Basset Hound Breed Description

An Owner's Basset Hound Description
Although either one of our hounds could have been a good house pet, as far as 'house pet' is defined, it is my belief that these two characters were created with a gift and it would be a crime for them not to be able to use it.

Their gift of smell and their ability to follow a scent is second only to the Blood Hound. The Basset was bred to hunt small game, i.e. raccoons, squirrels and such. But when I bought the pair, Jack and Jake, I didn't hunt and never had any intentions of hunting.

But I was part of a Search and Rescue unit and wanted my very own search team. I knew their short stubby legs wouldn't be good for searching rough terrain, but they work just fine in the back woods and flatlands. In fact, it was many months after they finished obedience training that I got a call to join in a search for a missing child. Excited and fearful at the same time, I loaded up Jack and Jake and it wasn't but a couple of hours and they were in the 'hunt'.

The fear came from two different directions. One was from the aspect of wanting my dogs to succeed and the other was I did not want them to find anything bad. I couldn't have asked for a better ending, however, as they found the little boy hiding in an abandoned hunter's shack. It was when I saw the tearful joy of his mother that I knew this was Jack and Jake's destiny.

These two love to hunt/search and it shows. They are very sensitive and I have to handle their discipline with mildness while being firm and consistent. But there are times they will ignore me as though they can't hear, usually if I have just scolded them. I usually have to apologize and offer a sincere pat on the head to make it all right again.

 

 

Introduction

This breed may descend from small Bloodhounds and although it originated in France, these dogs are very popular in Great Britain and in the United States. Often stubborn, but gentle and benign, the Basset was once a superb hunting dog. Their pendulous ears may have been useful for picking up scents particularly on damp mornings. The typical pet Basset is heavy, long and low. These dogs love kids and have an easy-care coat that needs little grooming. They weigh 40-60 lbs. and stand 13-15" at the shoulders.

History

When Shakespeare talked of Basset Hounds, he said they had 'ears which sweep away the morning dew". While we don't have a specific date as to the origin of this breed, if the Bard of Avon was noting their traits during his play writing days, the dogs have certainly been with us for many centuries. The Marquis de Lafayette, when the colonists claimed victory of the American Revolutionary War, presented General Washington with several Basset Hounds, known at the time as bench-legged Beagles.

As with many early hunting dogs, once recognized as a breed (for Bassets, in 1885 by the AKC) there were debates between those who wanted to maintain the animals as hunters first and foremost versus those who wanted to raise future Bassets as show dogs. The combination of the two traits became the specialty of American breeders. Today's Basset Hounds are largely smell hounds, determining the location of their prey via their excellent sense of smell. Yet they are just as happy rolling around with the family in the back yard, playing Frisbee or performing tricks.

General Description

Few dogs elicit as many smiles as Basset Hounds do! Long and low to the ground, with pendulous ears and sad looking eyes, these dogs have an endearing look that people find irresistible. They have a large head and while the muzzle is deep, the skull is round. Dark lips and loose hanging flews sit just above their pronounced dewlaps. Loose skin hangs in folds around the head. Scissors or even bite are both accepted. Their deep chest is the source of the resounding bark that is their hallmark. Full round hindquarters end in big paws, just as do the front legs. Normal colors are black, tan white or red; tri-colors are common as well, along with white with chestnut or sand markings.

Temperament

Bassets are typically well-behaved dogs that enjoy being part of a family. Often the easiest way to motivate them to do tasks and tricks (or to make outdoors rather than in your home) is to offer rewards for the behavior you're seeking

They were bred to hunt vermin and their noses are among the best in the canine world. Spare your Bassett the problem of living with small rodents - if your children have a hamster or gerbil, find it another home before adopting a Basset Hound.

Health and Care

Smooth coated, Basset Hounds need very little grooming beyond regular petting to keep their coats looking their best. Trim nails and brush teeth to keep your dog feeling and looking its best.

Like all hounds, it is important to exercise a Basset Hound daily and be sure they have the chance to run and play as that's the best way for them to keep mind and body fit and agile. They will automatically follow an interesting scent if they pick one up, so do be careful about where and when you leave your Basset off leash; they can be very hard to get back once they are on the trail of something they smell. Bassets can easily become overweight given their fondness for food, so be sure that their exercise balances with their food intake to keep your dog fit and healthy.

Colors

The colors of the Basset Hound are of any recognized hound color. This can be lemon (white and light buff), red and white, mahogany, black and white, tri-color (white body with brown head and on body with blanket, and some black spotted highlights with or without a blanket), or the Bleu De Gascogne.

Living Area

The Basset Hound can live either indoors or outdoors in today's world, but in the early 1500s and thereafter, it was bred as an outside dog due to its hunting responsibilities. This is not a small apartment-sized dog, but requires larger exercise areas or yards, or exercising outside of the home through walking or hunting.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, ANKC

Pets4You offers listings of Basset Hound breeders with puppies for sale.