Bred to be a companion for hunters and fetch their game, BANs have short legs, short, body, but twice as long as its tail, They have rounded chests with a prominent sternum. They have domed-shaped head with hairy cheeks and large eyes. The coned-shaped long ears are soft. They have large, black nose. They have short coats, which could be bi-color or tri-color.
Developed in France during the 1870s, the Basset Artesien Normand is a purebred based from common ancestral strains from Chien d'Artois and Normand. They accompanied their owners during hunting periods. Their short legs limited the distance they can travel, which the hunters favor a lot. They hunt rabbits and small game in packs. Today they are regarded as part of the family. UKC officially recognized the breed i January 1, 1995.