GROUP 4 - HOUNDS

Brief History
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne originated in the South of France in a place called Brittany. They were bred for hunting as scent hounds to smell, track and locate prey. They were bred to hunt deer, rabbits and wild boar. They are affectionately called Fauves for short.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 12 to 15 years.

Temperament
Sociable, affectionate, courageous. May be stubborn.

General Breed Description
Medium sized, wire-haired hound, short on leg and longer in back. They are the shortest backed basset variety. Short and stocky with a rustic outlook. Fauves are a lively hound, very energetic and playful. They just love being with their human family and if you are energetic, they will want to join in on activities. On the other hand, they are also happy to be an inside dog and sleep on the couch or at your feet. However, they are still a scent hound and love to chase a scent. They are not reliable off lead and therefore need lots of training before being trusted to be off lead.

The Fauve colour is fawn, from golden wheat to red brick in hue.

Coat and Care Requirements
The Fauve has a harsh, coarse coat which repels dirt, which is great if they are digging, as the dirt falls straight out of the coat. They do require stripping to prevent hair from shedding. It is recommended you strip them out once a year. This can be done by hand or using a stripping knife. We do not recommend clippers as this softens the coat. Fauves have varied coats with some fairly short, some medium and some longer. The longer the coat the more maintenance is required, and this coat tends to be a little softer in contrast, so therefore does not repel the dirt as much. The shorter and harsher the coat, the less maintenance they require.

Good fencing is required as the scenting instinct can make them stray if not restricted.

Size
Height: 32 to 38cms (12.6 to 15.5ins).

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Fauve is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. Epilepsy was reported in Europe in the early 1980’s. Due to the diligence of the European breeders there are very few cases of epilepsy noted today in this breed.

Suitability
The Fauve is suitable for someone who wants an active dog or a good companion. They are the perfect family dog. A Fauve can also be suitable for elderly people as long as they have a little bit of space to exercise.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/129