By the 16th century there existed in France four varieties of large hounds, the difference between them being most noticeably that of coat colour and texture. The four varieties were the white (du Roil, the fawn (de Bretagne), the grey (du St Louis) and the black. All of today's varieties of French hounds seem to stem from repeated crossings and mutations of these four types.

These Grand Fauves de Bretagne as they came to be known, were very large hounds standing between 70 and 74 cm at the shoulder. They were noted for their fire, dash and drive, particularly in the early stages ofa hunt. Their fearlessness, their fine nose, their resistance to the cold and wet and their ability to hunt their quarry, usually wild boar, in the thorny thickets of North West France. It would appear that the Grand Fauve is no longer represented in France, the only other representative being the Griffon Fauve De Bretagne (48-56 cm).

Turning now to the Basset (short legged) Fauve. There is considerable doubt how the overall size reduction, in particular the reduction in height by about half, was achieved (this also applies to the Basset Artesian- Normand, the Basset Blue de Gascogne and the, Basset Griffon Vendeen). One theory suggests it began by the selection of undersized specimens from a full sized liiter, another by breeding from the smallest and slowest over countless generations. However, it was achieved, there can be no doubt that by the late 19th century there were numerous packs made up of entirely of Basset Fauves.

By the end of World War Two the breed was in a sorry state in terms of numbers in France and had to be virtually re-created. The other two breeds used in this process were the red Wire Haired Dachshunds and the Basset Griffon Vendeen. Recovery was relatively swift and by 1985, 884 were registered with the French Kennel Club. This increased to 1500 by 1998 and was only exceeded in the Chiens Courants group by Beagles. Due to the dedicated efforts of breeders the breed was re-established and its popularity and success in the show ring increased dramatically, culminating.ln 1980 M. Georget's Basset Fauve de Bretagne, Mick, being awarded Best in Show at the World Show in Verona and the recent success in 1998 by Susanne Bloman with Venquest Femme Fatale.

The Breed in Britain

Given the breed's impressive reputation in the hunting field, it was inevitable that in the days when there was no restrictions upon the movements of dogs into this country, some Grand Fauves would be brought in to strengthen British, particularly Welsh, packs. There are many reports of this having been done, mostly these refer to Welsh Foxhound packs and it is certainly true that even today one occasionally sees hounds with Fauve characteristics. On occasions Otterhounds have been seen with remarkable resemblance to Grand Fauves, especially as regards to coat colour and texture. Unfortunately there is a distinct lack of reliable documentary evidence regarding such importation. There are also reports when the first Bretons left Wales many centuries ago they took their native hounds with them to France. These dogs were the ancestors of the dogs of Brittany.

The first Basset Fauve to be imported into this country was Naika Des Vielles Combes from France in 1982, to be followed two years later by Hercule ter Fist from Belgium and Fatima of Pooh Corner from the Netherlands. In 1987, Jolie Mogway of Pooh Corner was imported, also from the Netherlands. Both Niaka and Jolie Mogway were imported in whelp. Until very recently these four Fauves imported by Evan Roberts were our only bloodlines establishing the breed in this country. Recently six new imports have increased the blood lines A dog Unanime Van Gelbrich's Hoekje and a bitch Vanity Van Gelbrich's Hoekje were imported by Lana Johnson and Pan Aldous in 1994 the dogs were imported from the Netherlands. In 1997 four more dogs were imported from France. Moustique De La Ragotiere a dog by Judd, Makin and Rawiings, Master De La Meignaniere a dog and Miss De La Meignaniere a bitch imported by Goold and Ashby. Nivose De La Ragotiere a bitch imported by Mr Mrs Makin in 1998. Finally the latest import by Pam Aldous Dyfrig's Rowenbeny from Sweden.