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The name "Basset" derived from the French word "bas" which means "low set" or "dwarfed" Early reports suggest that this name was given to any hound who stood less then 16 inches high.
The exact organ of the basset hound will probably remain unknown, but we can develop a good since of their heritage.
It is believed that Saint Hubert was the forerunner in developing the basset hound that we have grown to know and love. St. Hubert was French-men who had a great passion for hunting. In his kennel, located at the French-Belgium boarder, he set out to develop a new strain of hound dog. Early accounts describe his dogs as being black and tan with long ears, heavy heads, long bodied and possessing short heavy legs. He also developed a longer legged, white variety. These breeds shared a keen sense of smell and deep voices. These breeds were used to hunt wild boars and wolves. St. Hubert bred the shorter legged breed with each other to produce a breed that could hunt in the heavier wood and cover. The shorter the legs became, the longer and better they could track in these conditions. This is how we came to the short and stocky legs we see on our modern day bassets.
St. Hubert's hounds were described as having a mild, obedient temperament. They were so gentle that they were only useful for trailing game, instead of killing it. St. Hubert’s hounds were placed all over France, being used by hunters with both short legged and long legged hound breeds. The basset hounds were separated into three major coat categories as follows : smooth-coated, half-rough coated and rough-coated. The basset hound was also separated into three major leg structure forms as follows: the straight leg, the slight crooked leg and the fully crooked legs. Each of these types had their own pursuers which preferred a certain combination. In English literature, the reference to St. Hubert or his hounds of this type were imported to England during the 15th century. Even though the hound breed existed in England at this time, there was not record of them being breed there until the 19th century. It is believed the James IV of Scotland imported Bassets for trailing and driving game out into the open. The hunters would then send their gazehounds to run down, capture and retrieve the game.

By the early part of the 19th century, the basset hound breed became increasingly difficult to find in a good quality full blooded line. The great come back of the basset in he latter part of the 19th century was attributed to two main breeders, Comte le Couteulex de Canteleu and Monsieur Lane. The Lane’s hound bloodline was pale tan and white, lemon and white and badger pile. They possessed the long ears, very large heavy frame and crooked forelegs. The tremendously crooked caused them to tire rather quickly in the field. They lacked the motivation to hunt, but possessed a magnificent voice. Comte le Couteulx's line was a smaller, more lively and had straight legs. This line carried very dark rich colors of black, white and tan. Compared to the Lane’s line, their heads were broader, high-set shorter ears, eyes that were more prominent and larger and lacked the strong voice. These breeders infused their lines to produce outstanding qualities for both breeders. This strain was know as the Basset Artesian-Normand, or the Basset d'Artois, which is the direct forerunner of our present day basset hound.

The Basset Artesian was first shown in Paris in 1863 at the first dog show held in that city's history. imported from England, Lord Galway purchased several breeding pairs of these hounds. However, Sir John Everett Millais was given the most credit for the development of the Basset breed in England. Millais purchased from France a male named Model, which was the first Basset Hound shown in England. This male became his cornerstone for his highly successful breeding program. England recognized their first basset hound club in 1884.

The Basset hound's American history dates back as far as when our first president was in office. According to George Washington's diary, his friend Lafayette brought the first basset to America, following the revolution. The first two basset hounds to be registered with the AKC in 1885 were Bouncer and Countess, which were several years old at the time of registration. The registration for Bouncer read : "Bouncer, No. 3234, by Major x Venus. Owner, Collin Cameron, Brickerville, Pa. Breeder Pottinger Dorsey, New Market, VA. Whelped March 1881, Black, tan and white." In 1935, the Basset Hound Club of America was founded. In 1937, the club was successfully qualifies to become an AKC member club. In Michigan, the club held it's first field trail in 1937. This trail was won by Emil and Effie Seitz with their basset hound Hillcrest Peggy. Both winners were founding members of the Basset Hound Club of America. The BHCA was able to hold their first independent specialty show in Chicago, IL in 1995, with an overall entry of forty. In 1950, a Basset Hound had become world famous television star, "Mr. Morgan." This caused the breed to become very popular.

The basset hound was recognized by the AKC on January 14, 1964. The Westminster Kennel Club show offered a class for the Basset hound in 1884.The February 27, 1928 issue of Time magazine carried the picture of a Basset puppy on the cover. The accompanying cover story was a write-up of the 52nd annual dog show of the Westminster Kennel Club at Madison Square Garden as if it were attended and observed by the puppy.The Basset Hound is recognized by several kennel clubs, for example : American Kennel Club, Canadian Kennel Club, Continental Kennel Club, United Kennel Club and Westminster Kennel Club