Basset Fauve de Bretagne | Dog Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

Basset Fauve de Bretagne or Fawn Brittany Basset is one of the six officially recognized Basset breeds, and one of five, whose origin is entirely French. These dogs are instantly recognizable due to their inherent characteristics. Namely: animals have short stature, short limbs, a wiry coat, which has a deer color.

The Basset Fauves de Bretagne is named after its coat color. Until recently, representatives of this species were on the verge of extinction. Now, the livestock is gradually increasing in number, becoming more and more popular in France, thanks to its hunting abilities, as well as the pleasant disposition of the companion.

[foogallery id=”43870″]

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a medium-sized dog with a coarse coat and a typical Basset body shape. Although its size is not as small as that of a basset hound: 32-38 cm in an adult dog. An adult dog weighs about 16-18 kg.

• The muzzle is of medium length, with a slightly curved nose bridge. It is not perfectly rectangular; it shrinks a bit. The transition from muzzle to forehead is moderate. The breed’s upper lips hang over the lower lips, giving it a square, but unadorned look. The mustache is slightly marked. The jaws are strong, with well-developed teeth that are set in a scissor bite.
• The nose is black or very dark brown. The nostrils are wide open.
• The eyes of the breed are set on the skull not too deep and do not stick out, the conjunctiva is not visible. They are slightly oval in shape and should be dark brown or hazelnut in color. The expression of Basset Fauve de Bretagne is lively and slightly pleading.
• The ears are droopy, but they are shorter than those of many long-eared dogs. Put flush with the orbits. When fired, they hit the nose. If the dog is alert, it is directed forward. The cartilage is thin and slightly bent. The ears are covered with finer, darker and softer hair than on the body.
• The neck is rather short and well muscled.
• The body of the Basset Fauve de Bretagne is strong and well-muscled, as the dog is a hunting breed. The chest is wide and deep. The croup is prominent, the loin is strong. The ribs are well rounded. The lower abdomen is slightly pulled back.
• The tail is shorter than that of most basset hounds. It is thick at the base and then tapers. The dog generally carries it upright, like a sword.
• The skin is quite thick, elastic, should not form wrinkles, possibly except for the area around the neck.
• The forelimbs are straight; although a slight curvature may be acceptable. They have strong pasterns and slightly sloping shoulders.
• Hindquarters – Balanced, parallel, neither tight nor wide. The thighs are long and muscular.
• Feet – Nails short and well padded and firm. They must not face either inwards or outwards.

Representatives of the breed are famous for their cheerful disposition and affectionate displays with people. Some experts even describe these animals as very joyful. Basset Fauves de Bretagne, as a rule, is very fond of its owner.

Most of the Basset Fauve de Bretagnes will warmly welcome strangers. They treat children with tenderness and love. Such pets adapt much better to the role of companion animal than most hunting working breeds. With the right training and stimulation, these dogs can make great companions.

If you are looking for a new dog and you already have other companion dogs in your home, the Basset Fauves de Bretagne can be a very good choice. However, whenever a new animal is introduced along with existing adult pets, it must be done carefully and under vigilant supervision.

As with many hunting hounds, the breed has dominant behaviors. The “dominant” individuals are sometimes capable of infringing too much on the rights of other canines, although this, as a rule, weakens after the establishment of social hierarchies.

Basset Fauves de Bretagne is not ideal for keeping with other non-canine animals. This breed was selected as a fairly skilled hunter. Representatives of this species have a natural instinct for catching prey. This does not mean that Basset Fauve de Bretagne cannot learn to communicate with cats or other small animals. But, in such a situation, the pet needs careful education and proper socialization in relations with other animals. Moreover, such training begins from the earliest age of the dog. This also means that you may not want to have this breed if you have other animals in your household. Keep in mind that if your Basset Fauves de Bretagne is not interested in a cat that lives with him under the same roof, this does not mean that he will not chase the neighbour’s “moores”.

Basset Fauve de Bretagne has a fairly healthy body. Until recently, they were only hunting working dogs. An individual with genetic defects is useless as a working dog and has been completely excluded from hunting pedigrees. On average, these dogs live from twelve to fourteen years, which is relatively long for their size. Most lovers of the breed claim that they do not have the congenital health defects that are often found in various canine species. This does not mean that the breed is immune to diseases, it is just that there are few individuals susceptible to flaws.

Research by the British Kennel Club showed that the most common causes of death for Basset Fauve de Bretagnes were road accidents, cancer, heart and kidney problems. The frequency of road traffic accidents is likely a consequence of the breed’s tendency to follow the detected odor, sometimes not noticing what is happening around them.

The coat of these dogs does not require much effort and time. The breed needs regular brushing, which must be constantly maintained. The “hair” must also be cut (plucked) at least twice a year.

Eyes and claws should be treated as needed, but hanging ears should be lifted and examined periodically – animals may have a predisposition to inflamed auricles.

However, these bassets do not like water procedures. It is recommended to wash them as needed, but preferably no more than once a year.

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a truly old French hound dating back to the 1500s, when François I had a pack of Breton dogs that he hunted regularly. These dogs were the Grand Fauve de Bretagnes, which sadly became extinct, but their DNA continues to follow the lines of today’s rugged griffins and Basset hounds like the Basset Fauve. The Grand Fauve de Bretagnes (fawn from Brittany) was larger (27.5-29.5 inches) and was introduced to the French court around 1520 by Admiral d’Annebuld. In the pack owned by François I, there was a male named Mirro, who was widely used by the royal family.

Until the French Revolution, only the aristocracy were allowed to keep dogs and hunt with them on horseback. In 1789, aristocratic privileges were abolished and anyone could own and hunt a dog. Most of the peasants, however, did not have a horse, so a shorter-legged hunter who was closer to the ground was required. Thus, Basset was developed. How the Basset breed was formed is a matter of controversy, but most likely from the smallest to the smallest over a long period of time.

By the 19th century, dog packs consisted exclusively of Basset hunters for hunting rabbits, hares, foxes, roe deer and wild boars. Although it was rumored that both the Grands and the Bassets were nearly extinct during World War II, this was confirmed by leading French expert on fauve, Madame. F. Corbeau of the French Club du Fauves de Bretagne, that the breed remains popular with French hunters.

The breed continues to be a popular versatile hunting dog and family dog ​​in France, gaining popularity in the United States and having breed clubs in many countries.