound of moderate length.

Characteristics: Courage, resistance to the elements, possessing good nose. Very nimble in movement.

Temperament: Lively, friendly and amenable.

Head and Skull: Foreface of medium length, slightly aquiline. Occipital point well defined. Nose black or very dark. Nostrils wide open.

Eyes: Dark, hazel, no haw apparent.

Ears: Set on level with eye. Just reaching to nose when drawn forward. Ending in a point and pleated at root. Covered with finer, darker and softer hair than body.

Mouth: Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite tolerated but undesirable.

Neck: Rather short, muscular.

Forequarters: Forelegs straight or slightly crooked. Strongly boned with slightly sloping pasterns. Shoulders slightly sloping.

Body: Chest wide and deep. Sternum prominent. Ribs slightly barrelled, carried well back. Level topline.

Hindquarters: Loins wide and well supported. Strong quarters. Hocks strong, metatarsals slightly bent.

Feet: Tight, pads firm and hard. Turning neither in nor out.

Tail: Set on high, thick at the base, tapering to a point. Carried like a scimitar when moving.

Gait/movement: Quick, striding out well. Hocks turning neither in nor out.

Coat: Very harsh, dense and flat. Never long or woolly.

Colour: Red:wheaten or fawn. White markings on chest or neck discouraged.

Size: Ideal height - 32:38 cm (12.8:15.2 ins) at withers.

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
FCI No 36
Copyright Dogs New Zealand
01 Mar 2006

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.