Basset hounds are a marvelous breed to show in conformation competition. They are the original wash-and-wear breed: a quick bath, a few swipes with a hound's glove, and a little trimming around their legs and tail make them more than ring-ready. (Compare that to the seven or eight hours required to prepare a poodle!) Bassets have traditionally been a breed which can be successfully handled to their championships by non-professionals. Many of us suspect that this happy circumstance is due to the fact that basset hounds are the Great Levelers of the dog show world: the best professional and the rankest amateur often look equally silly attempting to convince a stubborn hound to stand nicely. Still, the thrill of watching a beautifully-moving basset strut around the ring is one not to be equalled by many other experiences. When bassets are good, they are very very good!

A Pictorial Representation of the Basset Standard

The Field Trial Hound (by Marge Skolnick)

Thoughts on Judging Breed (by Andrea McE. Field)

A Look at the Basset Hound (by Dr. Leonard Skolnick)

Conformation books for purchase through amazon.com: all proceeds donated to basset hound rescue

Conformation Information
on the Web

The basset standard, which (along with the standards of all other AKC recognized breeds) is kept at the AKC web site

BHCA's Basset Hound University will help you learn about the proper conformation of a basset hound

Check out the current conformation point schedule for basset hounds

BHCA's What Is a Dog Show?, A Look at the Basset, and For the Basset Judge are useful resources

For the novice, AKC's A Beginner's Guide to Dog Shows can help whet your appetite for things to come

In order to show bassets, you have to get to dog shows. AKC provides a useful page listing some events and activities

For some peculiar reason, dog clubs are especially popular among conformation exhibitors. Take a look at AKC's information about show and obedience clubs to find one near you

Cindy Tittle Moore's conformation FAQ is a classic Internet resource

Last updated November 30, 2008