Basset Hound
Basset Hound
Basset Hound
The Basset Hound’s adorably floppy ears and sad-looking eyes might win you over. But their attitude is what you’ll fall in love with. These gentle dogs are generally less rambunctious than many breeds. And while they can be stubborn at times, you can minimize their intransigence with reward-based training and motivational aids.
Basset Hound
Weight
Height
11–15 in
Lifespan
10–13 yr
Breed Group
Hound
General Appearance
Perhaps the most identifiable of all breeds, the Basset Hound sports a characteristic large, domed skull, large paws, long droopy ears, and sad eyes with a wrinkled brow over them.
Coat and Coloring
The Basset Hound may be any color hound—ranging from a number of blacks, tans, and whites. A black saddle might also be feasible. Long coats are not permitted in the breed standard, but to some, this is seen as a positive characteristic.
Characteristic Physical Features
The Basset Hound’s short, compact body, long, hanging ears, furrowed forehead, and sad, deep-set eyes are all characteristic of the breed.
Attributes
In the past, traits included an elongated face (dolichocephalic), short curved legs, naturally floppy ears, drooping eyes, and wrinkled skin folds.
Size
Weight
Male 40-60 lbs.
Female 40-60 lbs.
Height (at withers)
Male 14 in.
Female 13 in.
Coat
Length
Short
Texture
Flat
Color
Any recognized hound color
Care
Exercise
Daily walk
Energy Level
Laid back
Longevity
8-12 yrs.
Needs
Moderate
Traits
- Barking
- Snoring
- Drooling
- Grooming
- Social Needs
- Digging
Basset Hound
Club Recognition
AKC Class.
Hound
UKC Class.
Scent Hound
Prevalence
Common
Basset hounds are serious barkers and with their stout feet and nails, also diggers.
About
Bassets are huge-boned dogs with a big body on relatively short legs. Because they are heavy, bassets are slow-growing dogs, frequently not reaching full maturity until two years of age. Basset Hounds are easily recognized by their short, curved legs, long drooping ears, large heads with loose lips, soulful eyes, and wrinkled brows. The tail is upcurved and carried rather gaily. The body is long and with the short legs creates a rectangular shape for bassets. The basset has a pleasant short, close coat, with no long hairs on tail or legs. Colors most frequently encountered are red and white or tricolor but any hound coloration is permissible.
Personality
The basset hound is a laid-back, friendly dog. Initially hunting in packs, they are usually good with other dogs and other pets overall. Bassets are human oriented and are great with children. Basset Hounds are intelligent but can be challenging to train due to their independent and stubborn nature. Training them requires patience, consistency, and a bit of creativity. They are also known for frequent barking and, with their strong paws and nails, often enjoy digging. The hunting urge is still quite strong and if not safely confined they will go off hunting on their own.
Skin and Ear Issues
Basset Hounds tend to be prone to seborrhea and allergies. This can cause recurring skin infections or ear infections. Bassets may also get bacterial and yeast infections quite often, particularly along their skin folds.
Ear and skin infections hurt any dog. Scratching, skin rashes, head shaking, ear debris, or a strong odor could be a sign of infection. If you notice any of these symptoms, be sure to reach out to your vet.
Regular bathing with medicated shampoo and post-bath cleaning of the ears prevents and treats infection. Your veterinarian might also prescribe medication like Apoquel or Cytopoint to treat allergies and prevent inflammation.
Care and maintenance
The Basset Hound is a heavy and medium dog with short legs, and it will come with the costs and woes of similar breeds in terms of size and weight. It needs as much as an hour of walking or playing in the cooler periods of the day. The Basset is a tracking hound and likes to get out and sniff, and it is well-suited to tracking a scent trail. But when tracking a scent, it can be ignored when the owner calls it back. While dogs may not be the fastest runners, they can easily outrun most owners, so it’s best to give them exercise either on a leash or within a secure, fenced space. Bassets do not jump well and might need assistance climbing into cars. They are good in field trials, obedience trials, and tracking but are terrible swimmers.