Members
01/Overview
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a small French scent hound developed for hunting over difficult terrain. It has a rough, wiry coat, a compact build, and the stamina to work for long periods in the field.
The breed is energetic, friendly, curious, and determined. Bassets Fauves de Bretagne need regular exercise, consistent training, and opportunities to use their strong sense of smell.
Highlights
02/History
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne originated in Brittany, France, and descends from the larger Fauve de Bretagne hounds that were used for hunting game in the region. As hunting practices changed, smaller, shorter-legged hounds were developed to work more effectively on foot with hunters.
The breed became particularly valued for hunting rabbits and hares, although it was also capable of pursuing larger game. Its compact size, endurance, strong nose, and determined hunting style allowed it to work through dense vegetation and rough countryside.
Like many European breeds, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne declined in numbers during the World Wars. Dedicated French breeders worked to preserve and rebuild the breed during the 20th century, maintaining its characteristic rough coat, scenting ability, and working temperament.
The breed gradually became established outside France, particularly in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe. Today, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne remains both a working scenthound and a companion, and it also participates in Conformation Shows and other organized dog activities.
03/Appearance
The adult Basset Fauve de Bretagne typically stands 12.5 to 15.5 inches tall at the withers and weighs approximately 23 to 39 pounds.
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a small, compact scenthound with a long body and relatively short legs. The breed should appear sturdy and athletic rather than heavy or exaggerated.
The chest is deep, the ribs are well developed, and the body has enough substance to support endurance in the field. The overall build should allow the dog to move freely through rough terrain while maintaining balance and agility.
The tail is set high, thick at the base, and tapers toward the end. It is carried in a slight sickle shape when the dog is moving and should not curl tightly over the back.
Skull: The Basset Fauve de Bretagne has a moderately long skull that is slightly domed, with a clearly defined but not exaggerated stop.
Expression: The expression is lively, alert, and intelligent.
Eyes: The eyes are dark brown and set well into the head, giving the breed a keen and attentive expression.
Ears: The ears are set at eye level or slightly below, carried close to the head, and extend forward toward the end of the nose. They are covered with finer, shorter hair than the body.
Muzzle: The muzzle is strong and slightly tapering, without appearing pointed.
Nose: The nose is black or dark brown, with well-opened nostrils.
Bite: The teeth are strong and meet in a complete scissors bite, though a level bite is tolerated.
Texture: The Basset Fauve de Bretagne has a harsh, dense, and wiry coat that lies fairly close to the body. The coat should not be woolly or overly long.
Standard Colors
Standard Markings
04/Consider
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is active, curious, friendly, and strongly driven by scent. The breed needs regular exercise, consistent training, secure containment, and opportunities to explore and use its nose.
Its wiry coat is relatively easy to maintain, but routine grooming, dental care, nail trimming, and regular health checks remain important.
Interaction With Family
The level of affection a breed typically shows towards family members and familiar individuals.
Good With Other Dogs
The innate friendliness of a dog towards other dogs can depend on its breed.
Good With Young Children
The degree to which a breed will typically be patient with young children.
Amount Of Shedding
How much hair a breed typically leaves behind on clothes, furniture and floors.
Frequency Of Grooming
How often a breed needs brushing, bathing or a professional trim to stay in condition.
Amount Of Drooling
How prone a breed is to drool — worth knowing before you keep a towel by the door.
Openness To Strangers
How openly a breed tends to greet new people, visitors and strangers.
Protective Nature
How likely a breed is to alert you to — and stand between you and — anything unfamiliar.
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic a breed stays about games and play well past puppyhood.
Trainability Level
How readily a breed takes direction and works with you rather than around you.
Barking Level
How much a breed uses its voice, and how readily.
Energy Level
How much get-up-and-go a breed brings to an average day.
Health
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is generally a hardy breed with a typical lifespan of about 13 to 16 years. Preventive veterinary care, balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can help support long-term health.
