BASSET HOUND
APPEARANCE
The Basset Hound weighs in at around 40-80 pounds, and reaches heights of around 11-15 inches. The Basset Hound has a long, heavy body with wrinkly-cute, short stout legs. The head of the Basset is its strong point with a rounded skull and loose-fitting skin, falling in folds around the head. Long soft ears should meet beyond the top of the nose when extended, having the ability to fold. The coat of this breed is hard, sleek, and short, and coloring of the coat includes white and tan, red and white, and most commonly, black, tan, and white.
PERSONALITY
The Basset Hound is a gentle and devoted dog that is ideal for households with children. They are brave yet mild in temperament, friendly and obedient when trained properly. The breed tends to be calm, polite and amiable around strangers. These dogs have a great sense of humor, and make wonderful companion and family pets. They can be taught tricks, but tend to be stubborn so patience is key.
TRAINING
They respond well to gentle and patient training with lots of love and kindness, with positive reinforcement as they learn their commands. Unfortunately, they are known to combine stubbornness with their training program, so choosing a training program needs to be an excellent one. Consistency works best with this short and stubborn breed. The Basset Hound has the tendency to go off sniffing completely disregarding his master so fun techniques work best.
EXERCISE
Normally a lazy breed, this dog should be taken on regulated walks and should be allowed a free roam in a safe, fenced in area. Walking them around the block just is not enough. Lack of exercise causes obesity, stress on the joints and bones, with many health problems developing. Regular exercise regimes are important to keep the health of the Bassett Hound both physically and mentally.
SOCIALIZATION
The Basset Hound is a breed of dog that is ideal for inexperienced dog owners and those with children or other pets, as he is a sociable creature and gets along with other animals as well as kids and adults.
Because their personality is mild, this breed has become one of the most popular family dogs, known for their extreme tolerance. A naturally well-behaved dog, they are the most easygoing of breeds with a good-natured personality.
LIVING CONDITIONS
Though the Basset hound will take an opportunity to run and play outside, it tends to be idle inside, which makes it amenable to apartment life. Extended periods of time outdoors can keep this dog happy and fit.
GROOMING
A brushing once or twice a week removes any dead dander hair, while keeping the skin circulated. But during heavy shedding cycles, the hair will need to be removed by brushing and bathing. The hair around and inside the ears needs to be carefully wiped and cleaned, as when the dog is hunting, drinking, or eating, debris or food matter has a tendency to become entangled in this area, causing fungus or bacteria to grow.
HEALTH ISSUES
The Basset Hound has a life expectancy of around 10-12 years. Recurring health problems in this breed include hip and elbow dysplasia, glaucoma, von Willebrand’s disease, gastric torsion, entropion, ectropion, osteochondritis dissecans and thrombopathy. Patellar luxation can also occur in this breed.
HISTORY
The Basset Hound comes from French lineage and is name mean “low”. They were breed to hunt through dense cover for badgers, rabbits, and hares. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1885.
