Types of Basset Hounds

The AKC doesn't differentiate between members of the breed types, all go into the Basset Hound line so long as they meet the AKC Standard. Breeders often do look for the features. American Bassets seem to be more of the Foxhound type in the minds of most, but there are other types depending on traits. 

Form, the way a basset looks when absent of coloring, is the essence of the Basset Hound. Coloring schemes (Tri-colored, Red and White, and the rare Lemon, spotted, or solid colored fur) make no difference to type. Fur types, such as silky or wire hair, tight or loose, are merely a difference in style but not form. How much difference there is in Skin folding, ear length, and facial general droopiness, are all simply differences in style. Bone health problems and skin problems, as well as ear infections and eye troubles, happen.in all Basset types, some more than others.

	The American Basset Hound is often thought of as a Foxhound styled dog reduced in height and slightly exaggerated in places. What people often love most in Bassets are present in American Bassets. Long Ears, box shaped snout, and loose skin folds are all there. Americans tend to weigh in at sixty to eighty pounds.
	The Basset Artésien Normand variant is thought of as a different breed in other Kennel Club Systems. This type tends to be narrower in the head features and have a tighter coat. Normand Bassets can get heavy, above eighty pounds, but often have few bone health issues.  They are also quite clever and very strong willed.
	The European is a wildly exaggerated Basset Hound. These can be very large dogs, some weighing one-hundred pounds. Everything is heavier in appearance. Bone health and skin problems are often problems in older European Bassets. But these are the big money Basset.
	The Griffon Basset is quite the same as any other Basset Hound in general form, but carries a long coat which disqualifies it in the AKC Standard for Basset Hounds. The AKC treats this Basset as two distinctly different breeds. The wonderful Petite Basset Griffon Vandeen (PBGV) and the Petite Basset Griffon, which is smaller.

Below is the AKC Standard. I highlighted a few things. 

So long as your Basset conforms to the AKC Standard, you have a Basset Hound:

General Appearance: The Basset Hound possesses in marked degree those characteristics which equip it admirably to follow a trail over and through difficult terrain. It is a short-legged dog, heavier in bone, size considered, than any other breed of dog, and while its movement is deliberate, it is in no sense clumsy. In temperament it is mild, never sharp or timid. It is capable of great endurance in the field and is extreme in its devotion.

Head: The head is large and well proportioned. Its length from occiput to muzzle is greater than the width at the brow. In overall appearance the head is of medium width. The skull is well domed, showing a pronounced occipital protuberance. A broad flat skull is a fault. The length from nose to stop is approximately the length from stop to occiput. The sides are flat and free from cheek bumps. Viewed in profile the top lines of the muzzle and skull are straight and lie in parallel planes, with a moderately defined stop. The skin over the whole of the head is loose, falling in distinct wrinkles over the brow when the head is lowered. A dry head and tight skin are faults. The muzzle is deep, heavy, and free from snipiness. The nose is darkly pigmented, preferably black, with large wide-open nostrils. A deep liver-colored nose conforming to the coloring of the head is permissible but not desirable. The teeth are large, sound, and regular, meeting in either a scissors or an even bite. A bite either overshot or undershot is a serious fault. The lips are darkly pigmented and are pendulous, falling squarely in front and, toward the back, in loose hanging flews. The dewlap is very pronounced. The neck is powerful, of good length, and well arched. The eyes are soft, sad, and slightly sunken, showing a prominent haw, and in color are brown, dark brown preferred. A somewhat lighter-colored eye conforming to the general coloring of the dog is acceptable but not desirable. Very light or protruding eyes are faults. The ears are extremely long, low set, and when drawn forward, fold well over the end of the nose. They are velvety in texture, hanging in loose folds with the ends curling slightly inward. They are set far back on the head at the base of the skull and, in repose, appear to be set on the neck. A high set or flat ear is a serious fault.

Forequarters: The chest is deep and full with prominent sternum showing clearly in front of the legs. The shoulders and elbows are set close against the sides of the chest. The distance from the deepest point of the chest to the ground, while it must be adequate to allow free movement when working in the field, is not to be more than one-third the total height at the withers of an adult Basset. The shoulders are well laid back and powerful. Steepness in shoulder, fiddle fronts, and elbows that are out, are serious faults. The forelegs are short, powerful, heavy in bone, with wrinkled skin. Knuckling over of the front legs is a disqualification. The paw is massive, very heavy with tough heavy pads, well rounded and with both feet inclined equally a trifle outward, balancing the width of the shoulders. Feet down at the pastern are a serious fault. The toes are neither pinched together nor splayed, with the weight of the forepart of the body borne evenly on each. The dewclaws may be removed.

Body: The rib structure is long, smooth, and extends well back. The ribs are well sprung, allowing adequate room for heart and lungs. Flatsidedness and flanged ribs are faults. The topline is straight, level, and free from any tendency to sag or roach, which are faults.

Hindquarters: The hindquarters are very full and well rounded, and are approximately equal to the shoulders in width. They must not appear slack or light in relation to the overall depth of the body. The dog stands firmly on its hind legs showing a well-let-down stifle with no tendency toward a crouching stance. Viewed from behind, the hind legs are parallel, with the hocks turning neither in nor out. Cowhocks or bowed legs are serious faults. The hind feet point straight ahead. Steep, poorly angulated hindquarters are a serious fault. The dewclaws, if any, may be removed.

Tail: The tail is not to be docked, and is set in continuation of the spine with but slight curvature, and carried gaily in hound fashion. The hair on the underside of the tail is coarse.

Size: The height should not exceed 14 inches. Height over 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulder blade is a disqualification.

Gait: The Basset Hound moves in a smooth, powerful, and effortless manner. Being a scenting dog with short legs, it holds its nose low to the ground. Its gait is absolutely true with perfect coordination between the front and hind legs, and it moves in a straight line with hind feet following in line with the front feet, the hocks well bent with no stiffness of action. The front legs do not paddle, weave, or overlap, and the elbows must lie close to the body. Going away, the hind legs are parallel.

Coat: The coat is hard, smooth, and short, with sufficient density to be of use in all weather. The skin is loose and elastic. A distinctly long coat is a disqualification.

Color: Any recognized hound color is acceptable and the distribution of color and markings is of no importance.

Disqualifications: Height of more than 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulder blade. Knuckled over front legs. Distinctly long coat.