Basset Hound Information

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Basset Hound

In the mid 19th century, the two largest breeders of Bassets in France were producing dogs that were slightly different from one another. One breeder had lemon and white markings while the other had dogs of the typical hound coloring. It was of the hound colored stock that Lord Galway imported a pair to England. The following year a mating of these two produced a litter of five puppies but there was no public exposure of them and no interest in the breed.

It was not until 1928 when real attention was given to the breed. That is when Time Magazine published an issue with a Basset Hound puppy on the cover.

In the United States, they are mainly used for hunting rabbits but have also been used for hunting and trailing deer and other game that can be trailed on foot. The accuracy of the Bassets nose is second only to the Bloodhound.

The Basset is very gentle, loyal and devoted to its family. Bassets are fairly laid back dogs and don't require a great deal of exercise. A decent sized fenced in backyard should be all that is needed. Bassets don't do well in kennel type situations and will bark (bay) very loudly if not happy when left alone. This will be a problem if you have neighbors close, and especially if you live in an apartment. Make sure your Basset Hound has plenty to keep himself busy with (toys/bones) while you're away from home.

Allowing your Basset Hound off lead is not a wise habit to get into. They're scent hounds, and if they smell something interesting they're going to take off following the scent trail and will ignore your calls. Even if your dog tends to obey you all the time, it's not worth the risk of him wondering off- don't allow him off lead unless in a confined area.

Health problems associated with the Basset Hound include dwarfism (achondroplasia), glaucoma, von willebrand's disease, thyroid problems, patellar luxation, elbow and Hip Dysplasia, fragmented medial caronoid process, Panosteitis (growing pains), and skin allergies. Some Bassets may have a foul "doggy" odor, and typically the cause is poor diet. Usually switching the dog to a high quality food should ease this problem however it may take 4-6 weeks until you notice any changes.

Bassets tend to also get ear infections easily. It is important to check the ears weekly for any build-up or signs of infection and to make sure the ears are always kept clean. Bassets can develop a foul odor in their ears very quickly, so owners need to be alert to their ear needs.

Bassets also tend to drool a great deal and when they get a drink of water they tend to drip water from the sides of their mouth all through your house. When they shake their heads, water and drool may get splattered on your walls, couch, etc. If you are a clean fanatic, I don't recommend a Basset.

The majority of Basset Hounds snore- and some snore very loudly. If you're a very light sleeper and cannot tolerate snoring, you may want to train your Basset as a puppy to sleep in a different area than you.

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