THE BASSET-HOUND 223 



Basset is essentially a sporting hound, and every effort should be 

 made to breed out unsound front legs or weak loins and quarters. 

 Though many people keep Bassets simply for show purposes or 

 as pets, there is no reason why the working properties should 

 occupy a secondary position in the esteem of the breeder. Indeed, 

 the writer would almost prefer seeing a sporting breed become 

 extinct than suffer the degradation of being propagated simply for so- 

 called " fancy " points. We should try for a well-balanced hound, 

 beautiful in head, with the pathetic expression which is so much of 

 his charm, short legs, with feet beyond reproach, well-sprung ribs, 

 and deep chest. Why some people should wish for longer legs it 



FIG. 53. MRS. TOTTIE'S SMOOTH BASSET-HOUND CHAMPION Louis LE BEAU. 



is difficult to imagine. The Basset was never meant for speed, and, 

 rather than take away one of his chief characteristics, those who 

 want a faster pack should take up Beagles instead. The note of 

 the little hound is deep and melodious. 



As with so many other varieties, persistent inbreeding for the 

 maintenance of type has resulted in a greater susceptibility to 

 distemper. In order to strengthen the constitution and also get 

 an increase in size, the late Sir Everett Millais made experiments 

 in the direction of a Bloodhound cross, and the results in the third 

 generation were certainly striking. For some reason or other, 

 however, breeders did not lend a ready favour to the idea, and 

 no one has followed it up. As a rule, sensational figures are not 

 paid for Bassets, and quite a little excitement was caused at Cruft's 



