Advertisement


 

Dog Breed:
Basset Hound


Basset Hound

in depth information breeders in your area


Description:

The Basset Hound is known as the "Hush Puppy" dog. Heavy boned and thick bodied, the Basset Hound is a slow hunter but is capable of moving quickly. The Basset Hound dog breed is a good hunting dog and family companion who is loyal and obedient to its owner.

Country of Origin:

The Basset Hound originated in France.

Height:

Basset Hounds range from 13 inches to 15 inches.

Weight:

Basset Hounds range from 40 to 60 pounds.

Colors:

Basset Hounds are typically black, white and tan, but could be lemon colored.

Coat:

Basset Hounds have short, hard and shiny coats, which require minimal brushing.

Temperament:

The Basset Hound is a good natured dog breed who gets along well with other pets and children. Basset Hounds are not as easy to train as some other breeds but good results can be achieved with patient and consistent training.

 


Advertisement


Health Concerns:

The Basset Hound is susceptible to ear and skin infections and obesity, which can cause spine and leg problems.

Life Expectancy:

The expected life span of the Basset Hound is 8-12 years.

Living Environment:

Basset Hounds do well in both houses and apartments. Exercise is a must for the Basset Hounds in order to prevent obesity. However, joggers should not consider this dog breed because extended running could damage the dog's hips, legs and back.

AKC Group:

The Basset Hound is in the hound group.

 
Basset Hounds - In Depth

Sad hound eyes. Massive ears and feet. Doleful baying. Who could it be other than a Basset Hound?

Basset Hound puppy

How did the Basset Hound originate?

The Basset Hound’s origins go back at least 500 years, having been shown in a hunting textbook as early as the mid-16th century. The breed originated as a cross between the Bloodhound and the Basset Artisien Normand, one of six recognized French Basset breeds. Bassets were brought to the United States by the Marquis de Lafayette as a gift to George Washington. The breed was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885, and the current breed standard was adopted in 1964.

Basset Hounds were selectively bred to have short legs, making it easier for hunters to follow them on foot as they chased badgers and rabbits into their dens. Still today, the main use of the Basset is for hunting rabbits, with Bassets rating second only to Bloodhounds in their accuracy as scent hounds.

Is the Basset Hound a popular dog?

These ungainly hounds are amazingly popular and have devotees the world over. Once you’ve heard a Basset baying, you are generally hooked for life. In many communities, Basset Hound events draw huge crowds and are often used to raise funds for rescue groups. Some of the largest events in America are the Michigan Basset Waddle and the New Orleans Basset Boogie. In addition to crowning a king and queen, these events often choose a dog with the best waddle, longest ears, or best bay.

Does the Basset Hound have a good personality?

The Basset is one of the world’s most gentle dogs. They are very calm, and they love human companionship. Neither overly dominant nor overly submissive, the Basset is usually well-behaved, but easy to spoil. The dog is great with adults, children, and other animals, and makes a terrible watchdog as he never met a stranger.

Given his druthers, this 60 pound dog would spend his life on your lap. He is notoriously stubborn, and his hearing is almost as selective as the average teenager’s. The Basset values companionship and will not do well left alone for long periods of time. If you can’t be there with him, you might want to adopt another dog to keep him from getting lonely.

Given his origins as a scent hound, the Basset requires a sturdy fence or leash to keep him from following his nose into trouble. When he isn’t chasing a scent, the Basset is perfectly content to laze around in the sun. Because of this, weight gain is often a problem, and daily walks are required to prevent obesity.

Basset Hound dog on the beach
They may enjoy a walk on the beach, but the Basset Hound isn't much of a swimmer.

Can my Basset Hound swim?

Although most hunting dogs love the water, the water doesn’t love a Basset. His heavy body, combined with those short little legs, makes it very difficult for a Basset Hound to swim more than a very short distance. If you take him boating, make sure to provide a flotation device, and if he falls into your pool, show him the way to the stairs so he learns how to get out.

What’s the breed standard for Basset Hounds?

The adult dog weighs 50 – 65 pounds and stands 12 – 15 inches high. He is short-legged and heavier-boned than any other breed of dog. His short hair sheds only a little, and is acceptable in any hound color. The most common color is black, white, and brown, known as tri-color, although red and white or lemon and white are also seen frequently. Blue (really grey) Bassets are acceptable, but undesirable because the color is associated with many genetic defects including periscoping intestines, skin allergies, and food allergies.

The ears of a Basset are his most distinctive feature – long, velvety, and hanging in loose folds. These long ears do serve a purpose other than beauty; they drag scents from the ground in towards the dog’s powerful nose, aiding him in finding his quarry. The folds of skin under the chin, called the dewlap, as well as the wrinkles around the head and face also aid in trapping scents.

Where have I seen Bassets?

Basset Hound dog portrait in the snow
Distinctive ears, soulful eyes, stubby legs.

Because of their comical good looks and stately presence, Basset hounds have a long history in movies, television, cartoons, and advertising. Some of the more famous Bassets are the cartoon characters Droopy Dog and “Bloom County’s” Rosebud. Fred, the truck-driver’s companion in the Smokey and the Bandit movies was a Basset, as was the dog owned by Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in The Dukes of Hazzard series. Hush Puppies shoes have used a Basset in their advertising for years.

Do Basset Hounds have any major health problems?

Bassets live an average of about 12 years, with most of them succumbing eventually to cancer or old age. Their long backs make them susceptible to disc problems, particularly if they are overweight and are not discouraged from jumping on and off of your furniture.

