What You Should Know About Basset Hound Dogs

Basset Hound dogs are friendly dog and make excellent pet for families. Here are some of the facts about Basset Hound dogs:

1. What's with the name? - The word 'basset' was derived from a French word 'bas' meaning 'low'. 'Basset' literally means 'rather low'.

2. Basset the friendly dog - Along with their charming sad face, Basset Hound dogs are often considered friendly dogs both to human and other pets. They make excellent household pets and they hate being alone. To keep a Basset from trouble when you are away from home, a companion, a second pet in the family will solve the problem.

3. Long ears - Basset hound dogs are more likely to acquire ear problems because of its long and downward ears. They are more susceptible to get odorous ear wax because their ears trap dirt as they drag on the ground or floor. Regular and proper cleaning of the ears is necessary. They also have increased hearing range because of these long ears.

4. Training - Training something new to this dog is very difficult yet possible. Yes they will obey commands when they are aware of rewards but will forget the training when there is no reward. They also tend to follow their noses than listen to their trainers. If you want to train your hound, even just housebreaking or obedience training, patience and consistency is essential.

5. Bark - Basset hound dogs don't usually bark. They might howl when they want something or they want to indicate something. They also tend to use low murmuring whine when they want to get attention or if they are begging for something, either a toy or a treat. Some dog owners think that their dog's whining seems to sound as though they are talking.

6. Bred for what? - This breed from French ancestors is primarily bred to hunt by scent. They are considered as scent hounds and their capacity to track to scent is second only to that of Bloodhound. These large dogs with short legs are also bred to have achrondroplasia, also known as dwarfism.

7. Weight - These dogs can be deceiving. A basset hound seems to be small but in fact they are not. They usually weight 50-70 pounds and can reach things on table tops because of their long bodies.

8. White tail - This breed has long and tapering tails. The tail usually stands upright with a curve and should be tipped in white. The tails are tipped in white for tracking and hunting purposes.

Basset hound dogs are really easy to care for as long as you are knowledgeable about the characteristics and needs of this dog. Go and get one! A basset hound may be the right breed for you and your family.

Basset Hound - Its History and Origin

Basset hounds are supposedly named from the French word 'BAS' meaning low or dwarfed. This was mainly used in reference to the low slung body feature of the hound. Basset Hound is such a breed that it was rarely known to many dog lovers even few decades back, in spite of it being popular in France. The first documented record of Basset hounds come from the writings of De Fouilloux published in the year 1573.

According to De Fouilloux, Basset d' Artois (Name of basset hounds in those days) were mainly of two varieties The Artesian which had crooked forelegs and the Flemish which had straight legs. They came originally from areas in and around Flanders. The descendents of the Flemish varieties still exists today in the Fort Noire, Voges and according to some in German dachshund. People who believe that German dachshund is a descendent of Basset hounds claims so because they believe Basset might have been imported to Wurtemberg (home of dachshunds) and made to cross with the terrier to introduce courage that is lacking in hounds. Basset hounds unlike other blood relatives, like the Hounds of Artois, Normandy, Gascony and Saintgone, survived the political turmoil which saw its lesser fortunate relatives go extinct.

For the patronage from some quarters of old noblesse Basset of Artois were preserved in purity. Basset hounds were shown for the first time in the Paris Dog show in the year 1863 and after ten years Sir John Everett Millais brought to England the Hound called 'Model' and appeared at the wolverhampton show in the year 1875. The basset hound was officially recognized by Kennel club in 1880, and was given separate classes of its own at the wolverhampton where Basset had made his debut appearance in 1875 when it had appeared in the A.V. foreign dog class. The basset hound club was formed in 1884.

All About the Basset Hound Dog Breed

The Basset Hound: A British bred dog perfect for a family

The Basset Hound, also sometimes called the “Hush Puppy”, is a British breed that descends from the French Stag Hound. It is a short and heavy set dog breed that only grows to be about 15 inches tall. Their weight should range between 40 and 60 pounds when fully grown. They have a short dense fur coat that comes in such colors as white, tan, yellow, and black. Spots and masking are also common.

Characteristics and behavior of the Basset Hound

The Basset Hound is a loving, happy-go-lucky dog that makes a great family pet. They also respond well to other animals and pets. The only thing you have to watch out for is male aggression towards other male dogs. In addition to making a great family pet they also work well as a watch dog.

Regular health care and grooming of the Basset Hound

To care for and groom this breed you will need to brush their fur coat on a semi-regular basis. You will need to pay more attention to their ears. Because they have long floppy ears you will need to make sure that they stay clean. Some of the health issues that you will need to keep your eyes open for include obesity, spine problems, leg problems, ear infections, bloating, and possible skin infections. If you have a female Basset Hound who is going to have puppies you should plan for them to be delivered by cesarean section.

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