Facts About Basset Hounds

The basset hound is a low-to-the-ground breed of dog, bred to trail hares and rabbits in France. The word "basset" is a French one that translates into "low thing" and is certainly appropriate to describe this breed of dog. Basset hounds are of a gentle nature and quite easy going, making one a fine choice as a pet in a home with children and other dogs.

  1. History

    • Researchers believe the basset hound originated some time in the 1500s. The French in particular bred short-legged dogs for trailing and hunting. After the French Revolution in the late 1700s, the basset hound became popular among the common people as a hunting dog. Crossing the breed with bloodhounds in an effort to increase its size took place in the latter part of the 1800s and through the 1930s. This effort produced the present-day version of the basset hound.

    Identification

    • An adult male typically weighs 55 to 75 pounds but is no taller than 15 inches at its shoulder. The female bassets are about 10 pounds less in weight and just an inch shorter than males. The colors range from black, brown and white to a red-and-white mix, with some even being a darker hue such as mahogany. The basset dog is a very heavy-boned dog, which accounts for its large weight in comparison to its height. The eyes of this dog make it appealing to pet owners, as they are droopy and sad-looking. The ears are long and the skin on the face is loose. The shoulders as well as the neck are strong and although the legs are short and stubby, the feet are large. The skin is loose over the body and the tail is normally a right.

    Function

    • The features of the basset hound allow it to have such great success as a scent hound. The long ears will whip up the scent as the dog trudges along and keep it around the nose for the dog to identify. The skin folds that exist under the dog's chin, which breeders call a dewlap, will trap the smell and keep it there. The many wrinkles the basset hound has all around his face and his head serve this same function. The low legs let the basset hound traverse some of the places rabbits dash to as they try to escape, but at the same time allow the hunter to keep up with the dog.

    Behavior

    • Since basset hounds have a pack dog mentality from their breeding, they easily coexist with other dogs and people. The breed has a habit of howling if left by itself for extended spans of time. The owner cannot allow a basset hound to roam, as the dog's instincts will kick in and it will begin to follow whatever scent is of the most interest to it. This leads to the basset hound becoming lost, as it may eventually find whatever left the trail but will not find its own way back to its home. Everyone that owns a basset hound should realize the dog is a very poor swimmer and should not be left alone near water.

    Upkeep

    • The lifespan of the average basset hound is 10 to 12 years but many live well beyond that number. The optimum scenario for a basset hound is a home where the dog can get out into the yard and get some daily exercise. The coat does not require much grooming at all, but the dog does drool quite a bit. It can make quite a mess when drinking and often requires someone to wipe around the mouth and face, especially after a meal. Some of the breed's major health concerns are lameness in the front legs and gastric torsion, a condition in which the stomach twists that is very dangerous.