Lining up before the start of our five mile walk at Ham Hill, Stoke sub Hamdon, near Yeovil in Somerset on Sunday June 7th 2009. (see here for more photos). 22 Bassets plus a varied assortment of other funny shaped breeds from all over the West Country.

Basset Hounds are different. They may look cute (6 stone, cute?) in slipper ads, but as every owner knows they are just as likely to be obstinate, stubborn, wilful and natural thieves. We call it intelligence.

Since 1954 the Basset Hound Club has looked after standards, run championships, institutes a Code of Ethics, in short everything to do with the well-being of The Breed. Disappointingly they have shown no interest in what we are doing and refuse to publicise our walks. Anyone know why?

It is our experience that most members are only interested in showing– fine–but some of us prefer to walk our hounds in company with others, for the sheer joy of watching a large group of bassets run together.

When we acquired our first hound, nearly forty years ago, there were six Basset packs, today I am told there are nine–the most well-known of which is The Albany, in the East Midlands. (Three packs are privately owned.) While we don't agree with hunting, it is still a fine sight to see such a large number in the countryside. Compared to the average pet hound, The English Hunt Basset Hound is much longer legged and shorter eared, and certainly fit – some days they will cover 25 miles.

With this end in view the Basset Hound Walkers (want a T-shirt?) has been formed as a very loose group of friends who will meet several times a year to exercise their hounds. There is no fee, no constitution and certainly no officers. All are welcome (tell your Basset friends). Just bring some lunch and Bonios.

So which is the most peculiar animal here then?

Updated: June 21, 2009

Of course they didn't (Cerne Abbas).

This walking lark is too much for me.

"Can I bury your socks first?"

"Not another walk. I'd much rather stay here and wreck the china."

"Me and my hubby .... would love to come on a walk with you all if you do one near here then someone can convince him that we do in fact need another basset to live with us, maybe a lovely girly for bert. I hope you will meet him soon on a ramble and then you can all help me find him later in the day"

Names deleted to preserve marital harmony.

"I’ve been looking at your website and the pictures of your walks are fantastic !! Looks like everyone has great fun and it’s such a joy to see all the bassets together."

Jemma from Norfolk.

I have not smiled that much in a long time seeing the pack romping through the grass. The highlight for us was the Labrador being pursued by a large pack of Bassets baying. My side still hurts now from laughing. I think that next time we will bring the beagle and let the pack run after him instead of the lab as that will be one way to wear him out!

Matt & Liz