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Basset Artésien Normand
| Other Names | Artesian Norman Basset, Basset Artesiano de Normandia, Basset Art sien Normand, Basset Artesian Normand, Basset Norman, Norman Artesian Basset |
| Nicknames | BAN |
| Country of Origin | France |
| Weight | 33–44 lb (15–20 kg ) |
| Height (at withers) | 10 - 14 in. (25 - 36 cm) |
| Coat | The coat is very short. |
| Colour | Tri-coloured (fawn and white with black blanket, a patch across the back) or bi-coloured (fawn and white). |
| Litter Size | 2-6 puppies, Average of 4 |
| Life Span | 12 - 15 Years |
| Origin & History | During the Middle Ages, hunting with hounds became tremendously popular among the nobility of Europe. This sport became one of the most important, if not the most important, form of recreation enjoyed by Europe’s ruling class. Not only was hunting with hounds a way to relax, it was also a way for the nobility to socialize and discuss political matters. Bonds of friendship and companionship developed over the hunt would often turn into bonds of personal and political loyalty. The decisions that were discussed over hunts impacted the lives of millions across Europe. The sport was particularly popular in the lands of what is now France. Initially, dog breeding was less careful than it is today. There were a variety of types of dog, and a number of landraces, but there was very frequent mixing. The first records of organized dog breeding in Europe comes from the Saint Hubert Monastery in France. Saint Hubert is the patron saint of hounds and the hunt and the monks at his monastery began to develop a highly specialized hunting hound. They began their breeding program sometime between 750 and 900, and the end result was a breed of dog known as the Saint Hubert Hound, or Bloodhound in England. There is a common belief that they based their dogs on hunting hounds brought back from the Holy Land, although there is little historical fact to base this on. Eventually, it became customary for the Monastery to send several pairs of hounds to the King of France every year. The French King would then distribute these dogs among his nobles as gifts. Partially inspired by the Saint Hubert Hound, huntsmen throughout France began to develop their own unique breeds of hound. Eventually there were distinctive hounds across France. Many of these have their origins in the Middle Ages or the early Renaissance. Unfortunately, few if any records were kept and so the origin of most of these breeds will forever be unknown. It is believed that the oldest French hounds descend from a mix of dogs brought by Phoenicians, dogs owned by the Pre-Roman Gauls and Basques, dogs imported from across the Roman Empire, and some dogs used by the Germanic tribes. By the end of the Middle Ages, the Saint Hubert Hound had become widespread across France, and heavily influenced the development of almost all other French Hound breeds. A few other French breeds became widely distributed across France and were also highly influential, notably the now-extinct Chien Gris and the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. Several unique breeds developed in northern France. One such breed was known as the Normand, which originated in Normandy. These dogs were elegant, long, and scroll-eared. Another breed was known as either the Picardy or the Chien d’Artois. This dog was developed in the neighboring regions of Picardy and Artois. The Chien d’Artois is believed to be primarily descended from the Saint Hubert Hound, although the breed has been substantially influenced by the Normand and various English hounds and gundogs. French hunters would typically take a basic breed and alter it in order to suit the needs of different game or environments. This led to many French hound breeds having multiple varieties, which eventually became separate breeds. One of the most common forms became known as a Basset. Bassets are long bodied and short legged dogs. Many different breeds of Basset have existed over the past several centuries, with six surviving until the present day. The origin of Bassets is something of a mystery. The first description of a dog as a Basset comes from La Venerie, an illustrated hunting text by Jacques du Fouilloux written in 1585. These dogs are shown hunting foxes and badgers, driving these animals into a burrow. Hunters would then dig out the quarry. However, Jacques du Fouilloux’s Bassets are already highly developed in both appearance and purpose. It is likely that they were developed several centuries earlier. Indeed, paintings from Gascony in the 1300’s show dogs which may be the Basset Bleu de Gascogne. All of Fouilloux’s Bassets were wiry-coated; a trait shared with the modern Basset Fauve de Bretagne, Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen, and Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. It is not known how Bassets were developed. Some believe that the dogs were exclusively bred from mutated French hounds. Others believe that French hounds were crossed with other small breeds such as Dachshunds, Drevers, Beagles, or Corgis. Due to a paucity of records, the full truth may never be known, although most fanciers prefer the first. It is also unknown how so many breeds came to have a basset variety. Some theories have multiple breeds of dogs being bred down in size. Others have one breed of Basset being developed and then crossed with many other breeds. The second theory seems to be preferred in the literature and is the more likely of the two. What Basset breed is the original is up for debate. Many believe that the Basset mutation was common in the Saint Hubert Hound, and that the first Bassets were developed by the monks at the Saint Hubert Monastery. However, there doesn’t seem to be evidence of this theory, and there is no known breed as the Basset Saint Hubert. Among the oldest breeds of Basset for which we have evidence are the Basset Bleu de Gascogne and the now-extinct Basset Saintongeois. By the 1600’s, both the Normand and the Chien d’Artois were found in Basset forms. Local breeders combined the two varieties to create the Basset Artesian Normand. It is likely that they crossed other local Artesian and Norman hounds as well, and possibly other Basset breeds. The Basset Bleu de Gascogne in particular shares a similar appearance to the Basset Artesian Normand. The Basset Artesian Normand eventually overtook the popularity of the Basset Normand and the Basset Chien d’Artois, both of which are now extinct. The first record of Bassets in America comes from the late 1700’s. Several Bassets were given to George Washington by General Lafayette as a gift. It is not known what variety of Bassets these were, but it is quite possible that they were Basset Artesian Normands. These dogs may have factored into the ancestry of such American hound breeds as the American Foxhound. The French Revolution and resulting social turmoil proved disastrous for French hunting hounds. Many breeds became extinct as what nobility remained