The Basset Hound first made it's appearance in the sixth-century in France. France was known for many strains of hounds, each one was a response to the locals hunting conditions and terrain. Most strains of the French hounds had both tall and short-legged versions, the short-legged dogs were known as "bassets", since "bas" means "low" in French (makes sence to me :D). The taller hounds were followed on horseback, with a mission to hunt down wolf, boar, stag and deer. The low-set "basset" hounds were with the hunters on foot, searching for smaller game in thick cover.
The basset has a keen nose and being so close to the ground helped them to work difficult, cold trails and easily follow and hold the line of scent that faster hounds might overrun. The slower-moving, mild-tempered Basset hounds did not attack and kill their prey but rather drove it into the open to the hunters. Way to go Basset!!!
*When our chickens get out, the Basset's that are around will help us round them up by running them down and keeping them in one spot until we get to them. They have never hurt a chicken. We love our Basset Hounds!!!
