Basset Hound

The Basset Hound is a short-legged breed that is believed to have descended from the Saint Hubert Hound. His name comes from the French word “bas,” which means low.

These short Basset Hounds were popular with the French nobility. Later on, they became hunting dogs of commoners after the French Revolution. They were originally bred to track small animals, like rabbits and hare, in places that horses could not reach.

A Basset Hound named Model was first brought by Sir Everette Millais to England in 1874. He started a breeding programme independently and sought the help of Lord Onslow and George Krehl. He was then referred to as the Father of the Basset Hound dog breed in England for his efforts.

This short Hound is recognised by the Kennel Club of England under the Hound Group in 1882. Then the a breed club for the English Basset Hound was established in 1884.

This Scent Hound did not arrive in the United States until early in the 20th century. In the 1960s, he became a part of pop culture with the help of the Hush Puppy shoes advertising campaign. The comic strip Fred Basset further propelled his popularity among the masses.  

The Basset Hound was recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1885. The Basset Hound Club of America was later formed in 1993.

The Basset Hound breed is a medium-sized dog with a thick body.

A full-grown male Basset Hound dog weighs around 22–29 kilos (50–65 pounds) and stand 30–38 centimetres (12–15 inches) tall. An adult female Basset Hound measures approximately 20–27 kilos (45–60 pounds) in weight and 27–35 centimetres (11–14 inches) in height.

A female Basset Hound can give birth to around 6–7 puppies. It will take around 16–18 months for Basset Hound puppies to reach their full height and mental maturity. However, they won't become adult dogs until they turn 2 years old.

Basset Hounds are known for their short stature, which is caused by the genetic condition osteochondrodysplasia (abnormal growth of the bone and cartilage). However, they are well balanced, active, and strong, making him a good working Hound.

The Basset Hound dog breed has a domed head and big, long, low-set ears. His eyes are generally black and lozenged-shaped, but mid-brown eyes are possible for light-coloured Basset Hounds. Light or yellow eye colour in the breed is highly undesirable.  His front legs are turned outwards for better navigation and movement.

Basset Hounds have slight facial wrinkles at the brows and beside the eyes. Note that excessive wrinkles are considered a fault in dog shows. Their noses commonly come in black. However, light-coloured Basset Hounds usually have brown or liver-coloured noses.

The Basset Hound breed has a short, smooth, and hard-textured coat that is water- and dirt-repellent. According to the Kennel Club breed standard, the Basset Hound’s standard colours are tricolour, lemon and white, red and white, tan and white. Any recognised Hound colour is also acceptable.

Since Basset Hounds shed all-year round, they need to be brushed at least thrice a week to control their shedding. Bathing should be done sparsely, unless they have played or rolled in something smelly.

Grooming Basset Hounds also involves cleaning their facial wrinkles every day. Since their eyes are prone to becoming teary, gunk may collect on the corners. These should be wiped off using a clean cloth daily.

Trimming their nails and cleaning their ears are to be done once a week. Their teeth require daily brushing as periodontal diseases are prevalent in dogs.

Are Basset Hounds high-maintenance?

Yes, Basset Hounds are high-maintenance dogs. Apart from the grooming requirements mentioned above, cleaning their ears daily is also necessary. Their long ears are prone to ear infections because these droop downwards, allowing bacteria and dirt to accumulate.

Basset Hounds are also heavy droolers, so be prepared to frequently wipe off their drool with a towel throughout the day.

The medium-sized Basset Hound breed is a Scent Hound with an exceptional scenting ability, second only to the Bloodhound, which is a large dog.

Basset Hound is not easy to train because of his stubbornness. You’ll definitely need a lot of patience and positive reinforcements, which can include a lot of tasty treats. He does not respond to harsh commands because he is emotionally sensitive.

Are Basset Hounds good pets?

Yes, Basset Hounds are good pets. They are friendly, loyal, and calm. These good-natured dogs are one of the most laid-back breeds. They are gentle towards children and other pets.

Strangers are also met with wagging tails and nuzzles, so Basset Hounds are not suitable as guard dogs and watchdogs.

Do Basset Hounds bark?

What problems do Basset Hounds have? Frequent barking and baying are observed in these short Scent Hounds, especially if they are left alone for long periods.

Basset Hounds love being with their family, and if they lack interaction, separation anxiety may develop. It is one of the most common causes of their nuisance barking.

Adult Basset Hounds are recommended to have 1.5–2.5 cups of excellent-quality dry dog food per day.

Like every breed, the amount of food for your dog depends on his age, size, build, activity level, and metabolism. It is important to consider the individual needs of your dog aside from considering his nutritional needs as a breed.

Here are the typical calorie needs of an adult Basset Hound per day:

• Senior and less active: up to 1,000 calories daily
• Typical adult: up to 1,230 calories daily
• Physically active/working dog: up to 1,960 calories daily

The Basset Hound dog breed has a small but dense body that requires a lot of muscle, so protein is very important in his diet. Animal proteins are the best sources such as beef, lamb, chicken, and eggs.

