In reference to the Basset Hound, most of us know that the word, “basset” comes from the French word meaning “low,” but perhaps not as well known is that the suffix, “et,” in French translates to “rather,” or “very,” which serves to emphasize just how low the breed is to the ground. The breed was intended to be smaller and lower to the earth than other hounds not only to make them more successful in hunting small game like rabbits, but to do it in packs. Bassets working together in a pack are more effective at driving rabbits out from under cover.

As an aside, National Human Genome Research Institute researchers discovered that breeds like the Basset Hound with Achondroplasia (a form of dwarfism) have an extra copy of a specific gene that’s responsible for producing a growth protein referred to as FGF4.  The study suggests that having this extra gene causes an overproduction of FGF4 resulting in short legs. Researchers determined that the disproportionately short legs of at least 19 dog breeds can be traced back to one mutational event in the canine genome that probably happened between 300 and 15,000 years ago.

Stoneware Basset Hound pitcher by Nan Hamilton can be found for purchase here.