Originating from France, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a smallish dog breed that is built along the same line as a Basset Hound but has longer legs and is generally lighter.
These dogs are determined, courageous, and intelligent and can adapt to different types of environments.
He is also known as the “Fawn Brittany Basset.”
Bassets are a family of hounds that consist of 6 dog breeds bred to be low-slung hunters and can hunt various prey.
These hounds include the following;
- Basset Fauve de Bretagne
- Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
- Basset Hound
- Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
- Basset Artesian Normand
- The Basset Bleu de Gascogne
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a great companion for all types of families, whether they are small or large families, or even families with you’d children.
But this is not all that this incredible pooch has to offer. You may have owned one of these canine or are planning to get one for yourself and your family.
To do this you need to have enough information about this breed and even know how you can take care of his needs.
Fortunately, we as Mydogsinfo have all this information for you, from his look and personality qualities, and even how you can best take care of him as a breed.
So, why don’t you stick with us as we go through this?
About the Basset Fauve de Bretagne
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a medium-sized but energetic hound.
Basset is a French word that means “low-set.”
He is an intelligent dog that can sometimes stubborn makes an affectionate and eager to please pet. Sometimes, he is also mischievous to make his owner and family happy.
These dogs can adapt to different games and terrain during hunting.
Due to their small size, these canines make great dogs for living in an apartment and can live in any type of household.
But as an owner, you need to know that this is a high energy pooch before deciding to shop or adopt.
Adoptions is always a better option over purchasing a pup. You can always check in your local shelter or rescue to see if you will be lucky enough to get this dog.
These doggos are not meant to be watchdogs, but they will do what they can to make sure that the ones they value are protected. They will also not hesitate to let you know when things are not going right.
This Basset dog was bred to be a hunter but he is slowly gaining popularity as a household pet.
They are great with children but the same cannot be said for other small animals such as rabbits.
So, what is the story behind the Basset Fauve de Bretagne?
Origin and history of the Fawn Colored Brittany Basset
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a hound that originated from France and his history can be traced back to the 1500s.
These dogs are believed to be closely related to a pack of hounds owned by Francois 1 which he frequently used to hunt.
This dog is believed to come from a lineage of the now-extinct Grand Basset Fauve de Bretagne.
And although this dog went extinct, his genes still exist in the breed we now know as the Fawn Colored Brittany Basset. His genes can also be found in other Bassets and the rough-coated Griffon.
In 1520, Admiral d’Anneboulde introduced the 1st Basset Fauve to the French court.
Only French aristocrats were allowed to own this dog which only changed after the French revolution. People were then allowed to own this Hound from 1789 and as time went by the breed evolved to have shorter legs.
Even after this evolution happened, the dog was still able to hunt and keep up with horses being able to travel through the rough terrain.
Pedigree and breed recognition
The Basset Fauve was registered under the rare breed registry of the United Kennel Club in 2007. In the UK these dogs are mainly kept as family pets and as show dogs.
The American Kennel Club registered this breed under the Foundation Stock Service(FSS) in 2015.
The pros and cons of this Basset breed
Pros
✓ These pooches are great companions for both families and individuals.
✔ The Basset Fauve is an excellent addition for people that love to hunt.
✓ They are extremely friendly and intelligent dogs.
Cons
✘ They are independent dogs which makes them more challenging to train.
✗ These dogs require a substantial amount of exercise which may be too much for some people.
General characteristics and appearance of the Basset Fauve de Bretagne
Bassey Fauve de Bretagne Dog summary table | |
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Height | 12 to 16 inches tall |
Weight | 25 to 35 pounds |
Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
Breed Type | FSS |
Purpose | Hunting and companion dogs |
Suitable For | All families and individual in general |
Grooming requirements | Moderate |
Color Variations | Fawn, Red, Wheaten, and Red-wheaten |
Health concerns | Kidney problems, Otitis Externa, Corneal Ulcers, Cataracts and epilepsy |
Temperament | Stubborn, Affectionate, Sociable, Companionable, Adaptable, Courageous, Determined, Cheerful and intelligent |
Other Names | Fawn Colored Brittany Basset |
Weight and height of the Fawn Colored Brittany Basset
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a small to medium-sized dog breed with a height of between 12 and 16 inches and whose weight could vary from 25 to 35 pounds.
The physical appearance of a Basset Fauve de Bretagne
When viewed from the side the Basset Fauve de Bretagne has a typical rectangular shape.
He has a broad and somewhat domed skull with a wide muzzle and jaw.
These dogs have low-set, inquisitive, intelligent, and dark brown or hazel colored eyes.
They look like the typical Basset but with shorter legs and smaller bodies with low-hanging and long ears. These ears are long enough to touch their noses when they are pulled forward.
The nose of a Basset Fauve can either be brown or black and had wide nostrils which make his scenting abilities great.
Their tails should never be bobbed or cropped. These tails remain upright when this dog is alert and it helps hunters spot the dog even when he is in undergrowths.
Shedding and coat appearance of the Fawn Colored Brittany Basset
The coat of a Basset Fauve is well-suited for his kind of working environment.
This canine a wiry, medium-length double coat. The coat is harsh to touch, extremely dense, and lies flat on the body so that loose material, seed, and twigs do not cling on it. However, the undercoat is slightly softer.
These pooches also come in 3 main different coat colors;
Wheaten | Fawn | Red |
They shed moderately but with regular grooming, you can reduce the shedding by a great deal.
These dogs are also not hypoallergenic and therefore not suitable for allergic sufferers.
Temperament and personality traits of the Basset Fauve
This is a great furry friend for all kinds of individuals and families.
These doggos love spending time with family are extremely loyal and affectionate towards them.
