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Introduction   Welcome to the land of
the Basset Hound, the gentle giant. The number one item on a Basset’s list is to
please everyone around it. They achieve their goal by doing clownish things every day of
the week. Now you are ready to step into the secret world of the Basset Hound
Origin
The Basset Hound was bred in France at around
the 1500’s. The reason they are called "Basset" is derived from the French
word "bas set ", which means low-set. So, in English, Basset Hound really means
Low-set Hound.
 Bassets
were bred for slow trailing hares and rabbits. The reason this was benifical to humans was
that we did not have to ride horses to catch rabbits. The bad part of trailing rabbits, on
horseback, is that they get scared of the clamorous noises that a horse’s hooves
produce. People still use Bassets for hunting rabbits today.
In 1894, breeder Sir Everett Millais disapproved of the
effects of crossbreeding a Basset hound and a Blood Hound, to make Basset puppies. The
first litter made half the amount of puppies totally black and the other half all tan. The
pups were also frail & small and some of them died.
Millais went through many litters of disappointments, until he bred a black Basset from a
previous litter and a tan & white Basset from another family, and the end result was
different from all of the rest. The puppies fur color was now had Tricolor ( White, tan,
and black) markings, instead of all one color. Not only were the pups more colorful, they
were healthier and larger. They became this way because Millais had been breeding Bassets
that were in the same family, which causes life- threatening diseases.
Demeanor
The Basset Hound is often dubbed as a half-witted, clumsy
dog. But they are actually very clever and have unexpected agility in their movements.
They have a very gentle and lovable temperament and are, quite frankly, the best dog with
children. Bassets tend to be obedient, but you must train all through their puppyhood (
and a bit during adulthood) to get them to listen to you when they’re older. They
have a tendency to be intensely stubborn. For instance, you tell your Basset to come, it
looks at you and knows your calling it to you, but runs in the other direction
nevertheless.
 The Basset
Hound is usually a very joyful dog despite their melancholy face. They love people so much
and always want to do what the whole pack is doing. Many dogs desire to be the leader of
the pack, but Bassets have a different idea. They want a defined leader to follow, but if
there is none, they think since there is no leader, and there should be, they take on the
role.
A Basset needs a large apartment or a small house to feel
comfortable. They like the feeling of warmth and coziness. But they still need a great
deal of space to move around in, since they’re so massive in weight and size. You
would be making an awful mistake if you had a Basset in a small apartment. They usually
make so much noise, in their howling and such, that it would overwhelming in such a small
space. IV: Appearance.
 Bassets may look
comical and not proportioned appropriately but their bodies serve as a function. Earlier I
told you about the origin of their existence, but now I’ll tell you why they look the
way they do.
Their head is massive and doesn’t look like it would never be a perfect fit for their
long body, but , surprisingly enough, it does. It doesn’t really help that the have a
long snout. But the truth is that’s what makes a Basset look different from all the
rest. Bassets ears are very lengthy and feel velvety against your skin. Sometimes, when
Bassets are bred by amateur breeders, they are born with their ears are too short.
  A Basset’s tail
should never be docked. It should be long, analogous to a whip. You know if your Basset is
a true hunter, look at the tip of it’s tail. If the tip is white, you have a hunter.
It is white because when Bassets hunt, it’s hard to see where they are. Hence, the
white tip is seen well and the hunter can see his dog.
The average female Basset should weigh between 45-50 pounds
and a male’s weight should never exceed 78 pounds. Their heavy bones make them weigh
more than you would think. Just make sure that a Basset doesn’t get fat. A lot of
people feed their Basset Hound, more than it should be fed, because this breed of hound
looks so sad.
The explanation for their mounds of loose skin is because
it holds scents in. So, when the hunt, they’ll be hot on the trail to a rabbit. The
only fault about the skin is it makes a Basset smell, and you have to live with it.
One distasteful thing about Basset hounds is they drool.
That is the number one reason people get rid of their Bassets.
Their coat stays very short but it sheds a considerable
amount. It also comes in many colors. There’s Tri-color (Tan, black, and white) , Tan
and white, and Lemon and white.
