Breed standard: LOF/AKC | Size: Small | Life expectancy: 10+ years | Temperament: Affectionate, stubborn, and friendly | Coat: Shorthair | Origin: United States.
The Basset Hound’s unique short legs and long body have made him famous worldwide.
The origins of Basset Hound
Ancient origins
The first images of the Basset Hound were found in a book related to hunting, La Vénerie de Jacques du Fouilloux, dating from the 16th century. In this book, the Basset Hound was described as a hunting dog used mainly to hunt foxes and badgers.
However, the exact origins of this dog breed remain unclear. The Basset Hound is believed to be the result of several crosses between the Basset d’Artois, the Saint-Hubert, and other basset dog breeds.
A more precise trace of the breed can be found with the Marquis de La Fayette who owned several of them and introduced a few of them to the United States at the end of the 18th century.
On the other side of the Atlantic, the Basset Hound was attested under Napoleon III. A sculpture of this dog was made by Emmanuel Frémier in 1853 and shown at a Parisian dog show. At the time, two types of the Basset Hound seemed to exist, a griffon type and another with a smooth coat.
Featured in films and series
In the United States, the Basset Hound was raised as a pet rather than a hunting dog. The breed became very popular and was featured in many American series and films.
One of the most famous Basset Hound characters was Droopy from the popular cartoon Dumb-Hounded. Even though Droopy was recognized worldwide, the Basset Hound is more popular in the United States than in Europe.
What character does he have?
Although the Basset Hound is placid and friendly, the Basset Hound is nevertheless a hunter at heart. This breed loves to accompany his owner in the woods.
Seemingly calm
The Basset Hound is a strange little companion. At first glance, he seems to be a calm dog who spends his days sleeping. However, the Basset Hound is not at all like that. Instead, the Basset Hound is a rather dynamic dog bred who likes to move and clown around.
This breed is very affectionate. They love to spend time with their owners, especially to go on long outings together and play together. They are very sociable dogs who get along with everyone and are great with children.
This dog is a pleasant dog who does not show any aggressiveness. He welcomes strangers, whether it be humans, cats or other dogs.
The Basset Hound loves to move but he also loves to laze around on the couch, snoring. However, they also enjoy playing for long hours with children, tracking scents for an entire afternoon or spending hours snuggled up next to you on the couch. They particularly long cuddle moments because they are super affectionate.
Are there any downsides to having a Basset Hound?
The Basset Hound is originally a pack dog and does not like to be alone. When they are left alone, they tend to bark. If a Basset Hound is waiting for his owner in the garden, he will dig for companions.
Basset Hounds prefer to take the lead when going on walks. When they are following a scent, they do not think of following their owner. As they are also not concerned about obeying, it can be problematic.
The Basset Hound is also terribly stubborn. He does not like to obey. However, this dog loves treats. If you reward your Basset Hound with treats, he will most likely be more docile!
Lastly, this dog does not like the rain and will even refuse to go out when it rains!
The physical characteristics of the Basset Hound
Head
This small dog breed has a domed skull with a very marked occipital protuberance. The stop is moderately marked. Some wrinkles are found on the forehead and around the eyes. The eyes are dark in color. Light colored Basset Hounds have medium brown eyes. The eyes are diamond shaped and give the Basset Hound his famous sad looking fact.
The ears of the Basset Hound are long and set low. They are narrow and flexible.
Body
This dog has a very recognizable body. They are long and have short legs. Their withers and loins are the same height. Their sternum is particularly prominent. When it comes to their ribs, they are rounded and extend towards the back.
The tail is long and set high. It is thick at the base and thin at the tip.
The front legs have a very strong bone structure with drooping folds.
Basset Hound: coat, color, and care
Coat
The Basset Hound’s coat is short. The coat is not too fine. There are no long-haired Basset Hounds.
Color
This dog breed has a tricolor coat which is black, tan and white. Two-tone dogs are most often lemon and white. It is also possible to find all the usual colors that we can see on dogs. The Basset Hound always has several colors.
Caring for a Basset Hound
The short hair of the Basset Hound requires a certain maintenance. It is important to note that the Basset Hounds loses its hair continuously but more abundantly during molting periods. Therefore, this breed should be brushed regularly to remove all the dead hairs. They should be brushed in the direction of the hair and in the opposite direction to remove everything. A rubber glove can also be an excellent solution to rid your dog of its dead hair while massaging its skin. This will help the sebaceous glands be more active and the coat will be shinier. You can also bathe your dog two to four times a year depending on his activities.
The Basset Hound has long ears that must be cleaned very regularly. They get dirty very quickly and store food remains, mud, dust, and more. Clean them once a week in the summer and every 15 days in the winter with a soft cleaning lotion specifically for dog ears.
The eyes must also be well maintained. This is because they can get droopy eyelids. To avoid health problems, you should clean your dog’s eyes once or twice a week with a suitable product. If you notice that the eyelid is particularly droopy, don’t hesitate to apply a few drops of saline solution every day to soothe irritation and soften the eye. Always remember to wipe the eye thoroughly after cleaning.
The Basset Hound at a glance
Size: at the wither the Basset Hound measures 33 to 38 cm.
Weight 22 to 30 kg (48.5 to 66 lbs).
Health: The Basset Hound is a robust dog, but it can nevertheless be subject to various health problems. It is important to take care of their eyes (prolapse of the gland of Harder, goniodysplasia, entropion or ectropion) and their ears (otitis) which can become infected.
This dog breed may also suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia. Many dogs have shown abdominal tenderness and may suffer from inguinal hernia. They may also suffer from stomach-turning if they do not remain calm after their meals.
The Basset Hound is a real foody and has a tendency to be overweight. It will thus be necessary to supervise their weight.
Average lifepsan: 10 to 13 years.
Is the breed good with children? The Basset Hound is an excellent companion for families with children. As they are very affectionate and playful, they do not have a problem adapting to children. They are not aggressive reaction and generally keep their calm in all circumstances.
Is the Basset Hound easy to train? We have already mentioned that this dog is stubborn and can be a problem when training him. His strong character makes him not want to follow orders and he would rather lie quietly in the sun or track a scent than do what you want. His training must therefore be strict and begin at a very young age. You have to be patient with him. Even though this dog breed is intelligent and can understand orders, he does not always want to obey them.