Basset Fauve de Bretagne | Pictures, Traits & Facts

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a purebred that has a small, stocky body. It has a long head with a black or brown nose and brown eyes. Its ears are floppy, and it had a sickle-shaped tail. It’s only available in the color fawn, but it can range in hue from a wheat color to red.

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is intelligent and is capable of following commands and learning new tricks. It excels at hunting and won the French Cup multiple times. They have exceptional hunting skills and ae tireless in action. If they pick up a scent, they will likely follow it until its conclusion no matter what else they might be doing.

Basset Fauve de Bretagne Puppies

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a rare breed, so if you’ve decided you want this dog, be prepared to do lots of searching and possibly, be on a waitlist for some time. You can always ask your local shelter for a Basset Hound mix, which will save you lots of money and you’ll change a puppy’s life too.

Basset Fauve de Bretagne dogs tend to be very energetic and playful. Be ready to provide enough exercise and mental stimulation to avoid boredom. They need space to run and play, and if they don’t get the amount of exercise they need, you might find them chewing on furniture. Be careful if you have small animals in your home since the Basset Fauve de Bretagne has the instinct to hunt small animals. Early socialization and training are essential for your dog to grow into a happy dog.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Basset Fauve de Bretagne

1. The Basset Fauve de Bretagne originally came from France.

2. The Basset Fauve de Bretagne didn’t arrive in America until 2001.

3. Black and white patches on their coat can reduce their ability to stay hidden during the hunt.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Basset Fauve de Bretagne 🧠

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a focused hunter that is relentless once it obtains a scent. It’s also friendly and a natural companion for children because it’s not too large that it frightens children or knocks them over, but not so small it can be injured.

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is also very intelligent and can learn new tricks very quickly, and are good at getting what they want, but many owners mention that they are challenging to housebreak. It can become stubborn at times, or even run off it picks up a scent.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is very friendly and curious, so they make great family pets. They like to play with children and will watch over the house in the evening when everyone is asleep. You can train them to get the newspaper, and slippers, so they are also good companions for the elderly, and they only bark when there is an intruder in the yard so they won’t bother the neighbors.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne hunts small animals, so you will need to socialize them at a young age to prevent them from chasing your other pets. After they are properly socialized, they get along very well with other pets, and there is no cause for concern. They may occasionally chase your cats around, but it’s purely for fun and they won’t harm them.

Things to Know When Owning a Basset Fauve de Bretagne

Here are some things every Basset Fauve de Bretagne owner should consider.

Food and Diet Requirements 🦴

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a small but stocky dog and can eat a surprising amount of food, which can lead to obesity without carefully controlled portions. We recommend a high-quality dry dog food because dry kibble helps to clean your pet’s teeth while providing a complete and balanced meal for your pet. Avoid foods with a lot of unknown ingredients, meat byproduct, and harmful preservatives like BHA. Your dog has a very sensitive digestive system, and even artificial coloring can cause an allergic reaction in some dogs.

We recommend a brand formulated for small breeds to help them get the extra nutrition they require, especially during the puppy years. The kibble for small dogs is also better suited to fit in their mouth and clean teeth.

Exercise 🐕

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a tireless hunter and has a nearly unbelievable amount of energy at its disposal. Not providing a way to expend this energy can result in chewed furniture or rugs, and they tend to misbehave in other ways as well.

Expect to spend 45 minutes to an hour a day engaging your Basset Fauve de Bretagne in exercise to keep them fit and help burn off excess energy. They will require mental stimulation as well as physical, and games that work their mind are important.

Training 🦮

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne likes to do tricks for food, which makes them extremely willing and easy to train. They will often remember the last training session and start performing tricks spontaneously when they want a treat or attention. They do have a stubborn and independent side as well that might not feel like learning on some days. If they pick up a strange scent while training will also take their concentration and they may wander off searching for the origin.

Grooming ✂️

Basset Fauve de Bretagne’s will require a moderate amount of grooming that mostly consists of regular brushing to keep the coat looking nice and tangle-free. Bathing is not necessary unless they get into something or start to develop a musty smell. Daily tooth brushing will help prevent gum disease and bad breath, and you will also need to trim their nails regularly to make it easier for them to walk and prevent scratches to the floor and furniture.

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a healthy breed with a long lifespan, but there are still a few problems common to this breed that we’ll look at in this section.

Ear Infections

Ear infections are common in dogs that have floppy ears like the Basset Fauve de Bretagne. The ears tend to hold moisture, which can grow bacteria, leading to infection. Symptoms of an ear infection include shaking their head and scratching. The ears may also become red and inflamed. Your pet will require an examination to determine what type of infection is present and what the best course of treatment is. Prevention is the best treatment and keeping your dog’s ears clean and dry are vital to preventing infection as well as detecting infection early.

Cataracts

Cataracts are an eye condition that causes the lens to become foggy because of water and protein changes in the eye. The cloudy eye will prevent light from entering, which can lead to blurred vision and eventual blindness. In some cases, other diseases like diabetes cause cataracts, and sometimes it’s a result of genetics. Early detection is key to managing the disease.

Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is a rare but serious condition that causes a decline in the kidney’s function. Improper diet, certain medications, and ingesting antifreeze are all known to cause kidney disease, and sometimes it occurs naturally as a result of old age. Vomiting, weight loss, and a change in the amount of fluids your pet drinks are common signs of kidney disease and will require a trip to the vet.

Corneal Ulcers

A corneal ulcer is a wound on the surface of the cornea. The cornea has three layers, and the seriousness of the condition is dependant on how many layers are affected. Abrasions affecting only the top layer are not considered serious and is usually treatable. Abrasions affecting more layers may present a more significant problem and may become a long-term problem. Te most common causes of a corneal ulcer are rough play with other animals and running through dense brush.

Male vs Female

There is very little difference between the male and female Basset Fauve de Bretagne. Both are generally the same size and weight and have the same temperament.

Summary

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a great family dog that may prove to be stubborn and independent at times but makes a great companion for the entire family. They are tireless trackers and love to perform for food. They may chase and bark at small animals in the yard but will generally get along with other house pets, especially if socialized early. They are also relatively inexpensive for a pure breed.

We hope that you have enjoyed reading, and we have helped you find your next pet. If you have never heard of or learned something new about the Basset Fauve de Bretagne, please share this post on Facebook and Twitter.

• See Also: 10 Dog Breeds With Floppy Ears (With Pictures)

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Featured Image Credit: Bokehboo Studios, Shutterstock