Basset Hound Dog

The Basset Hound is an affable dog that gets on with most people and makes the ideal family pet. It does, however, retain strong hound instincts and will wander miles if a gate is left conveniently open. Basset owners are always telling folk about their Basset's roamings, often quite far afield, but it is up to owners to see that their properties are adequately fenced. Like the Beagle, the Basset has a mind of its own; it is eminently lovable, but not always obedient - unless it chooses.

Basset Hounds can be wilful at times. Moreover, they like to wander and need plenty of exercise.

Origin and history

The Basset Hound is of French origin, being derived from the French Basset Artesien-Normand, which was imported to England and crossed with the Bloodhound. It is a slow but sure tracker, still used in the United Kingdom to hunt hare. Primarily, however, it is kept as a popular household pet. French sources maintain that the first Bassets appeared in a litter of normal long-legged hounds and that after breeding from these the Basset (which means 'dwarf') Hound appeared.

The earliest known mention of the use of the word 'Basset' to describe a breed of dog has been found in a late-sixteenth century text on hunting written by Fouilloux. An illustration shows a sportsman going out accompanied by his group of badger dogs or 'Bassets'.

Basset Hound Puppies

Good points

• Equable temperament
• Good with children
• Ideal family pet

Take heed

• Needs lots of exercise
• Likes to wander

Size

Height: 13-15in (33-38cm)

Exercise

Most important. If you can't give a Basset Hound plenty of exercise don't have one.

Basset Hound Information

Health care

Choose the specimen with the straightest limbs, even if those knobbly knees seem attractive.

General characteristics
A short­legged hound of considerable substance, well-balanced and full of quality. Action is most important. A smooth free action is desired with forelegs reaching well forward and hindlegs showing powerful thrust while the hound moves true both front and rear Hocks and stifles must not be stiff in movement, nor must any toes be dragged.

Colour
Generally black, white and tan, or lemon and white; but any recognized hound colour is acceptable.

Head and skull
Domed with some stop and the occipital bone prominent, of medium width at the brow and tapering slightly to the muzzle; the general appearance of the foreface is lean but not snipy. The top of the muzzle is nearly parallel with the line from stop to occiput and not much longer than the head from stop to occiput.

There may be a moderate amount of wrinkle at the brows and beside the eyes, and the skin of the head should be so loose as to wrinkle noticeably when drawn forward or when the head is lowered. The flews of the upper lip overlap the lower substantially.

Tail
Well set on, rather long, strong at the base and tapering with a moderate amount of coarse hair underneath. When the hound is moving, the stern is carried well up and curves gently sabre-fashion over the back but is never curling.

Feet
Massive, well knuckled-up and padded. The forefeet may point straight ahead or be turned slightly outwards. In every case the hound must stand perfectly true, the weight being borne equally by toes with pads together so that the feet would leave the imprint of a large hound with no unpadded areas in contact with the ground.

Basset Hound Feeding & Grooming

Grooming

Frequent brushing and combing. Pay attention to ears and toenails.

Feeding

Thirteen-200z (369-587g) of a branded, meaty product with biscuit added in equal part by volume, or 13/4-3 cupfuls of a dry food, complete diet, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to 112 cup of hot or cold water. Careful feeding in puppyhood is advocated for this fast-growing breed.

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