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is friendly, outgoing, curious, and determined. As a scenthound, it tends to be independent and may become focused on an interesting smell.
The breed is usually affectionate with its family and can be social with people and other dogs. Early socialization supports confidence and encourages good manners in different situations.
Exercise Expectations
Around 45 to 60 minutes of activity each day is a reasonable goal for many healthy adults, depending on age and fitness. Exercise should include opportunities to use the breed’s natural scenting ability. Off-leash activity should take place only in securely enclosed areas because the breed may follow a scent and ignore attempts to call it back.
Grooming Expectations
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne can adapt well to family life when given enough exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. The breed is generally social and enjoys being involved in everyday household activities.
A securely fenced yard is helpful, but it does not replace daily walks and interaction. Because of its strong scenting instincts, the breed should not be allowed to roam freely in unsecured areas.
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is best suited to people who appreciate an active, independent scenthound and are prepared to provide regular exercise, consistent training, and secure containment.
05/Puppies
Basset Fauve de Bretagne puppies are active, curious, and quick to explore their surroundings. Early socialization, consistent routines, and positive training are important, especially because their scenting instincts and independent nature develop early.
Puppies should have a regular schedule that includes meals, potty breaks, naps, play, and short training sessions. A crate or secure puppy area can help with housetraining and provide a safe place to rest.
Early socialization should include positive exposure to different people, well-mannered dogs, household sounds, surfaces, vehicles, and new environments. Training can begin with name response, recall, leash walking, housetraining, and basic cues.
Puppies should receive a complete and balanced diet formulated for growth, usually divided into several small meals each day. Exercise should focus on short walks, supervised play, and gentle exploration rather than prolonged or strenuous activity.
Routine veterinary care, vaccinations, parasite prevention, nail trimming, ear checks, tooth brushing, and regular coat care should also begin during puppyhood.
06/Activities
Bassets Fauves de Bretagne are active scent hounds that can enjoy activities involving movement, tracking, and problem-solving. Here are some of the dog sports and activities in which the breed may participate:
Scent Work: Bassets Fauves de Bretagne can use their strong sense of smell to locate specific odors in different environments.
Tracking: Tracking allows the breed to follow a scent trail and use its natural hunting instincts.
Rally: Rally Obedience combines obedience exercises with movement through a course and can provide both physical and mental stimulation.
Obedience: With consistent training, the breed can participate in Obedience and demonstrate reliable responses to a handler.
Conformation Shows: Bassets Fauves de Bretagne compete in Conformation Shows, where judges evaluate each dog according to the Breed Standard.
Trick Dog: Trick training can provide mental stimulation and help strengthen communication between the dog and handler.
Canine Good Citizen: The breed may participate in programs that evaluate everyday manners and appropriate behavior around people and other dogs.
Hiking and Exploring: Long walks, hikes, and supervised exploration can provide useful exercise and allow the breed to use its natural scenting ability.
Gallery
07/Standards
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is recognized by the world’s leading registries and kennel organizations, which categorize the breed into a specific Group based on its unique characteristics. This breed is recognized worldwide under the following Group designations:
The ideal Basset Fauve de Bretagne is described by a Breed Standard that is approved by each of the world’s leading registries and kennel organizations. The Standards for this breed may be found in the following links:
08/Clubs
Basset Fauve de Bretagne clubs support breed education, preservation, responsible breeding, health initiatives, and participation in Conformation Shows and other activities.
Basset Fauve de Bretagne Club of America: Established in 2013, this is the national breed club for the Basset Fauve de Bretagne in the United States and the breed’s AKC parent club.
Basset Fauve de Bretagne Club: Founded in 1991, this club promotes and supports the breed in the United Kingdom through dog shows and educational initiatives.
09/Rescue
Because the Basset Fauve de Bretagne is relatively uncommon in North America, dedicated breed-specific rescue organizations are limited. Rescue assistance is often coordinated through breed clubs, individual volunteers, or broader hound rescue networks.
