The Basset Artésien Normand (''Norman Artesian Basset'') is a short legged

hound A hound is a type of hunting dog used by hunters to track or chase prey. Description Hounds can be contrasted with gun dogs that assist hunters by identifying prey and/or recovering shot quarry. The hound breeds were the first hunting dogs. ...

type Type may refer to: Science and technology Computing * Typing, producing text via a keyboard, typewriter, etc. * Data type, collection of values used for computations. * File type * TYPE (DOS command), a command to display contents of a file. * ...

dog developed in

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

. The word ''

basset Bassets are a sub-type of scenthound deliberately bred with short legs, that are used for hunting where the hunters accompany the hunting hounds on foot. History Bassets were originally developed in France from where they spread throughout Europe ...

'' refers to short-legged hounds.

History

The Basset Artésien Normand and the more familiar

Basset Hound The Basset Hound is a short-legged breed of scent hound. The Basset Hound was developed in Great Britain from several now-extinct strains of France, French basset breeds. It was bred primarily for hunting rabbit and hare on foot, moving slowly en ...

share a common ancestry in the short-legged hounds of northern France of the early 19th century that displayed osteochondrodysplasia dwarfism. But unlike the

, which was developed by English breeders in the late 19th century as a more substantial dog that was initially cross-bred with Bloodhounds, the Basset-type dogs that French breeders developed remained lighter-boned and more focused on hunting ability. Documenting of these French Bassets as a purebred breed began in 1870, and from a common ancestral type, two strains were developed. One had straight front legs (Basset d'Artois) and the other had crooked front legs (Normand). The breed club was formed in 1910 and the breed was given its present name in 1924. Bassets are walking hounds, which are followed by the hunter on foot. The short legs mean that they would not get too far away from the hunter. The Basset Artésien Normand was used to hunt rabbits and other small game alone or in packs, but today they are primarily bred to be pets.

Appearance

The height of the Basset Artésien Normand is between , with a ratio of the height to the body length of about 5 : 8. Weight is roughly . The coat is short and tricolored (fawn and white with black ''blanket'', a patch across the back) or bicolored (fawn and white). The head and long ears are distinctive, and the temperament should be calm and good-natured.

Recognition

The original breed club is the Club français du Basset Artésien Normand & du Chien d'Artois, and the breed is recognised by the

Fédération Cynologique Internationale The (; FCI; ) is the largest international federation of national kennel clubs and purebred registries. The FCI is based in Thuin, Belgium and has 98 members and contract partners (one from each country). History The FCI was founded in 1911 un ...

(FCI) as breed number 34 in Group 6, Scenthounds. The Basset Artésien Normand is one of six types of "

"-type breeds recognised by the FCI. It is also recognised by the

United Kennel Club The United Kennel Club (UKC) is a kennel club founded in 1898 in the United States. In contrast with the American Kennel Club, which is non-profit and which only clubs can join, the United Kennel Club is a profit-making corporation, open to indivi ...

(US) in the Scenthound Group.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Basset Artesien Normand FCI breeds Scent hounds Dog breeds originating in France

History

Appearance

Recognition

See also

References