Description: Basset Fauve De Bretagne
The Basset Fauve De Bretagne is a small scent hound breed originating from the Brittany region of France. Known for their cheerful and energetic personality, Basset Fauves are friendly, affectionate, and great companions for families. They are easily recognized by their short legs, compact bodies, and rough, fawn-colored coats. Originally bred for hunting small game such as rabbits and hares, these dogs possess a keen sense of smell and a strong prey drive. Despite their hunting background, Basset Fauves adapt well to home life and are usually good with children and other pets if socialized early. Their intelligence and outgoing disposition, paired with moderate grooming needs and exercise requirements, make them suitable for various homes, including those of first-time dog owners, provided they have patience for the dog’s independent streak.
Basset Fauve De Bretagne ratings
Properties
The Basset Fauve De Bretagne is a small French scent hound breed known for its friendly character, distinctive appearance, and impressive hunting abilities. This breed originated in Brittany, France, and was initially developed for tracking small game, such as rabbits and hare. The Basset Fauve De Bretagne stands out for its compact and sturdy build, usually reaching a shoulder height of 12 to 15 inches (30-38 cm) and weighing between 35 to 40 pounds (16-18 kg). Their dense, wiry coat is always fawn or reddish wheaten in color, offering protection in thick undergrowth.
The breed's general appearance is of a well-balanced, strong, and agile dog despite its short-legged stature. The Basset Fauve is characterized by a slightly domed skull, a pronounced stop, and a strong muzzle. Its expressive, dark brown eyes reflect intelligence and warmth, while long, drop ears contribute to its classic hound look. The body is slightly longer than high, with strong, short limbs that provide excellent endurance and agility for a hound of its size.
Temperamentally, Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs are known for being affectionate, loyal, and sociable both with people and other dogs. They are playful and often exhibit a cheerful disposition, making them great family companions. However, as scent hounds, they have a tendency to follow their noses, which reflects their independent spirit developed for hunting. Consistent training and early socialization are recommended, as the breed can be stubborn at times.
Basset Fauves are generally regarded as healthy, hardy, and easy to care for. Their grooming needs are moderate; regular brushing of their wiry coat helps control shedding and keeps them tidy, but they do not require professional grooming. The breed is energetic and needs daily exercise, though it is usually satisfied with walks and opportunities to explore securely.
Overall, the Basset Fauve De Bretagne is a versatile breed, equally at home as a pet or working dog. Their adaptability, good temperament, and moderate size make them suitable for various households. Potential owners should be prepared for an active, sociable dog that thrives on companionship and mental stimulation.
Appearance
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a distinctive breed known for its compact, rustic appearance and palpable charm. This small scent hound, originating from the Brittany region of France, is easily recognized by its proportionally low-to-the-ground build, which is achieved through short, sturdy legs and a solid, elongated body. The breed typically stands about 12.5 to 15.5 inches (32–39 cm) at the shoulder and weighs between 27 to 35 pounds (12–16 kg), making it a medium-sized dog with ample substance for its size.
The overall silhouette of the Basset Fauve de Bretagne is balanced—well-muscled without appearing clumsy or heavy. It possesses a slightly arched, strong neck which blends smoothly into well-laid-back shoulders. The chest is deep and broad, providing plenty of room for a strong heart and lungs, important for such an active hound.
One of the breed's most defining features is its dense, harsh, and wiry coat, which serves as insulation and protection from harsh underbrush during hunts. The coat is never curly and lies close to the body, with a slight wave sometimes visible. The fur on the ears, however, is noticeably softer and shorter. The typical coloration ranges from fawn to rich red-wheaten, often with a small white patch on the chest or the tip of the tail, which is permissible in the breed standard. The presence of black hairs scattered through the coat, especially along the topline, is also relatively common and acceptable.
The Basset Fauve's head is relatively long compared to its overall body, with a distinct yet moderate stop. The skull is slightly domed, and the muzzle is of equal length to the skull, tapering gently toward a broad, black or dark brown nose—adapted for their keen sense of smell. The eyes are dark brown, medium-sized, oval, and set fairly deep, exuding an expression of alertness and friendliness. Its ears are set just below the line of the eyes, relatively short, turning inwards, and covered in softer fur than the rest of the body.
The tail is relatively thick at the base, tapering to a point, and carried saber-like with a gentle upward curve. The overall demeanor of the Basset Fauve de Bretagne, both in appearance and movement, is one of energy and enthusiasm, always ready for action yet showing a gentle, kind expression.
History
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a distinctive and ancient French scent hound breed, with roots that trace back to the province of Brittany in northwestern France. Its history is closely linked to the now-extinct Grand Fauve de Bretagne, a much larger hound that was highly prized by medieval and Renaissance French nobility for hunting big game such as wolf and wild boar. By the end of the 19th century, as large game became scarce and hunting practices evolved, breeders focused on developing a more compact hound better suited for pursuing smaller game, such as rabbit and hare, in dense undergrowth.
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne emerged from these efforts, first gaining recognition in the 1800s. Its development involved selective breeding for the short legs and low-slung body characteristic of bassets, which enable it to follow scent trails under thick brush and through rugged terrain. Unlike some other basset-type breeds that originated as spontaneous dwarf varieties, the Basset Fauve was a deliberate creation, bred down from its larger ancestors to retain the keen nose, courage, and enthusiasm for hunting.
Despite its abilities, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne experienced fluctuations in popularity. After World War II, the breed faced the threat of extinction due to declining numbers. Dedicated enthusiasts and hunters worked to restore its population, using careful breeding programs. Some accounts suggest that, during this period, crosses with other breeds such as standard wirehaired Dachshunds may have been used to introduce genetic diversity, though breed enthusiasts aimed to preserve the pure characteristics of the original hounds.
Today, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne is recognized by major kennel clubs, such as the French Kennel Club (Société Centrale Canine) and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), among others. While it remains relatively rare outside of France, the breed has achieved a loyal following among enthusiasts. It is still valued for its tracking skills, lively temperament, and adaptability as both a working dog and a family companion. The breed's resilient nature and versatility reflect its long history as a steadfast partner to French hunters in the centuries-old tradition of the chase.