Basset Fauve de Bretagne Club of America: The AKC parent club can be a useful resource for information about Bassets Fauves de Bretagne that may need rehoming or rescue assistance in the United States.
Basset Fauve de Bretagne Club: The breed club in the United Kingdom may provide guidance or contacts for Bassets Fauves de Bretagne needing new homes.
Bassets Fauves de Bretagne may also occasionally be available through local shelters, scenthound rescue organizations, and national adoption databases. These resources can provide additional options for people interested in adopting the breed.
10/Facts
Bred for Hunting
The breed was used primarily for hunting rabbits and hares, while also being capable of pursuing larger game.
Built for Rough Terrain
Its short legs, compact body, and stamina allowed it to work effectively through dense cover and uneven countryside.
Strong Scenting Ability
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne has the keen nose and persistence expected of a traditional scent hound.
Still Used as a Working Hound
Although kept as a companion and show dog today, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne continues to be used for hunting in parts of Europe.
11/FAQ
Bassets Fauves de Bretagne can make good pets for active households. They are generally friendly, affectionate, and social, but they need regular exercise and consistent training.
Breed standard
The official AKC standard for this breed will be published soon.
Meet the Breeders
Afterhours Kennel’s Alexis & Christi Chism share their passion for GWPs & BFdBs, breeding with purpose, health, and legacy in mind.
Meet the Junior Handlers
Meet Rose Wentzel, a passionate Junior Handler from PA, showing Basset Fauve De Bretagnes & Beagles with heart and dedication.
Meet the Breeders
Cindy Hartman is the breeder behind the Aahroo Kennel. Read about the kennel’s beginnings, the champions, the puppies, and much more!
Meet the Breeders
Alexis Chism is the breeder behind Afterhours Kennel. Read about the kennel’s beginnings, puppies, and much more!
All About Judging
Explore the Basset Fauve de Bretagne Club’s 2023 event in Villeréal, France. Witness quality Fauves and their evaluation in their homeland.
American Kennel Club (AKC)
Effective June 28, 2023, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne has been granted eligibility to participate in the AKC Miscellaneous Class. Read more.
Dog Sports
Basset Fauve de Bretagne is truly a versatile scenthound. Known to be smart, the breed possesses a strong hunting instinct and hardiness.
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is truly a versatile little hound from France. Known to be wicked-smart, hardy and obedient.
A Note About Color: Solid-colored ranging from light fawn, golden wheaten, to red brick in hue. A few black hairs dispersed on the back, ears, and tail are tolerated as is a small white star on the chest, but this is not desirable.
Coat Type
Wiry, Double
The structure of the coat this breed carries.
Coat Length
Medium
How long the breed's coat grows when kept in condition.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed copes with changes in home, routine, noise and weather.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How much a breed needs a job, a puzzle or training to stay content.
A Basset Fauve de Bretagne should receive a complete and balanced diet appropriate for its age, activity level, and body condition. Portions should be measured to prevent excessive weight gain.
Most adults do well with two meals per day, while puppies generally need several smaller meals. Treats can be used during training, but should remain a limited part of the daily calorie intake.
Fresh water should always be available, especially after exercise or time spent outdoors.
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is intelligent but can also be independent and easily distracted by scent. Training should be consistent, patient, and based on positive reinforcement.
Short sessions with food rewards, praise, and variety usually work best. Early training should focus on recall, leash manners, housetraining, basic cues, and calm behavior around people and other dogs.
Because the breed has strong hunting instincts, reliable recall can be challenging. Secure areas and leash control are important when outdoors.
The coat may also benefit from occasional hand-stripping to maintain its texture. Bathing can be done as needed, particularly after outdoor activity. The ears should be checked regularly, especially because hanging ears can trap moisture and debris. Nails should be trimmed periodically, and teeth should be brushed routinely.
