Basset Hound Dog
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[ Red and white Basset ]The Basset Hound is a chunky, short-legged breed of dog of the hound family. They are scent hounds, bred to hunt by scent. Their sense of smell for tracking is second only to that of the Bloodhound. The name Basset derives from the French word "bas" meaning "low" or "dwarf".
Appearance
These dogs are around 33 to 38 cm (13 to 15 inches) in height at the
withers. They usually weigh between 20 and 30 kg (45 and 65 lbs). They
have smooth, short-haired coats. Although any hound color is considered
acceptable by breed standards, Bassets are generally tricolor (black,
tan, and white), open red and white (red spots on white fur), closed red
and white (a solid red color with white feet and tails), and lemon and
white. Some Bassets are also classified as grey, or blue, however this
color is considered rare and undesirable.
They have long, low-set ears and powerful necks, with much loose skin
around their heads that forms wrinkles. Their tails are long and
tapering and stand upright with a curve. The breed is also known for its
hanging skin structure, which causes the face to have a permanently sad
look; this, for many people, adds to the breed's charm. The dewlap, seen
as the loose, elastic skin around the neck and the trailing ears help
trap the scent of what they are tracking.
Basset Hounds are a large dog on short legs. They were originally bred
by the French to have achondroplasia, known as dwarfism. Their short
stature can be deceiving: Bassets are surprisingly long and can reach
things on table tops that dogs of similar heights cannot.
Temperature
The Basset Hound
is a very calm and companionable breed, but they are often
very stubborn. They are an especially loyal breed. Around
strangers, Bassets are friendly, and most are gentle with
children.
While Bassets love food and may be less energetic than some
breeds, they will exercise regularly if given the chance.
Most Bassets enjoy activities that use their natural
endurance, like long walks or hikes. They also enjoy
tracking games that let them use their powerful nose.
[ Tricolour Basset ]
Therefore, the stereotype of overweight and lazy Bassets is
misleading. Rather, owners who believe their Bassets are
supposed to be lazy will likely end up with overweight dogs
that get exhausted easily, and owners who keep their Bassets
active will likely have trim and happy hounds. Still,
Bassets are excellent beggars. Their mournful appearance
causes owners to be sympathetic and give them extra food;
owners should resist this temptation.
Like other hounds, Basset Hounds are often very difficult to
obedience train. Many Basset Hounds will obey commands when
offered a food reward, but will "forget" the training when a
reward is not present. Bassets are notoriously difficult to
housebreak.
The breed has a strong hunting instinct and will give chase
or follow a scent if given the opportunity. They should be
trained in recall; failing that, they should be kept on a
leash when out on walks.
Bassets might howl or bay rather than bark when they want
something or to suggest that they think something is wrong.
They also use a low, murmering whine to get attention, which
sounds to many owners as though their Bassets are "talking."
Health
In comparison to other breeds, the Basset Hound is an especially healthy
breed, but there are some illnesses to which they may fall prey.
They are a deep-chested breed, and are therefore prone to bloat. Many
bloodlines are genetically prone to glaucoma, luxating patella, and
ectropion ("cherry eye"). Young Bassets occasionally develop panosteitis.
Older Bassets occasionally develop Von Willebrand disease. Long dogs on
short legs can easily develop back pain, especially if excessive weight
is already a concern. Hip dysplasia can be a problem in Bassets. Due to
the breed's short legs and large mass, Bassets may be susceptible to
arthritis as they grow older. Grey Basset Hounds are more likely to be
born with medical problems, and it is advisable not to purchase these.
Care
Bassets tend to shed a lot, but do not require frequent brushing. Like
the Bloodhound, they are a "wet mouthed" dog and tend to drool. As
Basset Hounds often overeat, feedings should be regulated to prevent
weight gain. Long ears are prone to infection if not cleaned regularly.
The pronounced haw of the eyes can become dry and irritated. Trailing
bellies and massive paws will carry and track dirt to the despair of
many owners. Untrimmed toenails can cause damage to floors and
furniture, and create posture difficulty leading to back pain.
History and Interesting issue of Basset Hound Dogs
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Basset Hound".
