Among the most appealing of the AKC breeds, the endearing and instantly recognizable Basset Hound is a perennial favorite of dog lovers all over the world. This low-slung and low-key hound can be sometimes stubborn, but is always charming.

Smart, courageous and determined, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a serious hunter, easily adaptable to different types of game and terrain. It is equally an excellent companion dog, being cheerful, intelligent and eager to please.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a vivacious small French hunting hound known for a happy demeanor and durable constitution. Bred to work in a pack, PBGVs enjoy company and do well with other dogs and kids.

The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is a French scenthound. Somewhat active and never high-strung, yet GBGVs are busy dogs who don’t tire easily.

Bassett Hound Field Trials are exciting and a lot fun for the hound and huntsman. These events date back to the 1930's. Basset field trials are designed and conducted for the purpose of selecting those hounds that display sound quality and ability to the best advantage. Shortly after the formation of the Basset Hound Club [...]

It is generally acknowledged that the first Basset Hounds came to America from France. George Washington's friend Lafayette sent him hounds for pack hunting in America, and these hounds were probably the so-called Old Virginia Bench-Legged Beagles. Other imports in the early nineteenth century were obtained from France, but some also came from British packs [...]

Most people know a Basset Hound’s distinct look—soulful but droopy eyes, long, floppy ears, and a low-to-the-ground body that moves at a snail’s pace. What you might not know is that they’re also quite stubborn and possess superior scenting abilities – both of which make them incredible hunters! In fact, their innate [...]

Since 1937 Basset Hounds have competed in AKC field trials. To become a part of that history your first step is to decide which type of field trial you wish to compete in. There are Brace, Small Pack Option, Large Pack and Gundog Brace field trials. Brace trials, the oldest type of AKC Basset Hound field [...]

Basset Hounds must be at least six months of age to compete. Basset Hounds registered with the AKC, full or limited registration, are eligible to participate in AKC Basset Hound Field Trials. Basset Hounds recorded with the Purebred Alternative Listing Program/Indefinite Listing Privilege (PAL/ILP) are not eligible to participate. Basset Hounds with Conditional [...]

By Teresa Ralenkotter KasKade Rhythm of the Rain, CD, RE, OAJ, NJP, CA Call name: Rain -- DOB: 10-10-00 Owners: Teresa and Eleanor Ralenkotter, Robert Eugene McDonald Breeder: Robert Eugene McDonald Rain has always been an athletic Basset Hound, successfully competing in agility, obedience, and rally. However, when the all-breed Coursing Ability Test was [...]

By AKC Field Representative Jim Odle Bassett Hound Field Trials are exciting and a lot fun for the hound and huntsman. These events date back to the 1930's. Basset field trials are designed and conducted for the purpose of selecting those hounds that display sound quality and ability to the best advantage. Shortly after the [...]

An Introduction to Bassett Hound Field Trials by AKC Field Representative Jim Odle Just An Old Trophy by Doug Ljungren and Dan Hoke Introducing the Hunting Test - A Performance Event by Thad Makowski, BHCA Hunt Test Chairman

LATEST RULE CHANGES Tracking Collars Permitted (February 2022) Up To Four Trials Per Year (December 2020) Different Colored Collars for SP/LP (July 2020)   RULEBOOK Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedures for Basset Hounds

The spotlight shines on two hounds that are proving their breed can do it all, including Agility! Basset Hounds, Gus and Wylie, love the sport and running on their Freshman Agility League teams in New York, where they deliver super performances. Their owner, Brooke says it is not true that Bassets are sleepy, laid-back dogs [...]

All the forms and resources your club needs to host AKC Basset Hound Field Trials:   Basset Field Trial Event Forms Other Forms and Publications Event Application Junior Handler Certification Event Secretary Report Memo: Junior Handler Basset Field Trial Judges Book Cover Procedural Checklist for Event Committee Basset Hound Field Trial Report Page Dealing With [...]

All Dogs Can Enjoy Coursing! The Joy of the Chase by Carol Chittum New Event for the Wrinkled Sight Hounds -- Dogue de Bordeaux by Gale Bandsma Having a WONDERFUL Time With Their Dogs First Basset Hound to Earn CAT Title! by Teresa Ralenkotter Terv Scores an AKC First! by Debbie Eldredge. Reprinted from the [...]

In compliance with PCI regulations, the American Kennel Club (AKC) no longer accepts credit card information on paper forms. Please submit payment by check, money order, or complete your transaction securely online. Click below to see downloadable resources for each sport: Agility CAT Conformation Earthdog Fast CAT Basset Hound Field Trials Beagle Field Trials Dachshunds [...]

