Donna Jo Weiss, age 11, of Williamsport, Pa., for her question:

HOW DID THE BASSET HOUND ORIGINATE?

Someone once said that the basset hound was designed by a committee  too many people were involved in the planning and no one listened to the boss. Actually, the basset is indeed a most unusual looking character, but a lot of people love him just as he is, thank you.

The basset is heavily built with a low, long body and crooked front legs. He has long ears and just about the saddest expression you've ever seen on a dog. He's usually white, black and tan or white and tan. He has a bloodhound's head and a dachshund's legs.

The dog was developed in France with the mating of French bloodhounds and shortlegged white hounds bred in the 1700s by the Abbots of St. Hubert. The basset usually stands 15 inches high and weighs between 25 and 45 pounds.