Plate 008 · Continental Europe
Basset Hound
巴吉度猎犬
“A low-slung French tracker built to be followed on foot.”
- Origin
- France · United Kingdom
- France, later developed in Britain
- Country of origin
- 'Bas' means 'low' in French. The modern breed was largely shaped by British breeders from French imports in the 19th century.
- The point is a reference position in the country of origin.
- Era
- French short-legged hounds from at least the 16th century; modern breed 19th century
- Today
- Companion · Scent tracking
Under editorial review — sources listed below.
Then → Now
Then · 1890A Basset Hound, spelled 'Bassett Hound', on an 1890 card from the Dogs of the World series issued by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes.
Unknown artist · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
NowPohled 111 · CC BY-SA · Wikimedia Commons
History
01 · Origin
France, later developed in Britain
Descended from short-legged French hounds whose name comes from 'bas', meaning low.
02 · Historical role
What it was bred for
Trailed rabbits and hares slowly and steadily by scent, so hunters could follow on foot.
03 · Breed development
How it changed
French bassets were imported into Britain in the 19th century, where breeders developed a heavier dog. The breed later became a familiar companion in the United States.
04 · Today
Companion · Scent tracking
A mellow, sociable companion with a famously powerful nose.
Personality
- Easygoing
- Friendly
- Patient
- Stubborn
- Vocal tendency
General breed tendencies, not guarantees — individual dogs vary with genetics, training and environment. Ratings: this atlas’s editorial summary on a 1–5 scale, for rough comparison between breeds here — not a measurement or a standardised assessment.
- Size
- Medium
- Lifespan
- 12–13 years
- Coat
- Short, smooth, dense coat
Field note
The Basset's long ears are said to help stir up ground scent.
Recognition & today
- AKC
- Hound Group
- Also recognized by
- FCI, The Kennel Club (UK)
- Popular in
- United States
A familiar companion breed in the United States.
Sources2 references
- Basset Hound — breed information — American Kennel Club
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/basset-hound/
Registry · accessed 2026-10-07 · Registry status and AKC group; AKC recognition 1885 per AKC "Breeds by Year Recognized". Used as a registry reference only.
- Basset Hound (encyclopedia overview) — Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basset_Hound
Encyclopedia · accessed 2026-10-07 · Secondary overview; cross-check claims against primary breed-club sources.
Text is written by World Breeds from the references above; it does not reproduce registry descriptions. Location note: 'Bas' means 'low' in French. The modern breed was largely shaped by British breeders from French imports in the 19th century.