As a working dog, the Basset Hound breed needs omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for energy and a healthy coat. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are also significant fat-soluble vitamins to assist in strengthening cell membranes.

Another source of energy, as well as for metabolism regulation, is carbs. However, since the Basset Hound dog breed is prone to obesity, control the amount and choose the good kind of carbs.

See to it that they come from barley, oats, sweet potatoes, and complex carbs. Steer clear from refined, starchy fillers like corn, wheat, and soy.

The Basset Hound breed has a number of health problems due to his physical traits and genetics. Here are the most common health issues observed in this dog breed:

Bone and Joint Problems

Elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia are hereditary health conditions in the Basset Hound breed. These are characterised by the degeneration or looseness of the joint on the elbows and hips.

Although both are not fatal diseases, they can impede your Scent Hound dog from fully enjoying life as these can cause lameness and pain. Treatment options for these conditions are medication and surgery.

von Willebrand Disease (vWD)

Some breeds are at high risk of bleeding disorders than others, and the Basset Hound is one of them. vWD is inherited haemostasis in the breed caused by the lack of specific protein that is necessary for blood clotting.

A cure is yet to be found for this disease, but it can be managed through blood transfusions.

Wobbler Syndrome

It is a disease that occurs due to a defect on the cervical spine, which causes these Hound dogs to exhibit a wobbly gait. Other symptoms of this neurological disorder are neck pain, loss of muscle mass on the hind legs, and weakness.

Wobbler syndrome can be treated through medications and activity restrictions. Surgery is also an option, but recurrence of the disease is a possibility.

Intervertebral Disc Disease

It is a spinal cord disorder resulting from the degeneration or breakage of the soft cartilage found between vertebrae. This occurs to the Basset Hound breed due to his body structure.

Intense pain, lethargy, and difficulty in walking commonly come with this disease. Some of these Scent Hounds may even suffer from limb paralysis. Mild cases are treated with medications. However, if the symptoms don't alleviate, surgery may be necessary.

Glaucoma

This is a degenerative eye disorder that places pressure on the eyes, which can cause vision loss. Currently, there is no cure for this condition.

The vet will prescribe medications to prevent glaucoma from progressing. Follow-up monitoring is also needed to determine whether your Basset is positively responding to the medicine or not.

How long do Basset Hounds live?

The average lifespan of the Basset Hound breed is 10–12 years.

There are many ways to make sure that your Basset Hound puppy lives a happy and long life with you. These include feeding him healthy and balanced meals, regularly going to the vet for health checks, giving him ample amounts of exercise, and showering him with lots of love and affection.

Are Basset Hounds lazy?

Yes, Basset Hounds tend to be lazy, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t need exercise. These dogs were bred to be Scent Hounds, thus they have a great amount of endurance. They require at least an hour of exercise or they will become destructive.

Taking long walks and incorporating tracking activities are great physical activities that will also prevent obesity in Basset Hounds. They should be kept on lead during walks. They tend to wander when they find an interesting scent and would not mind any threat or danger.

Do Basset Hounds like water?

No, Basset Hounds are often wary of water because their heavy-boned bodies make swimming a difficult task. Make sure to let him wear a proper doggy life vest if you take him for a swim. Be sure to be there to assist him in the water in case he encounters difficulties in swimming.

The price for a well-bred and healthy Basset Hound puppy from a KC-registered breeder can cost anywhere from £2,000–£2,500.

Beware of illicit breeders who sell Basset Hound puppies at a low cost. They have poor breeding practices, and their litters are often afflicted with diseases and behavioural problems.

A better and safer alternative to buying a puppy from a breeder would be adopting from Basset Hound rescue organisations or rescue groups. In this way, you are helping save dogs and providing them with a better home where they are loved and cared for.

When it comes to feeding, the Basset Hound breed requires a fair amount of caloric intake to fuel his energy. Thus, the food costs for your new pooch will typically range from £40–£60 for a high-quality dog food.

Welcoming your Basset Hound puppy would mean providing him with his essential needs such as a dog bed, crate, and toys. You will have to shell out about £200–£400 for these items.

Aside from his necessities, veterinary care is also included in your pet’s expenses. Set aside around £30–£60 for every vet check-up session.

Puppies have delicate immune systems that are not yet fully equipped to protect them from diseases. For this reason, vaccinating your Basset Hound puppy is important.

The first round of vaccine shots costs around £100–150, whilst annual boosters cost approximately £50–£60. Getting your puppy spayed or neutered will add £100–£300 to your vet bills.

The expenses of your Basset Hound puppy's vet bills can shoot up drastically during emergencies. By acquiring pet insurance, you will be able to minimise the cost.

The monthly payment for a time-limited package is around £15–£20. If you opt for a lifetime package that has a wider medical coverage, be prepared to spend around £18 to over £80 every month.