could no longer afford their upkeep. However, the Basset breeds grew in popularity. Because their legs were so short, hunters could easily keep pace with them without the need for a horse. This allowed the many Frenchmen who could afford a dog or two but not a horse to enjoy hunting. Basset breeds became the hounds of choice for the common man. The prominence and popularity of the Basset Artesian Normand greatly grew during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III, 1852 to 1870. The Emperor was a tremendous fancier of the breed. Just one year after his reign began he commissioned the renowned sculptor Emmanuel Fremiet to build bronze statutes of three of his Bassets. In 1863, the Basset Artesian Normand was shown at the Paris dog show. The breed’s unique appearance created quite a stir in the international dog scene. At this point there were four varieties of the Basset Artesian Normand. Wire-coated dogs were known as Basset Griffons and smooth-coated animals were known as Basset Francais’s. Each coat variety also came in two leg lengths. Breeding of the Basset Artesian Normand became standardized in 1870. For the next several decades, Basset Artesian Normand breeding was dominated by two breeders M. Lane, who focused on hunting performance, and the Count Le Couteaux, who focused on appearance. These lines became separate and quite different. Eventually, Leon Verrier created one unified standard, which combined aspects of both lines. Breeding became so standardized that only one variety of Basset Artesian Normand remains, the smooth coated, short-legged modern variety. Also, the dog’s coat has changed over time. Initially, there were several different coat patterns, although only tri-color or fawn and white are currently considered acceptable. The dog is less cumbersome and more streamlined than its ancestors; although some hunters complain that the modern animal lacks stamina and a sufficiently hound-like voice. The first record of a modern Basset Artesian Normand leaving France comes from 1866 when Lord Galway imported a pair of Le Couteaux’s dogs into Britain. However, the breed did not become established there until 1874, when Sir Everett Millais began to import them. The Basset Artesian Normand quickly grew in popularity in the English dog show world. Several hunting packs were also created. British breeders favored a heavier dog and tended to breed the largest examples of Basset Artesian Normands. They also crossed Basset Artesian Normands with Bloodhounds, beagles, and other Basset breeds. Within a few decades these British Artesian Normands had become a new breed entirely, the Basset Hound. The Basset Hound quickly spread to America and around the world. The Basset Artesian Normand did not gain this international popularity, although the breed remained comparatively popular in France. The French Revolution and two World Wars resulted in the extinction, or at least severe numerical decline of most French hound breeds. This process continues to the present day, as hunting with packs of hounds grows continuously less popular. However, the Basset Artesian Normand remains in relatively good shape. The breed has long been a popular companion dog in his homeland and remains the most popular breed of Basset in France. Like many other breeds of dog, the Basset Artesian Normand is now rarely used for its original purpose as a pack hunter, and is now most commonly kept as a companion animal or show dog. In 1924 the name Artesien Norman Basset (Basset Artésien Normand) was finally adopted for the breed and the club, Mr. Léon Verrier, who took over as chairman of the club in 1927, at the age of 77, wanted to strengthen the Norman character of the breed and in the book of “Standards Of Hunting Dogs of 1930”, the following reference is made to this breed and the club : “The committee of the “Société de Vénerie” (Game Society) decides and notes that the Basset Artésien-Normand should not be but one stage of transition towards a Norman type, without any trace of Artois.” Largely overshadowed overseas by its descendant the Basset Hound, the Basset Artesian Normand is beginning to find fanciers in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Although not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club even as a Foundation Stock Service Breed, the Basset Artesian Normand was recognized with the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1995. However, the Basset Artesian Normand, or B.A.N. as it is commonly known in the United States, is still quite rare outside of its homeland. |
| Personality | The Basset Artesian Normand is fairly easy to obedience train. Although brave and determined, courageous and headstrong in the hunt, the Artesian is gentle with children and makes a fine, trustworthy pet. They have a very deep bark and may bark loudly when strangers arrive, but will still give a warm welcome. Good-natured and obedient, he is valued as a companion as well as an excellent hunter. Many French owners embrace this dwarfish hunter and welcome him into their home as a member of their family. He has an excellent nose and loves to take off after an interesting scent, so be careful he does not slip away from you. They will get along nicely with other breeds; they live in packs in France. If they are socialized with cats and other household animals when they are young, they will get along with them as well. Owners should be firm, but calm, consistent and confident in their approach. To avoid behavior issues learn canine instincts and treat the dog accordingly, providing plenty of daily mental and physical exercise. |
Care Requirements
| Health | The Basset Artesian Normand is a relatively healthy breed, especially when compared to other Basset varieties. Many long-bodied and short legged dogs have a tendency to have back problems, and the Basset Artesian Normand is no exception. These breeds’ backs are very likely to suffer damage as a result of injury or activity. In particular, the Basset Artesian Normand is likely to suffer from ruptured disks. Weight gain is a particular problem in the breed. These dogs’ already sensitive backs can be greatly strained by excess weight. It is important that a Basset Artesian Normand’s diet be closely monitored and that they get sufficient exercise. |
| Grooming | The smooth, shorthaired coat of the Basset Artesian Normand is easy to groom. Rub a rubber brush over the dog's coat occasionally to remove dead hair. Shampoo only when necessary. Clean the ears regularly and keep the toenails short. |
| Exercise | This breed needs long daily walks, but remember that it will take off after any interesting scent when it is off its lead. If this happens, put a piece of your clothing or something with your scent on it near where the dog disappeared and you will most likely find the dog in that spot in a few hours or at least by morning. |
| Other Considerations | The Basset Artesian Normand is good for apartment life. They are fairly active indoors and a small yard will do. |
