They originated in France, to track rabbit, fox, pheasant and badger. They have been a favorite of royalty, peasants and even a U.S. president. It has been reported Marquis de Lafayette, of France, gave George Washington seven Basset Hounds as a gift following the American Revolution.
The Basset is a phenomenal scent hound. Their keen sense of smell is second only to that of their cousins, the Bloodhound. With their nose to the ground, they waft the scent of the animal they are tracking with their enormous, floppy ears, trapping it in their dewlap (folds of skin under their neck.)
Basset in French means "rather low." That perfectly describes this amiable hound. Standing only about a foot tall, with their white tipped tail waving like a flag, they would lead their owners on a rather relaxed paced hunt.
They are in the Hound group, but are not typical hounds stamina wise. Working at a slower pace than most hounds, they are used for tracking and search and rescue.
Nicknamed the Hush Puppy, they have charmed young and old with their clownish antics and sweet dispositions. When asked to describe their vertically challenged pet, they will smile and say; silly, friendly, patient, great with children, wonderful with other animals, not confrontational, calm, lazy, can be stubborn, just smart enough, relentless begger, fun, loves to do tricks, sweet, affectionate, gentle and very vocal.
Typical of hounds, Bassets love to be heard. They are barkers and bayers and have an opinion on just about everything! Some claim when they whine, it almost sounds like they are having a conversation with you.
Not known to be an energetic breed, they do best with a family that is moderately active. A couple of long walks a day and some interactive playtime with you in the backyard will suit this docile canine just fine. Then they are more than ready to go inside have a little snack, curl up next to the boss and take a nap.
They are short, but, they have a long body. Extremely curious, don't be surprised if you find them standing on their back legs scoping tables for goodies.
Their stumpy, undersized legs make them a terrific dog for older people too. Bred to leisurely walk with hunters, they are a far cry from sprinters at the starting line.
Unless your Hush Puppy is trained to respond immediately to recall, never let them off lead. Once that extraordinary nose hits the ground, they can mentally block everything else out.
What an excellent dog for first time owners! They may not be the most intelligent breed, but they do love to please their family. Extremely food motivated, a couple of pea size treats can inspire most to learn just about anything. It is suggested to get them into positive reinforcement, punishment-free Puppy Kindergarten as soon as you can. They may be short, but they are powerful. Teaching them how to walk with a loose leash is important. As stated previously, once that nose hits the ground the rest of them follow it!
In addition, they love people and other animals, so socialization is very important. It helps to keep them well balanced and well-mannered. Enroll them in obedience or socialization classes, then watch them show off. They love an audience.
Be patient with the housebreaking. It takes them awhile to catch on to it. Usually what happens is, once their nose hits the ground, they forget the objective of the mission.
Bassets have their fair share of health issues. It is no surprise due to those floppy ears, they are prone to ear canal problems. Some ear infections can be chronic or even fatal. Being so close to the ground also makes them easy targets for eye problems. Obesity, yeast infections around their mouth, elbow and hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, arthritis, dermatitis, Gastric-Dialation and Volvulus GDV (bloat), Von Willebrands Disease, spinal cord injuries, hypothroidism and thrombopathia (disorder of the small blood cells).
Keeping your Basset from becoming obese may reduce the risk of some health issues. They love to eat! It is suggested to feed them three small meals a day, rather than one large one. Go easy on treats. To reduce the risk of bloat, no meals for at least one hour prior to or following exercise.
If your pet has over indulged, watch them like hawk. Signs to watch for are: distended abdomen, shallow breathing, retching, profuse salivation, and restless. Bloat is a life threatening condition. Err on the side of caution. Immediately take your pet to the nearest veterinarian. Their stomach has twisted and they are dying!
Ideal weight for this breed is 35-60 pounds. Their average life span is 10-12 years.
Two more precautions you must be aware of to keep your Basset safe and healthy, NO SWIMMING! Bassets cannot swim without someone holding them up. The other is NO JUMPING! Their short legs are not made to bear the impact of jumping. Keep them off of furniture and discourage jumping to avoid spinal cord and bone injuries.
Bassets are heavy shedders. Be prepared to brush them often. Keep a "shlub towel" handy to wipe their mouth; most Hush Puppies drool. Make sure all those rolls and folds are dried after baths. Examine and if necessary, clean their ears weekly. They also need their nails clipped more often than most breeds.
Bottom line: Do your homework! Research this breed. Talk to Basset Hound owners before purchasing or adopting one. Avoid like the plague: flea markets, backyard breeders, classified ads, and pet stores. They only perpetuate the horrific puppy mills that flood the market with poor quality pets. Spend a few dollars more. Find a responsible, trustworthy breeder, who takes pride in the quality of their dogs. Check shelters and rescues. As Bassets are a favorite of older people, many are surrendered due to nothing more than unfortunate life circumstances. Who knows, perhaps your new best friend may be there, patiently waiting for you.
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