Basset Hounds
The Basset Hound, one of the most popular AKC breeds, is a beloved dog by dog lovers around the world. Although the Basset Hound is a low-slung, low-key hound, he is charming and stubborn. The Basset Hound is only 14 inches tall at the shoulder. However, his heavy bones, powerful little legs, and huge paws create his big-dog toughness and endurance.
Bassets are known for their large, domed heads. They have mournful eyes and velvety ears. Bassets are built for endurance and speed. They move in a deliberate, but effortless manner. The Basset’s ability to sense scent is amazing. It is said that only the Bloodhound’s nose is better than any other dog’s. The Basset is gentle and friendly at home but can be stubborn on the trails and barks with a loud, ringing voice. They are loyal and faithful, even though they don’t show much affection.
Basset Hounds: History
The Basset hound’s origin story starts a long way back in ancestry. The first recorded recordings of the Basset hound are made in Egypt. They were first recorded in engravings and evidence of short-legged dogs. The history of scent hounds dates back to antiquity. They were equipped with the tools necessary to hunt.
Bassets can be traced back to France in the 1500s, where they were first bred in a specialized program. Bassets were created to be highly tuned tracking dogs that could be tracked on foot, as opposed to horseback like other breeds. Horseback hunting was restricted to the nobility so it was necessary to develop a dog that could be tracked on foot. This is why they have short legs and high levels of energy. They were also able to track in long grasslands and bushes because of their short height.
The St. Hubert’s Hound, a descendant of the St. Hubert of Belgium bloodhound, is the most popular basset hound ancestor. The St Hubert hounds were quite often given to the King of France as gifts but weren’t very highly regarded, due to their slow speeds. They were described as having a low set with tan markings and upright ears.
The popularity of Basset breeds grew in France during Napoleon III’s reign (1852-1870). Napoleon III had his own basset hounds, which contributed to some popularity for the breed. Soon after the first Parisian dog show, fame and traction began to be gained for basset hounds.
There were many types of hounds that were similar in form and bred at the time, with slight differences in stature or other characteristics. The short-haired basset was bred at this time to be closer to what we know today. This is where the basset revolution began and the origin of the basset hound.
Basset hounds arrived in England in the 19th century. They first appeared in a dog show in 1880. Shortly after, Queen Alexandria introduced bassets to the royal kennels. George Washington was the original owner of the basset in America.
There have been minor changes to the breed since then. At the end of the century, official breed standards were introduced. In 2010, a second update was made.
Basset Hounds for Sale
Basset Hound puppies are typically priced between $600 to $1200, but depending on the pedigree they could go for more than $2000. The additional costs for the dog’s environment, home, and other necessities are typically between $750-$1500.
How Long Do Basset Hounds Last?
Basset Hounds live an average of 8 to 13 years. Most Basset Hounds die due to aging and common health issues like gastric tursion, Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), and elbow dysplasia. Basset Hound owners have reported that their Basset Hounds can live up to 17 years, five years longer than their average lifespan. There are many factors that can impact the life expectancy of your Basset Hound.
Do Basset Hounds Shed?
Basset Hounds can shed moderately to heavy. This may be surprising given their size (15 inches maximum) and short coats. They shed all the time and it is quite obvious if you don’t do anything about it. This is especially true during spring when they lose their thicker winter coats.
This is called seasonal shedding. Although it can have an impact on how much fur dogs shed, it is not as obvious as a thicker or heavier coat. You shouldn’t be surprised to see a slight increase in shedding in spring and fall for a few weeks. This is normal for most dogs. Bassets shed more frequently than other dogs, such as the Smooth Fox Terrier and Pug. Instead of having one or two major “coat blows” per year, like the Gordon Setter and Chow Chow, Bassets shed more often.
Are Basset Hounds Good Dogs?
The basset hound is a friendly and easygoing dog. Bassets were originally hunted in packs and are good with other dogs and pets. Bassets are social dogs and can get along with children.
