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- General Appearance
- The Basset Hound possesses in marked degree those characteristics
which equip it admirably to follow a trail over and through rough
terrain. It is a short-legged dog, heavier in bone, size considered,
than any other breed, and while its movement is deliberate, it is in no
sense clumsy. In temperment it is mild, never sharp or timid
- Head
- The head is large and well proportioned. It's length from occiput to
muzzle is greater than the width at the brow. In overall appearance
the head is of medium width
- Skull
- The skull is well domed , showing a pronounced occiputal 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 and falling in distinct wrinkles over the brow when
the head is lowered. A dry head and tight skin are faults.
- Muzzle
- The muzzle is deep, heavy, and free from snipiness.
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- Nose
- The nose is darkly pigmented, preferrably black, with large wide-open nostrils.
A deep liver colored nose conforming to the coloring of the head is permissible
but not desireable.
- Teeth
- 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.
- Lips
- The lips are darkly pigmented and are pendulous, falling squarely in front and,
toward the back, in loose hanging flews.
- Dewlap
- The dewlap is very pronounced.
- Neck
- The neck is powerful, of good length, and well arched.
- Eyes
- The eyes are soft, sad, and slightly sunken, showing a prominent haw, and in color
are brown, dark brown preferred. A somewhat lighter-colored eye conforming to the general
coloring of the dog is acceptable but not desirable. Very light or protruding eyes
are faults.
- Ears
- 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 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.
- Chest
- The chest is deep and full with prominent 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 movement when working in the field, is not to be more than one-third the total
height at the withers of an adult Basset.
- Shoulders
- The shoulders are well laid back and powerful. Steepness in shoulder, fiddle fronts,
and elbows that are out, are serious faults.
- Forelegs
- The forelegs are short, powerful, heavy in bone, with wrinkled skin. Knuckling
over of the front legs is a disqualification.
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- Paw
- The paw is massive, very heavy with tough heavy pads, well rounded and with both
feet inclined equally a trifle outward, balancing the width of the shoulders.
Feet down at the pastern are a serious fault.
- Toes
- The toes are neither pinched together nor splayed, with the weight of the forepart
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 tendency
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 relation
to the over-all 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
underside 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 manner. 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. Distinctly long coat.
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