Basset Hound: temperament, size, care and health

About the Basset Hound

The Basset Hound is a low, long, heavy dog with short crooked legs, loose skin, a mournful face and ears that reach past the end of the muzzle. It stands about a foot tall, yet weighs as much as many medium breeds, because the bone is dense and the body substantial. The name comes from the French word for low. The skin over the head and neck folds into wrinkles, and the lower eyelids droop, giving the face its famous look.

The breed was developed to follow a scent slowly and surely, so hunters could keep up with it on foot. Its nose is second only to the Bloodhound's in the hound world, and the long ears and loose skin are thought to help sweep scent toward the nose. Most Bassets today are family pets, valued for their placid manner.

Temperament and family life

A Basset is gentle, sociable and rarely aggressive. It wants to be with its family and does not do well left in a yard alone. It generally enjoys children and is patient with their attention, though a small child should not climb on a dog whose back and legs are easily strained. It gets along with most other dogs, and a pack of Bassets is a common sight in households that keep more than one.

Strangers are usually met with a lazy greeting. The breed has a deep, carrying bay, and some individuals use it often, especially when bored or left alone. Cats are generally fine, particularly if introduced early.

Exercise and training

Despite the sleepy look, a Basset needs a daily walk of moderate length and a chance to sniff. A walk with a Basset is slow because every scent matters. It should be on a leash or in a fenced space, since a dog that finds a trail will follow it without hearing a call. Long runs and jumping are not advised, particularly for puppies, whose bones and joints are still forming.

Training requires patience. Bassets are bright enough but strongly independent, and they do not hurry to please. Food rewards, short sessions and a good-humored approach work best. House training is often slow. Without enough activity a Basset grows overweight, which in turn makes it less willing to move.

Grooming and shedding

The short coat is easy to keep. A weekly brushing with a rubber curry or hound glove takes out loose hair, and a bath every month or two keeps the typical hound odor in check. The breed sheds all year, and the stiff short hairs cling to upholstery.

Skin folds and ears need more attention than the coat. The long ears trap wax and moisture, and the facial folds can become sore, so both should be cleaned and dried regularly. Drool collects on the lips and chest. Nails grow fast and, if left long, push the heavy body onto the wrong part of the foot.

Health

The Basset's build brings particular risks. These include intervertebral disc disease, hip and elbow dysplasia and obesity, which makes all of them worse. Deep-chested dogs can suffer bloat, a sudden and dangerous swelling of the stomach that needs immediate veterinary help. Ear infections and skin fold problems are common, and eye conditions such as glaucoma and drooping eyelids occur. Responsible breeders screen hips and elbows and test for inherited blood disorders such as thrombopathia. This overview of the Basset Hound is general information; for any particular dog, ask a veterinarian.

History

The breed is generally traced to France, where short-legged versions of larger hounds were kept for hunting hare and rabbit. French dogs were crossed with Bloodhound blood in England in the nineteenth century, which gave the modern heavier type. The breed became a familiar cartoon and advertising figure in the twentieth century.

Is the Basset Hound right for you?

A Basset suits a patient household that wants a calm, affectionate dog and does not mind drool, hair and a baying voice. It is a poor match for anyone seeking a jogging partner, a quick learner or a dog that stays tidy.

If you want the same nose in a lighter dog, look at the Beagle. For a rougher coat and a livelier attitude, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is a close cousin, and the Bloodhound offers the tracking ability at a much larger size.