Basset Hound

Country of Origin: France
Lifespan: 12 Years
Male Height: 12-14 Inches
Male Weight: 40-60 Pounds
Female Height: 12-14 Inches
Female Weight: 40-60 Pounds
American Kennel Club Classification : Hound GroupCanadian Kennel Club Classification : HoundsKennel Club (Great Britain) Classification : Hound
Basset Hound Characteristics
The Basset Hound is a cheerful and affectionate dog who makes a great family pet. This breed is not the easiest to train and can be quite stubborn at times. They get along marvelously with other dogs and with children, and don't like to be left alone. The Basset Hound loves food, so it is important to rigorously monitor their food intake to prevent them from becoming overweight and unhealthy. They have a "sniffer" second only to the Bloodhound, and are known to wander long distances when they catch wind of an interesting smell. They may have a musky dog smell due to oils in their skin. They love to dig, particularly in beautifully tended flower gardens, and they are more prone to digging if they are bored or under-exercised.
Basset Hound History
The Basset Hound's name is derived from the French word "Basset" meaning "low stature" or "dwarf". They were developed in France and Belgium mostly from the Bloodhound. Shakespeare wrote eloquently of the Basset Hound when he described him in this way: "Ears which sweep away the morning dew". They were originally popular with the French commoners. They preferred a dog that would track game, but would not actually kill it. Because of the Basset Hound's slower tracking speed, the hunters could follow him on foot and shoot the game when it was within sight.
The breed was first presented at the Paris Dog Show in 1863. His popularity spread to England where he was recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1883. In England a dispute arose amongst breeders as to the proper standard for the Basset Hound. One group wanted to keep the Basset Hound as a hunting dog, while the other group preferred breeding for a disposition that favoured a companion dog. In America breeders stuck to the middle ground and bred their dogs for both companionship and hunting abilities, and in 1964 the breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Sir Everett Millais wrote the book "Bassets: Their Use and Breeding", and also wrote the first official breed standard which was adopted by the British Basset Hound Club. World War I took a toll on the Basset Hound, with only 33 being registered in the United Kingdom between 1913 and 1923. The Basset Hound Club's doors were closed in 1921. By 1954 the Basset Hound Club had reopened. The Basset Hound's popularity was on the rise, particularly with the advertising campaign of the "Hush Puppies" shoes.
Basset HoundsWhy the long face? Well to start of with the Basset hound has a longer face than most dogs. They also have long ears in comparison to the rest of their body. They are a distinctive breed that usually weighs 40 to 60 pounds and stands about 14 inches. You will find that they are about any hound color from brown, tan, black, and white or a mixture of colors. You will find that their coat is coarse with short hairs and it is weather resistant. In other words they don't tend to get too soaked from rain, get too cold or too warm depending on the climate.
The Bassett Hound is one of the most pleasurable breeds in the dog groups because they are well behaved, affectionate, and they love to be sweet. One minor issue with this dog is the need to howl or bark. They tend to make noise even when there is nothing to bark at. Therefore you may see them as a great alarm system, but not a great guard dog. They tend to be very affectionate with strangers and other dogs as well.
You will find that they are quite lazy and peaceful despite the need to bark or howl. They also tend to be stubborn during training, but more on that later. First you will want to know they are better with older children. Their ears are extremely sensitive and they don't wish to be handled roughly by the younger set. As for intelligence they can be taught tricks with patience, but they are not the most intelligent dog.
Basset hounds need grooming daily. You will find they shed quite a bit so brushing and combing them at least once a day will keep this down. The basset hound tends to neglect the natural method of grooming as well as their toenails so you will need to spend a little time and care to get them in shape.
Part of the laziness factor is actually due to a tendency to overheat easily. They do need to have plenty of exercise, but it should be a moderate pace. Since they don't tend to run around a lot you need to help them stay healthy as part of the dog care package. You can certainly let them roam around a fenced yard, but again they do need a regiment of exercise to keep them healthy.
Training is one of the most important aspects of this breed. The basset hound tends to be sensitive and gentle so it requires patience and consistency to train them. You also need to understand that they are stubborn so it may take a little bit to get them motivated. They also like to go off and sniff around rather than be trained. Training should begin as early as puppy- hood to get the best results. You can train them out of the barking and howling for the most part, but that will take a bit of time and definitely some type of reward.
The basset hound is one of the best pets you can have when you consider the dog breeds available. They love to be around humans and other dogs even if they tend to be a little on the lazy side. You will find that affection, devotion, and tranquillity are their best qualities as well as being someone to complete a family with children. They don't have any major medical issues, but you do need to remember their sensitive ears. In case of an accident with their ears you may need to seek your vet.