It is at least sufficiently comprehensive and exact to serve as a
guide:--

* * * * *

"The Basset, for its size, has more bone, perhaps, than nearly any
other dog.

"The skull should be peaked like that of the Bloodhound, with the
same dignity and expression, the nose black (although some of my own
have white about theirs), and well flewed. For the size of the hound
I think the teeth are extremely small. However, as they are not
intended to destroy life, this is probably the reason.

"The ears should hang like the Bloodhound's, and are like the softest
velvet drapery.

"The eyes are a deep brown, and are brimful of affection and
intelligence. They are pretty deeply set, and should show a
considerable haw. A Basset is one of those hounds incapable of
having a wicked eye.

"The neck is long, but of great power; and in the _Basset a jambes
torses_ the flews extend very nearly down to the chest. The chest
is more expansive than even in the Bulldog, and should in the _Bassets
a jambes torses_ be not more than two inches from the ground. In the
case of the _Bassets a jambes demi-torses_ and _jambes droites_, being
generally lighter, their chests do not, of course, come so low.

"The shoulders are of great power, and terminate in the crooked feet
of the Basset, which appear to be a mass of joints. The back and ribs
are strong, and the former of great length.

"The stern is carried gaily, like that of hounds in general, and when
the hound is on the scent of game this portion of his body gets
extremely animated, and tells me, in my own hounds, when they have
struck a fresh or a cold scent, and I even know when the foremost
hound will give tongue.

"The hind-quarters are very strong and muscular, the muscles standing
rigidly out down to the hocks.

"The skin is soft in the smooth haired dogs, and like that of any
other hound, but in the rough variety it is like that of the
Otterhound's.

"Colour, of course, is a matter of fancy, although I infinitely prefer
the tricolour, which has a tan head and a black and white body."

CHAPTER XXVII

THE DACHSHUND

Persons unfamiliar with the sporting properties of this long-bodied
breed are apt to refer smilingly to the Dachshund as "the dog that
is sold by the yard," and few even of those who know him give credit
to the debonair little fellow for the grim work which he is intended
to perform in doing battle with the vicious badger i