The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Basset hound \Bas"set hound`\ [F. basset.] (Zool.)
   A small kind of hound with a long body and short legs, used
   as an earth dog.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

basset hound
    n 1: smooth-haired breed of hound with short legs and long ears
         [syn: basset, basset hound]