Basset Hound

Features

The Basset Hound belongs to the small dog breeds. With a maximum height at withers of 38cm, the Basset Hound usually weighs around 30Kg, sometimes even up to 35Kg. This makes the short-legged dog breed a very strong and massive dog.

Important to know

The Basset Houd can be stubborn and have a stubborn streak of his own, but if you are patient in your training and at best already have experience with dogs, you will have a lot of fun with this playful and family friendly dog!

good natured & lovable

Personality

Body & Appearance

Attributes

Coat care
3
Hair
3
Energy
3
Trainability
7
Suitable for children
7
This is the Basset Hound

Features

Characteristic of the Basset Hound is his long back, but also the large floppy ears. The gloomy look of the Basset Hounds comes from crossing with Bloodhounds, which resulted in the characteristic head and loose skin. The dark, diamond-shaped eyes give the Basset Hound a calm, yet serious expression. In addition, the so-called ” ectropion” is very common in Basset Hounds. This is a condition that causes the lower eyelid to droop so much that the red inside is visible.

Another characteristic feature for the Basset Hound is the large floppy ears, which extend in length slightly beyond the tip of the muzzle.

The short coat of the Basset Hounds is very dense and smooth with a smooth and velvety texture to the ears. Mainly the dogs are bred in the colors black-white-brown and lemon-white. However, other barrel hound colors are also permitted in breeding.

The life expectancy of the Basset Hound is 9 – 12 years.

Personality

The Basset Hound is characterized by its good-natured, lovable but also sometimes stubborn nature. He is also very intelligent. He knows exactly what he has to do to get his way. However, the Basset Hound is never aggressive or hostile . Since the Basset Hound was bred to be a pack animal, it is always friendly towards other dog breeds. This also applies to strangers. If he ever barks, he does so to defend his territory. But he would also never attack in the process.

The Basset Hound has a very high stimulus threshold. For this reason, he also gets along well with children.

Even though the Basset Hound has a sad expression on its face, its character proves that it is anything but sad. He is very playful and loves to run around.

In the past, the Basset Hound was also often used for hunting. He is not fast, but he has an excellent nose and was often used to find shot game, but also to hunt rabbits and hares.

Today, however, the basset hound is no longer considered for hunting because of its physique.

Posture

Since the Basset Hound is a family dog and likes to be socially involved, you shouldn’t leave him home alone for too long,

In addition, you should be consistent in the education of your four-legged friend. The Basset Hound in particular needs rules, as he can also be very stubborn and headstrong. However, you should keep in mind that even well-mannered, the Basset Hound will always retain some willfulness. He prefers to explore the world by playing rather than being obedient. Therefore, it’s best to combine your dog’s education with playful activities. This way, both you and your four-legged friend will have fun.

Although it may seem that the Basset Hound doesn’t need much exercise due to its short legs, appearances are deceiving. He loves long and extensive outings, so he needs plenty of exercise, but at his own pace.

Intelligence games and nose work also give great pleasure to the Basset Hound.

Since the Basset Hound is not a heat lover, you should use the morning and evening hours for walks in the summer and additionally refresh him with cold water.

In winter it is important to avoid deep snow, so that the ears but also the genitals do not freeze during the walk.

Nutrition and care

A balanced and high-quality diet in combination with sufficient exercise is very important, especially for the Basset Hound, because this dog breed can quickly tend to overweight. The diet should be rich in meat and low in cereals. You should also consider the state of health as well as the age of your four-legged friend when giving food.

Besides dry and wet food, the Basset Hound is also suitable for bar feeding. This involves feeding mainly raw meat.

The care of the Basset Hound is very easy. It is enough to brush your four-legged friend with a soft brush every few days to remove loose hair.

Special attention should be paid to the ears and eyes. They require regular checks and cleaning, as they are easily prone to inflammation.

Due to its long back, the Basset Hound, just like Dachshunds, can more often suffer from disc problems or even paralysis. For this reason, you should definitely avoid climbing stairs with your Basset Hound.

Likewise, chronic ear infections can occur due to the long ears. Therefore, already when buying your Basset Hound, you should make sure that the breeder does not go to extremes when it comes to the ears or the back.

History

The Basset Hound has its origins in the French Middle Ages. There monks have already bred hunting dogs. Direct ancestors of the Basset Hound are the already extinct breeds Basset dÁrtois and Basset Artésien Normad. Then, in the middle of the 19th century, the first specimens arrived in the British Isles. There they were first crossed with Beagles, later also with Bloodhounds, which gave the Basset Hounds their characteristic appearance.

In 1880 , the Basset Hound was then recognized as a breed by the British Kennel Club.

Outside Europe, the Basset Hound became increasingly popular, especially in the United States, where it was bred at times as a pure fashion dog with long ears and loose skin. Today, however, Basste Hound breeding is more dog-friendly and healthy again.

Conclusion

The Basset Houd can be stubborn and have a stubborn streak of his own, but if you are patient in your training and at best already have experience with dogs, you will have a lot of fun with this playful and family friendly dog!