222 BRITISH DOGS 



that when one looks at the dog from behind, it gives him a round, barrel-like 

 effect. This, with their peculiar, waddling gait, goes a long way towards Basset 

 character a quality easily recognised by the judge, and as desirable as Terrier 

 character in a Terrier. 



6. The Stern is coarse underneath, and carried hound-fashion. 



7. The Coat is short, smooth, and fine, and has a gloss on it like that of a 

 racehorse. (To get this appearance, they should be hound-gloved, never 

 brushed.) Skin loose and elastic. 



8. The Colour should be black, white, and tan ; the head, shoulders, and 

 quarters a rich tan, and black patches on the back. They are also sometimes 

 hare-pied. 



POINTS OF THE BASSET-HOUND (ROUGH) 



VALUE. 

 Head and Ears ... 20 



Body, including Hindquarters 



Legs and Feet ... 



Coat ... 



"Basset Character," etc. 



35 

 20 



15 

 10 



Total ... ... ... 100 



GENERAL APPEARANCE 



1. The Head should be large, the skull narrow but of good length, the peak 

 well-developed. The muzzle should be strong, and the jaws long and powerful ; 

 a snipy muzzle and weakness of jaw are objectionable. The eyes should be dark 

 and not prominent. The ears should be set on low, of good length and fine 

 texture. 



2. The Neck should be strong, of good length and muscular, set on sloping 

 shoulders. 



3. The Body should be massive, of good length, and well ribbed up, any weak- 

 ness or slackness of loin being a bad fault. The chest should be large and very 

 deep, the sternum prominent. 



4. The Fore Legs should be short and very powerful, very heavy in bone, either 

 half crooked or nearly straight. The elbows should lie against the side of the 

 chest, and should not turn out. 



5. Hindquarters should be powerful and muscular ; the hind legs should be 

 rather longer than the fore legs, and should be well bent at the stifles. 



6. Stern. Of moderate length and carried gaily ; should be set on high. 



7. Coat. An extremely important point. It should be profuse, thick and 

 harsh to the touch, with a dense undercoat. The coat may be wavy. 



8. Colour. Any recognised hound colour. 



9. Weight. Dogs from 4olb. to 5olb., bitches rather less. 



The Rough Basset should appear a very powerful hound for 

 his size, on short, strong legs. Body massive and good length, 

 without slackness of loin. The feet should be thick, well padded, 

 and not open. The expression should be kindly and intelligent. 

 Any unsoundness should disqualify the hound. 



Of recent years an emphatic stand has been made against 

 unsoundness, and hounds that at one time would have won prizes 

 on account of their beautiful type would now be sent out of the 

 ring unnoticed. This is quite the right line to go upon, for the 



