THE BASSET HOUND 



FOR some inexplicable reason this charming little hound 

 seems to be under a temporary eclipse. Why it should be 

 so I do not venture to explain, as there is so much to be 

 said in his favour. It is over thirty years since he was 

 imported into this country from France, and we have 

 probably better specimens here than can be found in his 

 native laud. Of the two varieties the smooth-coated is 

 much the more popular. 



HIS WORK 



In Great Britain, Bassets are used almost exclusively for 

 hare-hunting in packs, and rare good sport they afford to 

 the keen man who prefers seeing beautiful hound-work 

 without troubling too much about a kill at the end of it. 

 Splendid noses have these gay little fellows, and voices like 

 a Bloodhound's. How it heartens you to hear them in full 

 cry. They will drive rabbits out of the scrub, too, and I 

 have heard of a couple doing yeoman work in the thick 

 bush in Natal bringing small buck to the gun. 



HIS POINTS 



Head as nearly resembling that of a Bloodhound as 

 possible ; i.e. long and narrow, with heavy flews and 

 pronounced occiput ; ears set low, long, and hanging in 

 graceful folds ; heavy dewlap ; neck powerful ; chest deep ; 

 fore-legs very short, crooked, half-crooked, or straight ; 

 body long, with muscular quarters ; stifles well bent. 

 Colour black, tan, and white, lemon and white, or white 

 body, hare pied, and tan markings on head. The rough- 

 coated variety should carry a thick harsh coat. 



