Other Names: Fawn Brittany Basset
Country Of Origin: France
Dog Group: Scenthound
Size: Small
Recommended For: Families, couples, single owners
Maintenance Level: Medium
Lifespan: 10-14 years
Temperament: Friendly, stubborn, sociable
FAQ:
Good For First-Time Owner: Yes
Good With Children: Yes
Good With Other Animals: Yes
Good With Strangers: Yes
Good For Apartments: Yes
Exercise Requirements: Daily walking
Can Live In Hot Weather: Yes
Can Live In Cold Weather: Yes
Can Tolerate Being Left Alone: No
Grooming: Moderate/high
Trainability: Easy/moderate
Breed Overview:
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is very similar to the better-known Basset Hound but is generally thinner with longer legs.
The breed originates in Brittany, northern France, and was typically used as a hunting dog.
Bassets are very friendly dogs, and make great companion pets. They love human affection, and make ideal lap dogs. They’re great with all members of the family, and are also very sociable around other animals.
Color: Fawn
Height: 13-15 inches (both males and females)
Weight: 30-40bs (both males and females)
Personality and Temperament:
Basset Fauve de Bretagne dogs are generally very friendly, and thrive on human attention. This means they’re perfect as companion pets, which is the main reason owners look for them.
However, they are still used as working dogs in some parts of the world, but this use is becoming increasingly unpopular due to changing social standards.
Basset Fauve de Bretagnes are great around children, and make perfect family pets. Being small, the breed is generally less tolerant of boisterous behavior, so owners should be wary about having the dog around small children.
This doesn’t mean it can’t happen, but owners should be there to ensure there are no disagreements between the dog and child.
Due to the breed’s use as a hunting dog, it can pick up commands very easily. However, their scenting instinct is very strong, and so owners will need to work from an early age to train the dog to listen.
Sometimes their scenting instinct can override their obedience training, so just be on the lookout for this.
The Fawn Brittany Basset gets on well with all other dogs, and has very little problem with other common pets.
However, owners should be wary around pets such as rabbits, as this is what the Basset was bred to hunt. Their hunting instinct is very strong, so be careful keeping one around small pets.
Bassets need daily walking, and longer walks are recommended to help them burn off some energy.
This should also be combined with plenty of play to ensure the dog is mentally stimulated, as well as physically. They love playing fetch because it taps into their hunting instinct.
Due to the breed’s size, they are fine to be kept in apartments. Owners should be wary however of then needing to take them out for longer walks, as there will be less opportunity for the dog to expend energy at home.
Also be aware of the breed’s tendency for barking, which isn’t a massive problem, but can become one when living in an apartment.
Aside from their higher maintenance, Basset Fauve de Bretagnes make a good choice for first-time owners.
The breed is generally quite healthy and easy to care for, and has little in the way of specialist needs.
First-time owners must commit to the right level of exercise and grooming though, which may put some people off.
The breed originates in northern France, and so isn’t necessarily designed for hot weather. Their coat is quite coarse and can hold heat well.
For this reason, they might not be suited to very hot places, but prefer more moderate climates. They can do well in cold weather, but owners might want to buy them a coat if it gets particularly chilly.
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is tolerant of strangers, which is more of a benefit than it is a curse.
It obviously means they don’t make good guard dogs, but it does mean your life will be much easier when you take them out walking.
The only time the breed becomes defensive is if they think themselves or their owner is under threat.
As a general rule, a Basset Fauve de Bretagne can’t be left on its own for too long.
This is because they need plenty of human attention, and without it they can become bored and destructive.
However, they can be left alone for a few hours, but this will be much easier if they’re left in the company of other dogs.
Grooming:
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne has a coarse coat that’s reasonably long and quite wiry.
However, it’s pretty easy to look after as it naturally repels dirt and doesn’t matt. Their coat should be brushed weekly, and the longer parts combed out, mainly to distribute oils.
Like other longhaired breeds, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne can be stripped, particularly in hot weather.
This simply means that the density of their coat is reduced, and this can be done by hand.
Most owners choose to visit a groomer for this because they can do a professional job.
The breed sheds seasonally as they transition between their summer and winter coats.
Owners can expect some shedding throughout the rest of the year, but regular brushing will help minimize this problem.
Although the breed isn’t known to suffer terribly from eye conditions, it’s necessary to keep the hair around their eyes trimmed short.
More than anything, it can become a nuisance for the dog, so should be trimmed regularly.
The same is true for fur around the nose and mouth, all of which can become a bit messy if left alone.
Ears need to be checked several times a week for debris and to reduce the risk of infection.
If dirty, they should be cleaned with a small piece of cotton wool, but not a Q-tip. As with all other breeds, nails should be trimmed regularly and teeth brushed several times a week to reduce the risk of dental problems.
Common Diseases and Conditions:
Overall, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne is quite a healthy breed, and suffers from few hereditary conditions.
The most common conditions found in the breed are epilepsy, skin allergies, progressive retinal atrophy, and thyroid problems.
Many of these conditions are common in purebred dogs, and should be tested for by the breeder.
Most conditions are age related, with onset beginning mainly in the dog’s later years.
All conditions can be managed, but none are curable. However, the incidence rate is reasonably low, and testing by breeders means that new owners are at least aware the conditions are present, even before they start showing.
History:
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne shares a common ancestry with a similar breed, the Grand Fauve de Bretagne, although this is now extinct.
The breed originated as a hunting dog, particularly for rabbits, but is rarely used for this purpose now.
It was established as its own distinct breed in the 19th century, but still remains quite rare. Most owners simply keep the breed as a companion pet because of their friendly personalities.
It’s believed that, not long after WW2, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne was very close to extinction, and breeders attempted to recreate it using examples of the Basset and some similar breeds, including the wirehaired Dachshund.
However, this rumor has never been proved true, and the French Kennel Club denies it completely.
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne has been recognized by the United Kennel Club of Britain for many years, but was only taken off the rare breed list in 2007.
It’s currently only recognized by the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service, which is mainly due to its rarity in the USA.
Basset Fauve de Bretagnes are generally kept as show dogs and companion pets across Europe, and considering the breed’s rarity; they’re a common sight at dog shows.
Basset Fauve de Bretagne Facts & Figures:
Did You Know?
The name Basset comes from the French “bas,” meaning “low.” Their name translates as “low set.”
- Although bred primarily for hunting rabbit, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne was also capable of taking down wild boar.
- The breed is generally recognized as being fawn, but black and gray ticks across the back are permitted. More than anything, these actually provide the dog with better camouflage when hunting.
- The United Kennel Club only recognized the breed in 1996, whereas the American Kennel Club only did so in 2015.
- The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is incredibly playful, and particularly enjoys spending time playing with children.
*More French Dog Breeds below: