Basset Hounds 1872

Description

The Basset type originated in France.  It is descended from 6th-century hounds bred at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Hubert in Belgium and became the St Hubert’s Hound around 1000 AD. The original hounds are descended from the Laconian (Spartan) Hound, known from Greek and descriptions. They were described as large, slow, short-legged and deep mouthed dogs with small head, straight nose, upright ears and long neck, and either tan with white markings or black with tan markings and were reputed to not give up the scent until they found their prey. They eventually found their way to Constantinople, and from there to Europe. The name Basset is derived from the French word bas, meaning ‘low’ and with the attenuating suffix –et – together means ‘rather low’. Basset Hounds are usually bicolours or tricolours. The Basset Hound was first recognised as a breed by the Kennel Club in 1880 following the application of Lord Onslow who had bred two of the dogs. In 1880 Mr. George Krehl imported “Fino de Paris”, a pillar of the breed in British “Basset Hound” history. He was one of Count de Couteulx’s hounds. In 1882 Lord Onslow sold his pack of fifteen hounds to Sir Everett Millais and George Krehl. During the ten years between 1872 and 1882, the pack had been strengthened by direct imports from the kennels of Count de Couteulx. In 1883 Mr. George Krehl gave some Basset Hound puppies to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. They were sired by Ch. Jupiter, a hound bred by Count le Couteulx. Lord Aylesford brought a brace of Basset Hounds to his ranch near Big Spring, Texas to use as rabbit hounds. They were sired by Mr. G. R. Krehl’s Ch. Jupiter.