15 Amazing Facts About Basset Hounds You Probably Never Knew

The Basset Hound is a massive busty “Briton” hound with an extremely low stance and initial ears.

The French word “bas,” meaning “low,” is where the word “basset” comes from. The suffix -et in French translates to “rather” or “very,” emphasizing how low this breed is to the ground.

Breeders intended the short-legged basset hounds to be smaller and lower than typical hounds because their short stature makes them more effective hunting companions when pursuing small game like rabbits.

All basset hounds have achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism in humans and sometimes dogs, that’s characterized by genetically abnormal bone and cartilage growth.