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Basset fauve de Bretagne

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a small French scent hound from Brittany, with a harsh fawn-coloured wiry coat, developed from the now-extinct Grand Fauve de Bretagne.

It hunts rabbit and hare in dense cover, and the wire coat is protection against thorns.

It stands 32 to 38 centimetres, weighs 16 to 18 kilograms and lives eleven to fourteen years. Its build is more athletic than the Basset Hound's — shorter in the back, longer in the leg — and it is correspondingly more agile and considerably more energetic. It is a lively, determined and cheerful little hound rather than a placid one, which is worth knowing before choosing it as a basset.

Origin
Brittany, France
Size
32–38 cm; 16–18 kg
Lifespan
11–14 years
Coat
Harsh, wiry and fawn; needs hand-stripping
Temperament
Lively and determined — more athletic than other bassets
Health
Ear infections, hip dysplasia, eye conditions

Related: Basset hound · Brittany · Basset bleu de Gascogne · Grand basset griffon Vendeen

2 basset fauve de bretagne photos, newest first

  • Clemence, a basset fauve de bretagne

    Clemence

    Clemence was promoted to scientist monitoring a bubbling but harmless experiment; unfortunately, a tiny red carpet refuses to lie flat.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Clemence, a basset fauve de bretagne

    Clemence

    Clemence has opinions about the weather.

    SunnyHeron · 2 weeks ago

Living with a basset fauve de bretagne

Do not expect a placid basset. This is an active, driven little hound that needs a good hour of exercise daily and gets into trouble without it.

The wiry coat needs hand-stripping two or three times a year to keep its texture, plus weekly brushing. Clipping softens it permanently.

Ears need weekly checking and cleaning.

The nose leads and recall is unreliable once a scent is picked up. Long lines and secure fencing.

They are cheerful, sociable and good with people, and they are stubborn in the way hounds are — training works with food and patience rather than repetition. Ask about hip scores and eye testing.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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