
Basset Fauve de Bretagne Dog Breed Profile
General
Other Names
Tawny Brittany Basset, BFB
Dog Group Kennel Club
Hound
Breed Classification
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne belongs to the hound group and is used as a gundog, companion and seen in the show-ring. In France they are used to hunt rabbits.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost
< £4 per week
Feeding Requirements
These dogs are not fussy eaters.
Other Expenses
The cost of a puppy will be around £400. After the initial purchase price, the only outlay will be for plucking the coat twice a year but this is relatively easy to learn to do yourself.
Lifespan
9 - 15 years
They will live from 12 to 14 years of age.
They will live from 12 to 14 years of age.
Average Litter Size
The average size of litter is 6 puppies. Larger litters will be born from newly-imported stock.
General Physical Description
Neat little hounds that are typical 'Basset' in appearance i.e. long bodies and short legs! They have very harsh, dense coats. They are very quick off the mark and stride out well.
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Size Category
Small
Weight Height Range
Both dogs and bitches measure between 32 to 38cms at the withers and weigh between 16 to 18kgs.
Ailments
This is a hardy breed with no problems being recorded to date.
Common Ailments
Susceptibility To Illness
Low
Other
History
The Basset Fauvre de Bretagne is the smaller of the two hounds that come from the Brittany area of France in the 1800's. They were achieved by crossing the larger version, the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne, and low-legged hounds from the Vendee area and were originally used for small-game hunting. The earlier versions of the breed probably looked more like terriers than what we know today. In addition to their homeland, BFB's are now popular in Britain and are now recognised by the Kennel Club.
Intelligence
Intelligent dogs who are hounds through and through. They must be trained to recall as puppies or they will turn a 'deaf ear' on you and come back when it suits them!<
Show Characteristics
The head should be of medium length with a well-defined occiput. The eyes should be dark hazel and the ears set on level with the eyes ending in a point and covered with finer, darker and softer hair than that on the body. The jaws should be strong with a complete scissor bite. The neck should be rather short and muscular adjoining slightly sloping shoulders. The chest should be wide and deep with a level topline. The forelegs can be straight or slightly crooked and strongly boned; the hindlegs being strong. The feet should be tight with firm, hard pads and the tail set on high and carried like a sickle when moving. The preferred colours for the show ring are red/wheaten or fawn. Some white may occur on the chest or neck, however this is undesirable.
Country Of Origin
France
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy
Medium
Overall Exercise
60 - 80 minutes per day.
For their size, BFB's need a reasonable amount of exercise. They love to romp and play and have a passion for hunting so care must be taken when they are off the lead.
For their size, BFB's need a reasonable amount of exercise. They love to romp and play and have a passion for hunting so care must be taken when they are off the lead.
Distress if Left Alone
Personal Protection
Low
Guard Dog Suitability
Low
Risk of Sheep Worrying
High
Tendency to Bark
Medium
Ease of Transportation
High
Level of Aggression
Low
Compatibility With Other Animals
High
Suitable For Children
High
General Character And Temperament
Cheerful little dogs who can have minds of their own! They are intelligent, friendly, brave and very active. This breed gets along well with children and other household pets. Not really guard dogs, they will however announce strangers at the door. They are unhappy if kept confined for too long and love to have busy, full lives and to be involved with all family matters.
Grooming
Coat Length
Short/Medium
Grooming Requirement
Once a week
Trimming
None
Requires Professional Groomer
True
Grooming
Easy to maintain, these dogs just need their coats combed through regularly and plucked twice a year. Whilst their coats should never be trimmed, the excess hair around their ear passages should be removed.
Colour
BFB's come in various shades of fawn and red-wheaten. Some may have a little white on the chest.
Shedding
Little
Suffers From Allergies
Australian Silky Terrier
Basset Bleu de Gascogne
Bavarian Mountain Hound
Beauceron
Boerboel
Bull Terrier Miniature
Chinese Crested
Coton De Tulear
Elkhound
Eskimo Dog
Estrela Mountain Dog