Basset Hounds may also suffer from von Willebrand’s disease, a genetic problem which causes bleeding, similar to hemophilia in humans. Other health problems include elbow dysplasia and gastric torsion or bloat.

Paneosteitis is sometimes seen in young Bassets. This disease causes sudden lameness that wanders from limb to limb. There is no specific treatment for the disease, as the dog usually grows out of the condition by the age of 2 years. Problems arise when vets don’t realize why the dog is lame and perform unnecessary exploratory surgery.

Although not technically a health problem, drooling is prevalent in this breed. Prospective Basset guardians need to be aware that they will have to put up with a bit of a mess, particularly when the dog is drinking. One of the major reasons why Bassets are given up is because their families are not prepared for the slobber that comes with these dogs.

How much grooming with I have to do with my Basset?

Other than keeping a slobber rag handy, you will not have to do much to maintain your hound. The coat is pretty much wash and wear, requiring nothing more than occasional brushing. Nails should be trimmed monthly to allow the dog to carry his heavy body correctly without foot pain.

Basset Hound face
Their huge, long ears do require special care.

The only special care required for the Basset Hound is ear cleaning. The long heavy ear flaps do not allow moisture to evaporate from the ear canals. The ears should be swabbed out at least weekly with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol. If you notice an odor coming from the ears, the dog may need veterinary care for an ear infection.

Is the Basset Hound the right dog for me?

The Basset fits wonderfully into just about any home setting. Other than his need for some companionship, this hound dog will be happy to conform to any situation including kids or other pets in the home. He does not require a large home, but does need to be securely confined when outside to keep him out of trouble. If you are looking for an easy to groom and easy to get along with dog, the Basset just may be a great fit for you!


 
ADVERTISEMENT


Find Basset Hound Puppies
with our Free Breeder search!

Enter your 5 digit US Zip code or your 6-character Canadian Postal Code.

Click to


Or Choose a Link Below

Akron

Alabama

Alaska

Albany-Schenectady

Alberta

Albuquerque

Anchorage

Antioch

Arizona

Arkansas

Arlington

Atlanta

Austin

Bakersfield

Baltimore

Bangor

Baton Rouge

Beaverton

Bend

Berkeley

Billings

Birmingham

Brampton

Boise

Boston

British Columbia

Buffalo

Burbank

Burlington

Calgary

California

Cambridge

Charlotte

Chattanooga

Chicago

Chico-Redding

Cincinnati

Cleveland

Colorado

Colorado Springs

Columbia

Columbus

Corpus Christi

Connecticut

Clearwater

Dallas-Ft. Worth

Daly City

Davenport

Dayton

Delaware

Des Moines

Denver

Detroit

District of Columbia

El Paso

Elgin

Erie

Eugene

Fairfield

Flint

Florida

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Meyers

Eureka

Fort Worth

Fredericksburg

Freehold

Fresno

Gainesville

Georgia

Glendale

Glendive

Grand Junction

Grand Rapids

Green Bay

Greensboro

Greenville

Gresham

Hartford

Halifax

Harrisburg

Hawaii

High Point

Hockessin

Honolulu

Houston

Huntington Beach

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Indianapolis

Iowa

Irvine

Jackson

Jacksonsville

Johnstown-Altoona

Kansas

Kansas City

Kentucky

Knoxville

Labrador

La Crosse-Eau Claire

Laredo

Las Vegas

Lewisville

Lexington

Little Rock

Long Beach

Los Angeles

Louisiana

Lowell

Louisville

Lugoff

Madison

Maine

Manitoba

Maryland

Massachusetts

Medford-Klamath Falls

Memphis

Mesa

Minnesota

Miami

Michigan

Milwaukee

Minneapolis-St. Paul

Mississippi

Missouri

Mobile

Modesto

Montana

Monterey-Salinas

Montreal

Murfreesboro

Nashville

Nebraska

Nevada

New Brunswick

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New Orleans

New York

New York City

Newfoundland

Norfolk

Norwalk

North Carolina

North Dakota

Northfield

Northwest Territories

Nova Scotia

Nunavut

Oakland

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City

Omaha

Ontario

Oregon

Orlando

Ottawa

Palm Bay

Palm Beach

Palm Springs

Plano

Pasadena

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

Phoenix

Pittsburgh

Portland

Prince Edward Island

Pompano Beach

Portsmouth

Providence

Puerto Rico

Pueblo

Quebec

Raleigh

Reno

Richmond

Rhode Island

Richardson

Roanoke-Lynchburg

Rochester

Round Rock

Sacramento

Salt Lake City

San Antonio

San Diego

San Francisco

San Jose

Santa Barbara

Santa Rosa

Savannah

San Buenaventura

Saskatchewan

Seattle

Sioux Falls

Shreveport

South Bend

South Carolina

South Dakota

Springfield

Springfield-Holyoke

Spokane

St Louis

Syracuse

Tallahassee

Tampa

Tennessee

Texas

Toledo

Toronto

Tucson

Tulsa

Tyler-Longview

Utah

Vancouver

Vermont

Virginia

Virginia Beach

Waco

Washington

Washington D.C.

West Covina

West Hollywood

West Jordan

West Virginia

West Virginia

White Plains

Wichita

West Palm Beach

Wilkes Barre-Scranton

Wilmington

Winchester

Winnipeg

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Yakima-Pasco

Yukon

Yuma