336 



THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



very nearly down to the chest. The chest is more expansive in the Basset than even in the 

 Bulldog, and should in the Bassets d jainbes torses be not more than two inches from the 

 ground. In the case of the Basset a jambcs demi-torses and jainbes droites, being generally 

 lighter, their chests do not, of course, come so low. 



"The shoulders are of great power, and terminate in the crooked feet of the Basset, which 

 appear to be a mass of joints. The back and ribs are strong, and the former of great length. 

 The stern is gaily carried like that of hounds in general, and when the hound is on the 

 scent of game this portion of his body gets extremely animated, and tell me, in my own 

 hounds, when they have struck a fresh or cold scent, and I even know when the foremost 

 hound will give tongue. 



" The hind-quarters are very strong and muscular, the muscles standing rigidly out down to 

 the hocks. 



BASSET A JAMBES TORSES. 



"The skin is soft in the smooth-haired dogs, and like that of any other hound, but in the 

 rough variety it is identical with that of the Otter-hound's. 



" Colour, of course, is a matter of fancy, although I infinitely prefer the ' tricolour,' which 

 has a tan head and black-and-white body. 



" The Griffons generally are like the Otter-hounds in colouring. 



" As to points, in a breed like this it is impossible, unless one had a class for every division. 

 I hope, however, to see at the Kennel Show a class for the Basset Griffon, as well as for those 

 of the poll ras. 



" Bassets are used for tracking boar, wolves, deer, and turning them out of the woods and 

 copses. They are likewise used for pheasant and general sporting purposes, where game is 

 scarce. To use them in this country would be impossible, but I have done so in Scotland on 

 the hill-sides, where avenues had been cut in the bracken, and very good sport was the result. 

 Their affection is wonderful to their owner, but strangers they dislike. Their memory is won- 

 derful. When at Lowestoft a friend, who lived in the next house, pushed my old dog from 

 the door-step one day, to come in. Model deeply resented this, and never would allow 'that 

 friend ' in without growling, and turning up his bristles like a clothes-brush. 