He is friendly even to strange and never shows any signs of aggression towards them. This also means that you should not expect this Basset to be your guard dog.
They may have smaller bodies than other hounds but they are fully-packed with energy in those sturdy and small frames.
Just like any other dog that loves to hunt there is nothing that the Fawn Colored Brittany Basset loves more than being outdoors and exploring along with their hooman friends. They also adapt to different terrains and have great stamina.
But you should be warned, this dog has a stubborn side and will try to take over leadership from his power.
However, this is something that you can manage through consistent and firm training.
Traits | Rating |
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Friendliness |
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Confidence |
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Protectiveness |
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Prey Drive |
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sociability |
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Is the Basset Fauve de Bretagne a good family pet?
The Fawn Colored Brittany Basset is an exemplary family dog that makes a great playmate for children.
They also get along with other pets that they have been raised with.
However, he is still a hunter and will still consider some small animals such as cats and rabbits fair game.
You can always tame a dog with a high prey drive and prevent him from chasing all moving objects. If you want to learn how you can visit our prey drive management guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where did the Basset Fauve originate from?
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne originated from France in the 1500s as a hunting dog. These dogs are believed to be the descendants of the Breton Hounds which are closely related to the now-extinct Grand Basser Fauve de Bretagne.
What is the life expectancy of a Basset Fauve de Bretagne?
The Fawn Colored Brittany Basset has an average lifespan of between 12 and 15 years which is pretty long.
Basset Fauve de Bretagne puppies
The average litter of a Basset Fauve has between 4 and 6 puppies but the number can be lower depending on the dam.
These puppies take around 12 months to reach their full size.
The growth chart below will help you better understand their growth progression;
Age | Male Weight (pounds) | Female Weight (pounds) |
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3 months | 11 | 9 |
6 months | 19 | 16 |
12 months | 28 | 25 |
18 months | 38 | 36 |
Note: The above growth chart is just an estimate.
One of these puppies will cost you $600 on average but the price will come down to the dog lines, breeder, and the location where you get the pup.
The cost for one of these Basset puppies could go as high as $3000 for superior pedigrees and top lines.
You want to make sure that you do not regret buying a Basset Fauve puppy and the best way to do this is by making sure that you gather enough information about the breed.
It is also crucial that you make sure you get a pup from a good and reputable breeder that will understand your needs.
Luckily, we have prepared a guide on how you can find a responsible and reputable breeder. Visit the article in the link to learn more.
Fawn Colored Brittany Basset grooming
Grooming a Basset Fauve is relatively easy and also very important.
Because this coat is wiry it does not tangle or mat but brushing twice a week will help reduce the amount of shedding.
Brushing also distributes essential oils on the coat and removes any loose hairs keeping it clean. It also acts as the ideal time to strengthen the bond between you and your Basset even further.
You should only bath the dog when it is completely necessary or when he gets into a muddy or smelly situation using a mild and hypoallergenic shampoo formulated for small canines.
After every 4 months, you may be needed to trim the coat to a more manageable size.
The hairs between the toes, around the ears and eyes, should also be trimmed.
Frequently check and clean the ears and in case there are any signs of infections do not hesitate to visit your vet.
Exercise requirements
If you have come this far, it shows that you are still interested in the breed and it is essential you get to understand his exercise needs.
About 30 minutes of activities will help meet his physical stimulation needs and you can achieve this in several ways;
- Going to 2 daily walks
- Playing in the yard
- Visiting the dog park and allowing this dog to play with others
- Playing some games such as fetch and agility training
Failure to meet his exercise needs will make him bored, hyperactive, and possibly very destructive.
Nutritional and dietary needs of the Basset Fauve de Bretagne
A healthy and well-balanced diet is equivalent to having and a healthy and happy pet.
For the Basset Fauve, you should choose a high-energy diet formulated for small dog breeds.
The diet should have all nutrients that the pooch needs.
Ask your vet for some dietary advice before deciding on what you are going to feed your Basset Fauve on, whether it is homemade or store-bought.
Basset Fauve de Bretagne Daily Food Consumption | |
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Calories | 1,200 |
Cups of Kibble | 🍗🍗🍗 |
You should, however, keep in mind that feeding him on the wrong diet or too much could make him gain excess weight and that is not something that we want to happen.
Training a Fawn Colored Brittany Basset
Having a training schedule for a Basset Fauve de Bretagne is very important as you get to offer the leadership that he needs. Failure to do this will only make the dog stubborn and he will think that he is the leader who he always wants to be.
Starting obedience training and training in general early is crucial because this dog can easily lose favor with new dog owners.
They can be stubborn but when you are consistent and always come up with creative ways to keep him interested in you during training you can easily achieve a lot.
The health concerns with a Basset Fauve de Bretagne
Just like any other dog breed, this Basset may be prone to some health conditions some of which are hereditary.
This is one of the reasons why you should always avoid getting these dogs from puppy mills or backyard breeders. These puppies tend to be susceptible to many health conditions because of bad breeding practices.
Once you get your puppy, frequent visits to the vet may be needed for check-ups and good care.
Here are some of the most common health issues in a Basset Fauve;
- Kidney problems
- Otitis Externa
- Corneal Ulcers
- Cataracts
- Epilepsy
Breed summary
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a fantastic small to a medium-sized dog that has an incredible personality packed in his small stature.
These dogs have wiry double coats and come in many colors that include fawn and red.
They may not be the best choice for people that commonly suffer from dog-related allergies.
Basset Fauves are super friendly dogs that cannot be depended on as guard dogs or watchdogs but will always protect the ones they love if they have to.
He will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to keep him happy.
I hope this dog breed guide was helpful to you.
If you have any other questions, you can leave them in the comment section below and also share your feedback and thoughts.
There you go, WOOF!
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