The Basset Hound is a dog easily recognized due to its long, low body. The Basset Hound’s short legs and long ears accentuate its solid body. On Disney’s “The Fox and the Hound,” the hound was Copper, a Basset Hound, being trained to hunt by an older hunting dog.

The Basset Hound originated in France. Its purpose was to trail small game, for hunters to follow on foot. While Napoleon was in power, this was a very popular breed. In 1880, Basset Hounds were kept in the royal kennels of Queen Alexandra. It was the Marquis de Lafayette who brought the breed over as a present for President George Washington, for his hunting trips.

Basset Hounds are excellent and obedient hunters, but are also good at tracking and field trialing. Capable of hunting in packs, the basset hound can follow a scent to track its quarry. Ironically, for a hunting dog, the Basset Hound has a gentle, sweet disposition.

Basset Hounds come in many different colors, most often white, tan, and black. But brown, red and other colors are also possible with this breed. Its gentleness and obedience make this breed a great family dog.

The Basset Hound has a larger bone structure, proportionately, than any other dog. Most small dogs have smaller bones and even big dogs have bone structures more fitting for their size. But this gives the Basset Hound the power and capability to track over difficult terrain.