Bassets are intelligent dogs but can be difficult to train because they are stubborn. To bring out their best, you need a firm and patient hand as well as lots of creativity. Bassets can be a serious barker and have strong feet and nails that make them diggers. Bassets still have a strong hunting instinct and will hunt on their own if they are not kept under control.
How Big Are Basset Hounds?
Bassets are usually less than 15 inches tall. But don’t let their low stature fool you. They can weigh up to 70 pounds. It is difficult for most people to carry a fully grown Basset adult.
What were Basset Hounds Bred for?
The origins of the basset hound can be traced back to the 1500s, when pre-revolutionary French used heavy-bodied, low-slung hounds to chase rabbits. Befitting the Basset Hounds stature is the word “bas”, which is French for “low”. Many of the French hunting dogs, including the basset hound, we recognize today, were fine-tuned in England during the 1800s. They are very similar to the St. Hubert’s dog, with the exception of their height and leg conformation.
Bassets were chosen for their exceptional scenting abilities and because they could keep up with slow-paced hunters. Bassets were used to hunt rabbits and hares, but also sometimes to track larger wounded game. The Basset became a family pet in the United States after becoming a hunting dog. The Basset hound, now primarily a companion dog, is well-known to the public through cartoons like “Fred the Basset”.
Grooming and Coat Color
Basset Hounds are scent hounds. They have long ears and are built low to ground with lots of flaps and wrinkles. Many scent hounds have large, heavy lips and a tendency to drool. Scent hounds have sensitive noses so shampoos containing too many fragrances and dips should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. You should groom them every 4-6 weeks to clean their ears, clip nails, and check their anal glands. Oatmeal Baking Soda Face Cleanser can also be used as needed to keep the lips clean and odorless. Extreme Odor Eliminator is a must-have for the body between baths!
Hot Spot Foam and 3 in 1 Healing cream can be used to dry the wrinkles. The coat color of basset dogs is exceptional. It can be either a bicolored or tricolored coat. If you take a close look at basset hounds, it will be obvious that the colors of the head, shoulders, back, and chest coats are different than the underbelly and chest coats.
Ears
The ears of a Basset Hound are one of his most distinctive features. They are soft, flappy, and larger than their faces. Basset Hounds have the most adorable puppy dog expressions with their flappy ears and pleading eyes. Their flappy ears make them unique but they are also the most difficult to clean.
Basset Hound puppies are especially vulnerable because their ears reach the ground when they walk. This can lead to dirt getting into their ears, which can then cause bacteria and other unpleasant things to be transferred to your dog’s ears. This could lead to infection and wounds in your dog’s ears. It is crucial to clean your dog’s ears regularly.
Hunting with Bassets
The Basset Hound was created to hunt. Basset Hound’s short stature and keen nose make it a good choice for small-game hunting on foot. Many Bassets have lost many of their traditional hunting skills as hunting has become less popular. There are a few organizations that promote hunting Basset Hounds. The American Hunting Basset Association has been the most active in encouraging Basset hunting. Hunting with Basset Hounds with organizations like the American Hunting Basset Association and the Basset Hound Club of America doesn’t involve the killing of any animal. These organizations are only testing the Basset Hounds’ skills at following a rabbit’s scent.
Are Basset Hounds Good House Pets?
A dog is an integral part of your family and can be a very special member of your family, especially if it grows up with you. It is amazing to find a loving, loyal dog that will not only love your children but also care for them. Dogs have a natural ability to be loved by humans. We are often smitten with the right dog from the first day. As with humans, every dog has its own personality, temperament, and behavior. It is up to you to do your research and decide if your furry friend is a good fit for your family. Some breeds are better suited for a single-owner home, while others thrive in a group and can be a great companion. Basset Hounds are one of these dogs. They enjoy being around other dogs and can hunt in packs.
Are Basset Hounds Lazy
Basset Hounds are calm around the house and quite lazy. Basset Hounds are loyal to their owners and have a friendly, pleasant disposition. They are loyal to their families and can be a good companion for other pets, as they were originally bred to be pack dogs. Bassets are not happy to be left alone and can become destructive and start howling if they are left alone. Their distinctive baying bark can be heard over long distances and is very loud.
