Basset Hound

Characteristics of Basset Hound

Brief information

• Friendly, kind and obedient merry fellow;
• A born hunter who never gets tired of exploring the surroundings of the yard;
• Patient and sociable, loves children and adores his master;
• The name “basset hound” comes from 2 English words: bass – “low” and hound – “hound”.

Basset hound photo

History of the Basset Hound breed

This breed was bred by French aristocrats in the 17th century. According to one version, abnormally short puppies were born to one hunting dog of the St. Hubert breed (an extinct breed of hound). Despite the strange appearance, they retained an excellent sense of smell and even found truffles, which was not possible for other dogs. The fact is that because of their low growth, they take the smell from the ground itself. Long ears help focus on the trail. Also, these unusual animals showed themselves brilliantly in hunting burrowing animals and rabbits. Then the French aristocrats decided to preserve and consolidate the valuable properties of randomly obtained dogs. They were called basset, from the French “bas” – “low”.

Soon the hunting basset was also appreciated by middle-class hunters. Since horses were expensive and not everyone had them, many hunters were forced to hunt on foot. The long-legged hounds ran far ahead, and the basset walked almost on a par with a person, which was very convenient for hunters. The dogs could pass through the thick bushes, but never lost sight of them. The white tip of the tail was always visible to the owner.

In the 18th century, the French Marquis de Lafayette presented the basset as a gift to George Washington. The president appreciated the gift and soon the breed spread throughout the US, UK and Europe.

In the UK in 1876, breeder Everett Millais crossed a short hound with a beagle . Then with bloodhound hounds . It was these dogs that became the ancestors of modern basset hounds.

Character

At the sight of the Basset Hound, it seems that this is the saddest dog in the world: a sad look, lowered ears and wrinkles on the muzzle create a dreary image. However, this impression is deceptive. The Basset Hound is a very cheerful, kind and rather active dog.

The Basset Hound was bred as a hunter, so it can hardly be called a companion, because this dog, despite the external heaviness and heaviness, will be happy to participate in outdoor games. In addition, the Basset Hound has a well-developed sense of smell, and on a walk he will definitely be interested in a new smell, trying to find the source. The owner should be very attentive to this peculiarity: a basset keen on searching can go on an independent journey.

By the way, this dog is difficult to train . It is believed that this dog has its own opinion on all commands, so it will teach them only if it considers it necessary.

The Basset Hound loves children. This love is so strong, and the dog himself is so patient that he allows you to do anything with him, even unfamiliar children. Leaving a child with a basset hound, parents can not worry about his safety. With other animals in the house, dogs of this breed also get along quite easily. They have a peaceful nature and are absolutely not prone to aggression.

Description of the breed

At first glance, it may seem that these dogs are a bit caricatured. Perhaps that is why cartoonists love them so much: huge ears, a long body, short legs, a sad look, a gait in transshipment. However, every feature of the appearance of these dogs makes them excellent hunters.

These dogs are very well built. Broad chest, strong, muscular bones. They have very dense bones. With a height of 35 centimeters, a Basset Hound can weigh as much as a 55 cm Labrador. This stockiness allows the dog to move steadily over hilly terrain while chasing rabbits.

Charming long ears. The longest among all dogs. They even set a world record. These ears help the dog follow the trail. They drag along the ground and, as if with blinkers, separate the dog from the outside world while working, stimulating him to go further along the trail.

Big wide nose. Their nose is the most sensitive in the world after the nose of the Bloodhound. It contains 20 million olfactory receptors. The eyes are large oval. Dark brown, with drooping eyelids. Light eyes (blue, blue) are considered a disadvantage of the breed. Hanging lips. They also allow the dog to additionally collect odors from the ground. The color is tricolor (black and white with red tan marks) or bicolor (red and white). A solid color is considered a defect in the breed standard.

The owners of these long-eared dogs note that the basset has an unusual characteristic smell that resembles roasted corn.

Basset Hound Care

Basset Hounds have a short coat that does not require careful grooming. It is enough to wipe the dog with a damp towel once a week to remove loose hairs.

The weak points of this breed are the ears and eyes. They are recommended to be washed and cleaned every week, removing dirt and accumulated secretions. In addition, basset hounds have profuse salivation, which should be taken into account if you want to get a dog of this breed.

Conditions of detention

The Basset Hound feels great in a city apartment, but it can also live on the street, provided that the owner provides warmth, comfort and peace in the aviary. Dogs of this breed need daily activity and walks at least twice a day, and the total duration of walks should be at least two hours.

It is important to note that the Basset Hound is famous for its excellent appetite and is ready to eat non-stop. If the dog is not provided with proper exercise, it will quickly gain weight. That is why it is so important to monitor the nutrition of the Basset Hound and consult with a veterinarian about feeding it.

Predisposition to disease

This is a hardy breed with few innate predispositions to disease. May be observed:

• Stomach problems, gas formation. You need to be very careful with your dog’s diet.
• Ear infections. Since the ears are very long, dirt accumulates in them. The condition of the ears must be carefully monitored.
• Back problems. Due to the fact that the hind legs are far from the front, these short dogs can have various back problems. It is very important not to overfeed the dog so as not to create unnecessary stress on the back.

Basset hound prices

The breed is not very common in our time and breeders are not so easy to find. A puppy without documents can be bought from 200 to 500$. Pedigree animals with a pedigree can cost 900-1500$.

Basset Hound – Video