A low-set hunting dog breed with short legs and long ears, bred for tracking small game.
From French basset, diminutive of bas (low), from Latin bassus (short, low). The breed was developed in 16th century France specifically for hunters on foot who needed slower-moving hounds.
The bassett hound's distinctive appearance is entirely functional - those long ears sweep scents toward their nose, while their short legs keep them moving at a pace humans can follow. Their name literally means 'little low one' in French, perfectly capturing their ground-hugging hunting style.
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