We love all dogs, but it's a fact that specific breeds are naturally better at performing certain functions than others. Some purpose-bred dogs have innate skills as hunting companions; others assist in the herding of livestock; and others serve as guardians of people and property. When you and your dog participate in a performance sport [...]

AKC Meet the Breeds events are a fun and educational way to spend a day with the whole family, and maybe even figure out which dog breed is right for you! If you are attending an AKC Meet the Breeds event, or are thinking about attending an event in the future, you can find out [...]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for AKC Virtual Top Dog Challenge III. This virtual conformation event is open to all AKC-recognized breeds and Miscellaneous class breeds. Best in Show and Best Puppy Michael Canalizo   Regular and Puppy Groups SPORTING Mr. Douglas A Johnson HOUND Mr. Eugene Blake [...]

Barbet Learn about Barbets [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations"] Barbet Club of America Ellen Rich, (248) 978-2715, eredavi@aol.com [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] Basenji Learn about Basenjis [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations"] Basenji Club of America Joe Carlson, 954-815-2143, ernursero@aol.com Basenji Rescue & Transport, Inc. [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] Basset Hound Learn [...]

Select each link below to view the materials [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Claudia Orlandi's Bio"] Claudia Orlandi has been involved in the dog fancy for over 60 years and has successfully bred Basset Hounds for over 35 years under the Topsfield prefix. She is dedicated to preservation breeding and to producing champion dogs for the bench and [...]

In its ongoing pursuit to recognize outstanding members of the fancy, The American Kennel Club Lifetime Achievement Awards were created and first awarded in 1999 to honor our very best. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate those individuals whose many years of dedication have led to significant contributions to our sport on a national [...]

The AKC currently registers 205 dog breeds. The chart below lists all AKC recognized breeds and the year they first became registrable with the AKC.  (last updated 1/1/26) DATE – BREED 1878 – Pointer  1878 – Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)  1878 – Spaniel (Clumber)  1878 – Spaniel (Cocker)  1878 – Setter (English)  1878 – Setter (Gordon)  1878 – Setter (Irish)  1878 – Spaniel (Irish Water)  1878 – Spaniel (Sussex)  1885 – Basset Hound  1885 – Beagle  1885 – Bloodhound  1885 – Bull Terrier  1885 – Collie  1885 – Dachshund [...]

Each year, The American Kennel Club recognizes and celebrates an outstanding purebred dog breeder with the Breeder of the Year Award. The award honors those breeders who have dedicated their lives to improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs. At a special presentation held during the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin [...]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) honored recipients of the AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards at the annual Delegates Meeting Luncheon, in conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida. The winners received an engraved silver Revere bowl. A larger Tiffany and Co. bowl, engraved with the names of all recipients past [...]

    Breed Rank Retrievers (Labrador) 1 German Shepherd Dogs 2 Retrievers (Golden) 3 French Bulldogs 4 Bulldogs 5 Poodles 6 Beagles 7 Rottweilers 8 Pointers (German Shorthaired) 9 Pembroke Welsh Corgis 10 Dachshunds 11 Yorkshire Terriers 12 Australian Shepherds 13 Boxers 14 Siberian Huskies 15 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 16 Great Danes 17 Miniature Schnauzers 18 Doberman Pinschers 19 Shih Tzu 20 Boston Terriers 21 Havanese 22 Bernese Mountain Dogs 23 Pomeranians 24 Shetland Sheepdogs 25 Brittanys 26 Spaniels (English [...]

CT Griffin Fielding, owned by Maureen Fielding of Canada, has also earned the championship title in AKC Tracking. AKC opened tracking events to dogs in the AKC Canine Partners program on Jan. 1, 2014. Charlene found now 13-year-old Maddie in the streets of Arlington, TX, 12 years ago.  The vet estimated her to be about 1 ½ years old.  Despite [...]

Two-year-old Scout is a Basset Hound-Cocker Spaniel mix who keeps his owner, Sarah Rose, busy. “Scout loves to do things like dock dive, swim in the lake with friends, and chase the squirrels! He's pretty quick so he gives them a run for their nuts!” Sarah Rose said. He also often joins his owner and [...]

Thirteen-year-old Maddie Dunn TD TDU VST and her owner Charlene Dunn of Arlington, TX, recently became the first Canine Partners team to earn the AKC Variable Surface Tracking title. Maddie also holds the Tracking Dog (TD) and the Tracking Dog Urban (TDU) titles. Charlene found Maddie in the streets of Arlington, almost 12 years ago in [...]