Overview
The Basset Artésien Normand is a short-legged French hound with a long head, distinctive long ears and a fawn-and-white or tricolour coat. It was bred to hunt rabbits and other small game, alone or in a pack, with the hunter following on foot.
Today it is mainly kept as a pet, valued for its calm and good-natured temperament.
History
This breed and the Basset Hound share short-legged hounds of northern France in the early nineteenth century. French breeders kept their dogs lighter-boned and focused on hunting ability, while English breeders developed a heavier basset using Bloodhounds.
Recording as a pure breed began in 1870, with a straight-legged Artois strain and a crooked-legged Normand strain. The club was formed in 1910, and the present name dates from 1924.
Appearance
A low, long dog about 30 to 36 cm tall, with a body length about eight fifths of its height, and a weight of roughly 17 kg. The coat is short, in fawn and white or tricolour with a black blanket across the back.
The head and long ears are distinctive.
Temperament
Calm, gentle and good-natured, it gets on well with family and other dogs. Like other scenthounds it follows scent with determination and can be independent.
It has a hound voice and enjoys company.
Care and exercise
It needs regular walks, ideally with sniffing time, and a secure fence or lead because its nose may lead it astray. Training works best with patience and rewards.
The short coat needs only occasional brushing. Check and clean the ears, and keep it from becoming overweight.
