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The Basset Hound is a sweet, affectionate
dog with a mild temperament that makes a great family
pet. This dog is friendly with children and kind to strangers.
Consistent patient training is needed for this dog as
it can sometimes be a bit stubborn. It does well with
positive reinforcement and with proper training they can
be very obedient. |
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 Height:
11-15 in (28-38 cm)
Weight: 45-65 lbs (20-29 kg
Living Conditions:
This hound will be all right with apartment living as
long as given opportunities for daily exercise.
Care and Grooming: The
short, smooth coat makes this dog easy to groom. Brush
occasionally and bathe only when necessary. Make sure
to wipe under their ears every week to keep them clean.
Exercise Needs: This
dog needs plenty of exercise. If given the chance
to play out in the open, it will run around for hours.
Health Issues: Due
to this dog's long back and short legs there is a
possibility for lameness or eventually, paralysis.
Make sure not to overfeed this dog, as any extra weight
puts a lot of strain on their legs and back. It's
also a good idea to feed this dog two or three small
meals a day rather than one large one as this dog
is prone to bloat.
Life
Span: 10-12 years
Group: Hound
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Characteristics:
Basset
Hounds are easily identified by some unmistakable characteristics.
Adult Bassets will grow to around 14 inches at the withers;
have very long ears and an abundance of loose skin on
the skull and back. The loose skin helps a hound capture
and keep a scent with them while tracking. The basset
was originally breed to hunt small game such as rabbits.
The scent of a bunny is irresistible to a hound so care
should be taken when in areas with small game. They will
not be distracted from the trail and may wander far from
home becoming disoriented and lost.
Drooling or slobbering is a characteristic most commonly
associated with this breed. The amount and frequency this
breed drools varies. Couches, pants, curtains, etc...
become face towels. Generally they will drool when on
a walk or outside. The heaviest drool is produced when
a hound has picked up a scent, thus aiding in their tracking
ability. A good shake at the door before entering the
house will prevent ceilings and walls from being peppered.
The Basset has short legs to aid in navigating rough terrain,
and may look somewhat clumsy around the house, but are
in fact very agile in the field. As they get older simple
obstacles in the house can become difficult to tackle,
such as stairs, couches, or beds. You may hear a basset
owner talking about boosting their senior onto the bed.
This is not uncommon and should be expected. The bone
structure is heavy and the paws appear to be huge in comparison
with other breeds. The feet are webbed but don't let this
fool you, they are not good swimmers. A Basset can swim
for brief periods, but will get exhausted easily trying
to keep the mass and weight of their chest level. This
breed should not be left unattended near pools or ponds.
They
are not small dogs; the male should weigh approximately
50 - 60 lbs. while females are usually more petite weighing
in around 40 - 50 lbs. The coat is short and easily maintained
with regular baths. Brushing of the Basset's coat is a
must because they shed quite a bit of hair year round.
Ears should be cleaned regularly to keep bacteria and
infections to a minimum. The nails are very large and
tough. A sharp heavy-duty clipper is needed to trim the
nails, cutting in small increments. If the nail is cut
too deeply, a nerve or the nail quick can be accidentally
cut, causing pain and bleeding. Once a Basset has a bad
experience getting their nails clipped improperly, they
will give you much difficulties when it is attempted again.
Please consult your Vet or contact us for more advice.
The
voice of a basset is deep and loud. They express their
needs through voice and body language. This can be a problem
for individuals in apartments or neighborhoods with dwellings
built close together. Hounds are a stubborn breed, and
will often ignore your commands to stop barking.
A Basset Hounds personality is one that is loved by many
owners around the world. Eating would probably rank as
their favorite thing to do, though care should be taken
to make sure they are on a good diet and don't put on
excessive weight. They have times during the day when
they want to be active and are more than happy to do whatever
you have planned for them to burn off some energy. They
are built for endurance and can go for long periods tracking
small game or just following their nose through the neighborhood
on a daily walk. After exercise it's off to the couch
to snuggle up with you. This is a breed that loves to
please its master in whatever way it can. |
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