Basset Hound: History, Characteristics, Education and Cost

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History

The Basset Hound is a dog of French origin, resulting from the crossing of several Bassets (Normand, d'Artois, Ardennais) with contributions from the Saint-Hubert dog and the Basset Artésien Normand, but historians remain divided on its origins.

The breed took off in Britain in the late 19th century with selection for a dog with heavier bone, a larger head, and more hanging skin.

The Basset Hound was then adopted on the other side of the Atlantic the following century, from 1935. It evolved from a hunting dog to a perfect companion dog in the United States. The first official Basset Hound was published by the FCI in 1987. The current official of the breed is closer to the British Basset Hound than the American one. It would only interest France later, from the 1960s.

The breed has left its mark on the media throughout history. Described by Shakespeare in his play A Midsummer Night's Dream, it was also an iconic dog in the series Columbo a few centuries later.

Physical

The Basset Hound is a short-haired dog. It is short on legs and very long. Its head is rather round, and some wrinkles are visible on the forehead and around its eyes. Slight folds can be observed on its face because its skin is very loose and elastic. Its skull forms a dome with a prominent occipital protuberance.

The breed has a moderately marked stop, almost at a right angle. Its head tapers towards the muzzle to a black, brown, or liver-colored nose. In the Basset Hound, its upper lips are very long and largely cover the lower lips. Its diamond-shaped eyes give it an expression of calm, seriousness, and, for some, sadness. Its very long ears hang on each side of its head.

 

The Basset Hound's muscular neck leads to a very long, low body, a broad back, and prominent ribs. It carries a fairly long tail, which remains rather low, but when active. Folds may be present on the limbs, in a limited number.

Regarding its coat, all the colors specific to dogs belonging to its group according to the FCI, the hound group, are permitted. Most often, the Basset Hound is tricolor (black, tan, and white) or twocolor (lemon and white).

Basset Hounds weigh between 25 and 30 kg and are between 33 and 38 cm tall.

Character

The Basset Hound is a friendly dog with everyone: children, strangers, and fellow canines or other animals. He does not have an ounce of aggression and is not fearful. Very attached to his home, he needs to receive affection from his owners. Renowned for his great calm and nonchalant appearance, make no mistake: he is a very playful dog, both with his fellow dogs and his owners or children. He can be tireless during hunting sessions, which he particularly enjoys.

Health

The Basset Hound needs a diet that is in line with its lifestyle, morphology, and age. Due to its large size, its ration must be sufficient and of good quality, especially during its growth. An exclusively industrial food can suit it very well, preferably quality kibble of the "Premium" type. A homemade household ration is not recommended for this breed that is demanding in terms of nutrition, as it is very difficult to balance without the necessary skills.

A quality diet is essential to avoid joint and bone problems. Due to its elongated spine, the Basset Hound has a very fragile back. It is also very prone to gaining weight; it can be very greedy during its growth, which is dangerous for its back. Its diet must therefore be perfectly balanced and without excess. Do not hesitate to discuss the balance of its ration with your veterinarian if in doubt. It is advisable to split its daily ration into 2 to 3 meals and to give it permanent access to a bowl of fresh water.

This rather calm dog will prefer to be with his masters in the family home than to spend long days alone. He is a companion dog who will enjoy walks in the forest with his masters. He can live just as well in the city as in the countryside in a house with a fenced garden. The main thing is that he benefits from long walks and exercise sessions for his physical and mental well-being. He is not a couch potato, contrary to what one might think! He will be delighted to follow his master on runs in the forest. This breed has a life expectancy of between 8 and 10 years. In breeding, he produces litters of 6 to 8 puppies.

 

To protect yourself from these risks and insure your companion in the event of health problems, we recommend dog insurance.

Interview

When purchasing a Basset Hound LOF puppy, it costs between 1000 and 1400 euros, and the maintenance of such a dog costs around 40 euros per month.

This breed requires moderate maintenance outside of vaccinations and diet, with some breed-specific attention points. As for grooming, the Basset Hound has a short, smooth coat. It sheds and molts moderately. Brushing once a week, and more frequently during molting periods, will be enough to remove dead hair.

This breed with sagging facial skin will require special attention to maintaining its drooping eyes and long ears. They should be inspected and cleaned daily, using a damp cloth. This limits the deposit of dirt and mucus on its eyelids.

As for his ears, their inspection, crucial when returning from a walk, allows you to ensure the absence of awns, for example. This prevents the risks of infections or irritations in the eyes and ears, to which he is predisposed. It should be noted that this dog has a high level of drooling in general.

Education

The Basset Hound, although very friendly and calm, is not the easiest dog to train. He can be particularly stubborn and drive his owners crazy if he does not receive firm and clear training from a young age. It must be as fair and clear as possible. Limits and rules must be imposed from a young age to avoid annoying behavior in adulthood.

He must be socialized quickly with his peers and strangers. Do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian or a dog trainer in case of difficulties. Positive reinforcement training methods are always to be preferred to forge a relationship of trust and complicity with your dog.

Breed specificities

Behind its appearance of a placid and inactive dog, the Basset Hound is an athletic, resistant dog that can boast a good life expectancy. However, it does not tolerate heat and bad weather very well. It will be perfectly suited to owners who are at least a little sporty and present.

A word from the veterinarian

Although it is a rather resistant dog, the Basset Hound is predisposed to several diseases: problems related to being overweight, back problems, eye and ear infections, and skin problems (Malassezia dermatitis).

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