Characteristics of Basset Artesien Normand Breed
The origins of the Basset Artesien Normand dog breed are fairly recent. Originally from France, it was created for hunting. Its small size and short legs allow it to penetrate the densest vegetation, where large dogs cannot enter, and bring out the game hiding there.
It prefers to hunt rabbit, but can also hunt hare or roe deer; its pursuit is not very fast, but energetic and orderly.
Its progenitors are two breeds that have now disappeared: basset d'artois and the norman basset, and apart from its country of origin it is also known in the United States, in the rest of the world it is almost unknown.
Basset hounds are considered to be retriever dogs, although they are often confused by many inexperienced people with dachshunds, which are an entirely different matter, being den dogs. There are two varieties: the Artesien, originally from Flanders, and the Normand, selected in Artois.
At the origin of its such short legs is a genetic malformation (like that of the German dachshund), and then dachshundism, which appeared as a spontaneous mutation, was fixed by man by mating carriers.
Nowadays, it is used not only for hunting, but as a companion animal. Its gentleness and docility make it a perfect family dog.
Character of the Basset Artesien Normand dog breed
The basset artesien normand is a very good dog and is often bred as a companion dog precisely because of its ability to adapt well to family life, but it is also brave, fearless and obviously a good hunter. It is very affectionate, especially with its owner, and is also suited to being with children and other animals, especially dogs, as it is very often used to hunting in packs.
During hunting periods it is a fearless, stubborn and gritty dog, able to withstand very long walks and hard work; in fact it is considered the most intelligent of all small game hounds, also due to its very high trainability. He is a true hunter and expresses all his joie de vivre in his work.
Being bred in moult, it cannot stand solitude and can become destructive if left alone for very long. It is somewhat stubborn and willful, so even though it is very easily trained, it is good to start immediately as a puppy, with a firm education. It has a very pronounced hunting instinct, so it may decide to follow a trail and run away if it is not kept safe, and it also barks very frequently. It is therefore not suitable for flat life, unless it has been brought up from an early age to bark very little.
It is not very suitable as a guard dog, because it tends to socialise immediately with strangers, but because of its barking it is considered an alert dog. It is not very suitable for elderly or sedentary people as it is a very active dog, which must be taken at least a couple of times a day for long walks and possibly runs. It is essential for its health that this dog can do as much exercise as it needs to discharge its vitality.
Appearance of the basset artesien normand dog breed
The Basset Artesien Normand is a small to medium-sized dog. Its height at withers varies from 26 to 36 centimetres and its weight ranges from 13 to 16 kilograms. Morphologically classified as a braccoid, it is the small cousin of the basset hound, but its characteristics are not as pronounced.
It is a long, well-placed dog with a solid structure and a rather dry musculature, with the right bone structure in relation to its size. It has very muscular and thick paws although they are very short in length and can be arched or semi-arched.
But its musculature needs a lot of physical activity, perhaps outdoors, precisely so that the Basset artésien normand does not gain weight and so that its weight does not weigh down on the muscles and bones of its paws. The tail is rather long, strong at the root and gradually tapering off.
The head is dome-shaped, of medium width and has a rather gaunt appearance. The muzzle is elongated with a black and broad truffle, a little advanced in relation to the lips and with well open nostrils. The eyes are large and dark, with a calm and serious look at times almost melancholic, sometimes the red of the lower eyelid may be visible. The ears are attached low, very long and end in a pointed tip.
The coat is sparse, short and dense without being too fine. The coat colours are tricolour or white and orange or bicolour, with fawn spots on the head or black on the coat.
Health and care of the Basset Artesien Normand dog breed
The basset artesien normand is a dog that is only fragile and delicate in appearance. In reality, it is very robust and hardy and enjoys excellent health. It has an average life span of 13-14 years.
As far as looking after its coat is concerned, it is very easy, an occasional brushing and a bath when needed are all that is needed to keep it in good order.
As far as nutrition is concerned, a healthy, balanced diet made up of the right nutrients for his sustenance and physique is needed, but he must be kept moving daily and for a long time. Lack of proper exercise leads to obesity, as he is predisposed to it. There are no known specific diseases for this breed.
