Artesian-Norman Basset

The origin of Norman Artesien Basset is related to all the other Basset breeds. The first mention of a Basset was made by Jacques du Fouilloux in the middle of the 16^th century in his famous book “La Venerie”. In this interesting book, Jacques du Fouilloux describes a low-height dog used against Badgers in the French region of Artois. At this time the word Basset was used to all kinds of low height hunting scent hounds and usually, there had a smooth coat or rough coat.

In the second half of 19^th century, the breeding of Basset dogs started to be more defined and was possible to see different kind of Basset dogs, that were the origin of the different French Bassets breeds, some of which have not reached our days.

Between these French Basset breeds, emerged a kind of scent hound of low height and smooth coat (bicolor or tricolor) named French Basset. Between the first French Basset breeders, the most popular were the Earl le Couteulx de Canteleu and Mr. Louis Lane, and the dogs bred by them were called Couteulx type and Lane type at the first time. Some years later, the Couteulx type was named Basset d’ Artois and the Lane type was named Basset Normand.

In 1924 the two types of Smooth Coated French Basset (Basset d’Artois and Basset Normand) were unified under the same standard with the name Basset Artésien-Normand.

In the development of the breed, there are very to mention to the Earl le Couteulx de Canteleu, Mr. Louis Lane, and Mr. Leon Verrier. The Earl le Couteulx de Canteleu was the founder of Basset d’Artois strain, Mr. Louis Lane was the founder of Basset Normand strain and Mr. Leon Verrier was the breeder that developed the Norman Artesien Basset from these two strains. Mr. Leon Verrier was also president of the French Basset Club and judge, so his influence was very important in the modern development of this breed.

Were they bred as working dogs?

From the beginning, the Norman Artesien Basset was bred as a scent hound, especially for the hunt of rabbits. It is important to remember that there were a lot of rabbits in France until the middle of 20^th century before the myxomatosis virus was released in France. Therefore, the Norman Artesien Basset was a very popular breed in France, and it was the most popular Basset breed in this country. After the spread of the myxomatosis virus in France the breed loose part of its utility because the number of rabbits decreased, and this reason explains that the number of Norman Artesien Basset decreased progressively over time.

What is specific about this breed’s appearance?

This breed is usually confused with other breeds such as the Basset Hound and the Beagle although Norman Artesien Basset is very different from these breeds. The most specific trait of Norman Artesien Basset is the short length of his legs, a trait that is shared with the other Basset breeds.

Is this a registered dog breed?

It is accepted by the FCI since its origins (breed standard number 34).

The Kennel Club and American Kennel Club have not recognised yet the Norman Artesien Basset, ad it is the only Basset breed besides Blue Gascony Basset that is not recognized by KC and AKC.

When were they accepted by their native kennel club?

Norman Artesien Basset was accepted by the Société Centrale Canine (French Kennel Club) at the beginning of the 20^th century.

Coat and Grooming

It is a rustic breed used to hunt, so it doesn’t need any special care. Anyway, it is very important to take care of their food intake. It is recommended to brush this dog once a week, and clean their ears to avoid problems like otitis externa. Nail cutting should be done if the dog doesn’t naturally wear them down while exercising. It is also very important to give Norman Artesien Basset the opportunity to make enough exercise all day.

It is a shorthaired coat breed, so Norman Artesien Basset sheds its coat two times every year (in the middle of spring and middle of autumn).

The grooming of Norman Artesien Basset is easy. A weekly brush and good feeding should be enough to have a dog with a nice and shiny coat. Excellent feeding, excellent care, and a lot of exercises are the most important to give good care for this breed. Also, it is important to remember that is a pack breed, so it is necessary to have other dogs to avoid separation anxiety when we are out of the home.

What colors are allowed?

Fawn with black blanket and white (“tricolor”) or fawn and white (“bi-colour). In the tricolored dog, the head should be largely covered with tan hair and show a circle of darker hairs on each temple. The black blanket or the black patches should be composed of solid black hairs or black hair with “grizzle” (realizing thus the former characteristic of “hare pied” or ”badger-pied”).

Excercise

Norman Artesien Bassets are very active dogs, so we should give them long walks. If the walks are in the city or near roads it is preferable to take the walk with a leash. In a big forest or in the countryside it is possible to let them free, although if a Norman Artesien Basset finds a scent, they will follow it.

As a scent hound, Norman Artesien Bassets love to walk in the forest and countryside following all kind of scent. They enjoy walking, running, jumping, swimming, and making a lot of exercises, but is a breed that will not go after a ball to bring it back, nor will it run beside us while we are running or cycling. They are not very obedient.

Inteligence

Norman Artesien Bassets are very intelligent, but their intelligence is not the same as in herding dogs.  They are intelligent to have their own decisions while they pursue a scent, so it is not a breed for obedience.

FUN FACT: Norman Artesien Bassets like the other scent hound breeds are not good for obedience, flyball, or herding. They could be good for rally or agility because they are dogs with great agility and stamina, but they are difficult to train.

Character

Norman Artesien Bassets are very friendly, but it is important to work with them since a puppy age.

They are pack hounds and they love to be around other dogs. Norman Artesien Bassets has hunt instinct, so it is best to introduce as from a puppy age if you have another animal at home such as cat, ferret, or rabbit. They are a very good choice for families with kids. 

Norman Artesien Bassets are calm dogs at home but very active outside. They are not very good as watchdogs, because they will welcome all the people with a wagging tail (postman included). As a scent hound, they are not dominant. Norman Artesien Bassets don't have a problem with living with other dogs and there are not problems by dominance between them.

Health problems

Norman Artesien Basset is a healthy breed. They usually live 13-15 years and they don't have big health problems. The two principal health issues are otitis externa and bloat.

Breeders

It is not a popular breed, so fortunately the puppy farmers are not interested in this breed. The most important is to buy the puppy from a reputable breeder involved with the breed.

Always it is important to ask the breeders about the puppy's parents and to see them before we buy the puppy. In this sense, I always advise all the people who are interested in buying a puppy to go to the breeder's home.

This breed was presented in collaboration with Mr. Mariano Galán - Morning Dew Sweepers Kennel

Photos by: Mr. Mariano Galán - Morning Dew Sweepers Kennel

World Dog Finder team