Their paws are very wide for control of the Basset’s
massive body. Also, their nails are thick, long, and are as sharp as a Great Dane’s
nails. Their nails are so spiky they can cut through an average garden hose.
Health
- Despite the sad look of their face, Bassets tend to have
better health than any other breed of dog.
- One problem they can develop is arthritis. They can acquire
it because of their odd bone structure. When they jump up and down for a prolonged period
of time (Like getting on and off a sofa) they run the risk of developing it.
- Basset Hounds can also have torsion. Torsion is when the
stomach’s ends flip and cause the stomach not to let food in. If it doesn’t turn
around in time, the stomach dies, causing the dog never to eat. You have to eat to live
so, the dog dies.
- Another problem they can have that is related to torsion, is
bloat. Bloat is when dry food is in the stomach and lots of water is ingested. This causes
the food to expand making the Basset sick.
- Because the Basset’s nose is close to the ground pretty
much at all times, it picks up parasites, bacteria, and some viral diseases.
- Since the Basset hound’s ears are so long and floppy,
they have a tendency to get odorous ears. Ear wax builds up and can lead to an ear
infection if not properly cleaned. To keep your Basset smelling fresh and put an end to
ear infections, clean it’s ears 2 to 3 times a week with a mixture of water and
hydrogen peroxide.
Grooming
As you read earlier, a Basset’s nails are sharp as
tacks. This means you will have to clip their nails, usually once a week, to keep them
dull. You can find a dog toenail clipper just about anywhere.
- As for their coat, shampoo baths are needed once a month.
You would think that the Basset would be far to foul-smelling. Interestingly enough, one
shampoo a month helps.
- Every week, though, they will have to be warm rinsed. Warm
rinsing is just using warm water and gently pouring it over your dog. You might think that
you can just shampoo once a week, but it washes out the Basset’s natural oils,
leaving their skin dry and chapped.
- Before and after a bath or warm rinse, their coat should be
combed with a medium coarseness brush. A slicker brush is also needed to keep its coat
shiny and neat.
- Cleaning their ears is also necessary for a sweet-smelling
dog.
I Love Bassets
I personally think that Basset Hounds are the best breed of dog ever created. They’re
perfect in pretty much every way, excluding the stubbornness and the occasional howl.
Bassets make everyday seem brighter and a little more smelly. Despite all of the care that
goes into a Basset, I would have to say the Basset Hound is the best dog ever! \
 Basset Pictures from our friends
Comments:
See
Moe & Curly, the Bassets
Just bought a
Basset!
From: Ashley
Auerbach
Hi! I just wanted to say thanks for the
information on Bassett hounds. I just bought a 7 week old female Basset. She is the love
of my life. I certainly can already see that she is going to be stubborn, but she has such
a great personality. I hope to have a long, happy life with her.
Thanks, Ashley Auerbach
I can't imagine
having any other kind of dog
From: Linda
Vallery
I have 2 female basset hounds and your
comments are right on the money. They are wonderful and lovable. they are my babies. One
is the product of poor breeding, but besides her occasional orneriness whe she is tired,
she is as sweet as they come. She will be 12 yrs old this summer. Mu other baby is 7 yrs
aold an she is a big dog. She weighs in at 78 lbs, probably a little on the heavy side,
but her dad was huge and she takes after him. I can't imagine having any other kind of
dog. They have always been the love of my life. thanks for a nice article.
I cannot imagine
life without a bassett
From Lynn,
North Carolina bassett lover
My patty is my second bassett. I cannot
imagine life without a bassett hound, she needs lots of love and will absorb every bit of
love you will give. She is my company while I am at home sick. She will run across the
living room floor and jump in my lap if I don't spend time with her. She knows how to
press head against my face to give me a hug. She knows I can't pick her up so she gets on
the couch and walks over the arm to the chair that I sit in. She gets all excited when
daddy comes home. When my children come for a visit she welcomes them with a smile and
pretty bounces and the floor. She is my second bassett, Flash was my first and there will
be no other inside dog except a bassett.
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