Basset Hound

A French breed whose name comes from "bas," meaning "low" in French, referring to its short stature relative to its body length. It was developed to hunt hares and rabbits in dense, thick terrain, where taller, faster dogs would struggle — the Basset makes up for its lack of speed with an extraordinary sense of smell, considered the second best of any breed, behind only the Bloodhound.

Its elongated body and very short legs make it move slowly, but with great stamina and persistence in following a scent trail, traits that were ideal for hunters on foot to keep pace with the pack without losing sight of it.

It's a calm, affectionate dog, very sociable with people and other dogs, making it great for families, though it can be stubborn in training since it tends to follow its nose rather than its owner's commands. Its long ears and spinal structure require specific care: regular ear cleaning and strict weight control to reduce the risk of disc problems.