Basset Hound
Description
It has been
claimed that the origins of the Basset Hound stems from a cross between
the Bloodhound and the
Beagle, while others say it was a mutation found
in a litter of Stag hounds, whereas another theory is that the Basset is
a descendant of the old St Hubert hounds. They were reportedly used by
the British land gentry when hunting on foot because of their short legs
and steady gait enabling them to keep pace whereas other hounds had to
be followed on horseback.
Temperament
They
can be quite
stubborn at times, but all in all are a gentle and loyal breed. Not a
particularly playful breed, they have a low level of excitability and
general activity. As the Basset Hound is neither active, excitable nor
aggressive, they don't have a tendency to snap at children and are ideal
for any easy going family.
Appearance
Height:
28-38cm
(11-15in)
Weight: 20-29kg
(45-65lb)
Group: Hounds
This short legged
breed is a deep voiced pack hound with a long, powerful body and is
predominately characterized by its loose skin and low-set ears which
hang in folds. Basset Hounds are tricoloured (white, black and brown),
lemon (pale lemon and white), red and white, and blank red (solid red
with a speck of white on the tail tip and feet) and on rare occasions
white Bassets may be seen.
Grooming
To maintain their
short coat, regular brushing will be required to keep it in good
condition. The other part of this grooming routine should also include
wiping the dog over to remove loose hair, clipping and filing nails,
cleaning the eyes and ears and regular baths. If you don't have the
time to bath or groom your dog, your local dog grooming
parlour provides these services.
Life Expectancy
11-14 years.
Health Concerns
The
Basset Hound, does suffer from several inherent problems with the most
common being shoulder and foreleg lameness. They can also suffer back
strain and slipped discs, therefore climbing stairs and overeating
should be avoided because these activities can put extra strain on the
spine and they should always be picked up correctly with one hand under
the chest and the other supporting the rear end to avoid strain on the
spine and front legs. As with most long eared dogs the Basset's ears can
droop into food and if moist, will become infected, so they must be
regularly checked and cleaned. The Basset's loose-lidded eyes
predispose the breed to entropion (inversion of the eyelids) and
ectropion (excess drooping of the eyelids) and weepy eyes will need to
be bathed with warm water to prevent excessive accumulation of dirt and
dust.
Always try to feed good
quality dog food to extend the life and health of your
dog.
Suitability
The Basset Hound
is stubborn by nature and proves difficult to train, so training from an
early age is highly recommended to avoid future problems. These dogs
make excellent family pets and companions. Due to their low level of
aggression do not make good guard dogs. Good luck when trying to house
train these dogs as the Basset Hound presents quite a challenge and lots
of patience will be required. Even though the Basset is short in
stature, they are not recommended for inner city living as they
require at least 30 minutes per day of exercise and a good sized and
securely fenced yard as they have no road-sense at all. This breed is
particularly suited to families or an older couple who will take them on
slow walks and give them lots of attention.
Basset Hounds -
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