Scent hounds prevented to compete due to the length of their ears
The Issue
Bloodhounds, bassets and other scent hounds originated in the Abbey of St. Hubert around the 6th century. Their long ears are indispensable part of their incredible capacity to track, sending the scents to their noses. Later dogs with short legs were selected to follow on foot. By the 16th century bassets had become so popular that William Shakespeare dedicated a sonnet to them in his " Midsummer Night's Dream: "My hounds are bred out of Spartan kind, so flewed, so sanded and their heads are hung, with ears that sweep away the morning dew, crook-kneed and dew-lapped like Thessalian bulls, slow in per suit , but matched in mouth like bells ".
Unfortunately, regarding the Bundessiegershow in Dortmund, in September 2026, the German local government veterinarian of Westfalen decided that the ears are not allowed to touch the ground when the dog's nose is leaning to sniff. This new ruling goes against at least 15 breed standards which state that ears should reach beyond the end of the muzzle.
As a basset hound owner for about 45, breeder for more than 30 and veterinarian for more than 20 years I can state that I do not see any health issues related to the exact length of the ears. Not saying they should be extremely long but that was never asked for.
On Friday November 6th 2026, 3 basset hounds in excellent health condition were prevented to be judged for having ears that touched the ground when sniffing.
By doing so, the organizers went against the approved breed standard of the FCI, and this being a CACIB show it should not be possible.
This is the first time world wide that the basset hound as recognized breed is excluded from participating at a CACIB show creating a very dangerous precedent and opening the door to more discriminatory actions to not only our beloved and ancient basset breeds but to at least 15 other breeds!
Action such as this should be condemned by the FCI. We request for the FCI to act upon this discriminatory ruling. At CACIB shows, this one even with Crufts qualification, all recognized breeds should be able to compete!
1,355
The Issue
Bloodhounds, bassets and other scent hounds originated in the Abbey of St. Hubert around the 6th century. Their long ears are indispensable part of their incredible capacity to track, sending the scents to their noses. Later dogs with short legs were selected to follow on foot. By the 16th century bassets had become so popular that William Shakespeare dedicated a sonnet to them in his " Midsummer Night's Dream: "My hounds are bred out of Spartan kind, so flewed, so sanded and their heads are hung, with ears that sweep away the morning dew, crook-kneed and dew-lapped like Thessalian bulls, slow in per suit , but matched in mouth like bells ".
Unfortunately, regarding the Bundessiegershow in Dortmund, in September 2026, the German local government veterinarian of Westfalen decided that the ears are not allowed to touch the ground when the dog's nose is leaning to sniff. This new ruling goes against at least 15 breed standards which state that ears should reach beyond the end of the muzzle.
As a basset hound owner for about 45, breeder for more than 30 and veterinarian for more than 20 years I can state that I do not see any health issues related to the exact length of the ears. Not saying they should be extremely long but that was never asked for.
On Friday November 6th 2026, 3 basset hounds in excellent health condition were prevented to be judged for having ears that touched the ground when sniffing.
By doing so, the organizers went against the approved breed standard of the FCI, and this being a CACIB show it should not be possible.
This is the first time world wide that the basset hound as recognized breed is excluded from participating at a CACIB show creating a very dangerous precedent and opening the door to more discriminatory actions to not only our beloved and ancient basset breeds but to at least 15 other breeds!
Action such as this should be condemned by the FCI. We request for the FCI to act upon this discriminatory ruling. At CACIB shows, this one even with Crufts qualification, all recognized breeds should be able to compete!
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Petition created on November 8, 2026