These hounds are exemplified by two types: -

1. Fino de Paris type. 2. Termino type.

Before proceeding to give the differences between the two types, it would be, perhaps, as well to understand how this has arisen. The following small pedigree table will show it:-

Although Guinevre and Theo were bred from Fino de Paris stock on the dam's side, they were of quite a different type from Fino de Paris, or any other hound imported from Comte Couteulx's kennels; but they much resembled Bellicent, another of Mons. Masson's hounds imported into this country, which is a proof that this peculiar type is indigenous in his kennels. They must, therefore, have resembled their sire, which belonged to Mons. Masson. Bearing this well in mind, it is very easy to see how these two nearly related but different types have arisen.

On the importation of Guinevre, Theo, and Vivien into this country, the first-named bitch was mated with Fino de Paris. Had Guinevre followed the common rules of breeding, she should have given birth to pups of Fino de Paris type, but she did not; she chose to present one of them (Bourbon) in her own form, the type of Monsieur Masson's kennel, and that which I call the Termino type. The other pup, Fino V., resembled his sire, with the addition of some of his dam's quality.

Bourbon, being mated with his aunt, Theo, thus virtually breeding into the Masson or Termino side of the house, produced Chopette, a bitch excelling even her sire in points which make him so different from his Fino de Paris brother, Fino V.

In Vivien we have a bitch of very weak Termino type, so 'complaisant' as to throw both types whichever way mated, but who will throw her own, as in the case of Jupiter, a poor type-producer. In this way have arisen the two Couteulx types that we have at present on our show-benches.

Fino De Paris Type Colour

Rich tricolour - hare-pie, lemon, and white. The first object which strikes us is the brilliancy and general evenness of the markings : the tan is deep ; the black, saddle-shaped on the back, running into tan on the buttocks.

Coat

Thick, strong, and at times crimped even to coarseness; stern feathered.

Head

In those unallied to the Termino hounds, flattish ; ears set on high and small, but should be domed. In those containing Termino blood, the head is large, well shaped ; ears hung low and of good size, with well-developed flews ; nose slightly inclined to be Roman.

Eye

Dark, sunken, and showing a prominent haw.

Bone

Good ; in those not too closely inbred, massive.

Legs

Torses, demi-torses, droites.

General Appearance

A fine large hound, of powerful physique.

Examples

In the first instance, Fino de Paris as a type. In the second, Fino V., VI., Pallas II., Fresco, Forester, Merlin, Clovis, Eve, Texas Fino, Wazir, Aryan, Laelaps, Fancy, Fiddler, Flora.

Termino Type

Colour

Tricolour (light), lemon-and-white, hare-pie, blue mottled. The tricolour of this hound is far less brilliant than in the preceding type, the tan being no longer so rich, whilst the black is distributed in uneven patches over the body, and, in addition to these markings, the hound is often "ticked," whilst frequently is to be seen a blue mottled appearance,

Coat

Short and fine ; no crimping.

Head

Domed, though in many of our best specimens this is not apparent.

Nose

Strongly Roman, and finer than in the Fino de Paris hounds.

Ears

Hung very low, and of immense length.

Flews

Well marked.

Eye

Dark, sunken, and hawed.

Bone

Somewhat light, except in one or two specimens.

Legs

Torses, demi-torses, droites, with an inclination to height.

General Appearance

A fine, upstanding hound, well put together, and of high breeding.

Examples

In the first instance, Termino (?), Guinevre, Bellicent. In the second degree, Bourbon, Chopette, Zeus, Beau, Beauclerc, Narcissus, Colinnette, Blondin, Dosia.

Lane Hounds

Colour

Light tricolour, lemon-and-white, hare-pie (with ticking).

Coat

Short, thick.

Head

Should be domed ; somewhat large and coarse.

Ears

Long, heavy, broad, and hung low.

Flews

Well marked.

Eye

Light.

Legs

Torses.

Bone

Enormous.

General Appearance

A very big, heavy Basset ; coarse and clumsy, with enormous chest development.

Examples

In the first instance, Ramono II. ; in the second instance, Gavotte, Blanchette II., Champion, Bavard, Chorister, Hannibal.

Griffons

Colour

Tricolour, blue-grey, hare-pie, lemon-and-white.

Coat

Thick, hard, wire-haired, and like that of the Otter-hound.

Head

Such as that of the Otter-hound, and well flewed.

Eye

Dark and hawed.

Ears

Long and pendulous, low hung.

Bone

Good.

Legs

Torses.

General Appearance

A strong, active hound, powerful, and well knit together.

Example

Ramoneau."

Readers of the foregoing interesting contribution, will readily see that type and fashion could each be defined; for in bis article Mr. Millais has described not merely one type of Basset, but (including the broken-haired Griffon) four, and has thereby proved that he had estimated his own ability too modestly. Perhaps the term "type" is too strong to apply to the slight variations described, which, in fact, amount merely to small differences in features, always showing variations in families. We would say of the Scottish Highlanders, they are of Celtic type; but the term would not be used to describe some minute difference that may have been observable between the Clan Macgregor and the Clan Macdonald. It is, however, the order of the day, in regard to dogs, to subdivide with such great minuteness that it is only given to those inspired with the peculiar afflatus of "the fancy" to appreciate every microscopic difference dealt with.