Basset Hound – character, disposition, price

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Surely you knew this breed of dog, which can be easily recognized by its distinctive appearance – the Basset Hound. A dog with long, drooping ears, sad eyes and extremely short legs. But have you ever wondered what the character traits of these dogs are, what their needs are, what their potential health problems are, and what their history is? This article will help you get to know Basset Hounds in their entirety.

Basset Hound – description and appearance of the breed

Basset Hound is a breed of mongrel dog of considerable size and small stature. A dog of this breed reaches a weight between 20 and 35 kg, but measures only 33-38 cm at the withers. A characteristic feature of the Basset Hound is its “melancholy” appearance, which is due to its long, dangling ears and deep-set, sad eyes. The Basset Hound’s coat is short, dense and hard, usually in tricolor (black-white-brown) or bicolor (red-white).

Character of the Basset Hound dog breed

Skills – what should you know?

Despite its calm and lazy appearance, the Basset Hound is a tenacious and persistent hound. He is an excellent tracker, so he is often used in hunting small animals. His tracking skills are so impressive that they are only comparable to the Bloodhound.

What kind of personality does it have?

The Basset Hound is a very gentle, friendly and sociable dog. He is very attached to his family, loves children and gets along well with other animals. Despite his stubbornness, the Basset Hound is a very gentle and patient dog.

Basset Hound – how to train and raise?

Because of their stubbornness, training a Basset Hound can be a challenge. They require consistency, patience and positive reinforcement. They do not respond well to harshness or rigor. The positive reward method works best.

Who is the Basset Hound suitable for?

The Basset Hound is an ideal companion for families with children, the elderly or those with an active lifestyle. Despite their lazy appearance, Basset Hounds love walks and playing outdoors.

Basset Hound – price

The price of a Basset Hound depends on many factors, including the reputation of the kennel, the pedigree line, the health of the parents and many others. The average price for a Basset Hound puppy in USA varies between $1,400โ€“$2,500.

Advantages and disadvantages

Disadvantages

The Basset Hound, although it has many charming qualities, is not free of disadvantages that a potential owner should take into account. First of all, Basset Hounds tend to be overweight. Their love of food, combined with their natural laziness, can lead to obesity problems, which in turn can lead to joint and heart problems.

The other major drawback is their long, dangling ears. While they are cute, they can lead to health problems such as ear infections because they do not allow for good ventilation. Basset Hound owners should regularly check and clean their dogs’ ears to prevent potential problems.

In addition, Basset Hounds are often described as stubborn. While this can be cute, it can also make training difficult and require extra patience and consistency on the part of the owner.

Advantages

Despite some disadvantages, the Basset Hound also has many advantages that make it loved by many. First of all, the Basset Hound is a dog with a very gentle and friendly character. They are very attached to their family, love children and usually get along well with other animals.

Although Basset Hounds are often described as lazy, they are also tenacious and hardy, making them excellent hunting dogs. Their exceptional sense of smell is one of the strongest in the dog world, making them excellent trackers.

Basset Hound – Health, Diseases and Grooming

Nutrition

Basset Hound nutrition requires special attention, as they are prone to obesity. Their diet should be balanced and full of high-quality protein, fats and carbohydrates. Overfeeding these dogs should be avoided, and meals should be divided into two or three smaller portions per day to prevent stomach problems. Regular exercise is also key to maintaining the Basset Hound’s healthy weight.

Grooming

Grooming the Basset Hound is relatively simple, but requires regularity. Their short, dense coat needs weekly brushing to remove dead hair and keep the skin healthy. Owners should regularly check their Basset Hounds’ ears and clean them as needed to prevent infections. The claws of these dogs grow quickly and should be trimmed regularly.

Diseases

Basset Hounds are prone to a number of health problems. The most common are problems related to their body structure, such as hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as joint problems caused by obesity. Basset Hounds can also suffer from eye problems such as entropia (excessive eyelid edge), ectropia (inverted eyelid) and cherry eye (chronic inflammation of the third eyelid). Basset Hounds are also prone to ear problems such as otitis.

Accessories and equipment or how to prepare for this breed?

When preparing to welcome a Basset Hound into your home, it’s a good idea to stock up on basic accessories that will make grooming and daily life with this dog easier. First and foremost, you need a good quality food and drinking bowl that is sized for the Basset Hound’s long muzzle. Since Basset Hounds are prone to joint problems, it’s worth investing in a comfortable, well-supporting bed. Given their love of walks and playtime, a sturdy leash and a variety of toys will also be essential.

History of the Basset Hound breed

Origins

The Basset Hound is a dog breed that originated in France, where it was originally used to hunt small animals such as rabbits. It is one of the oldest mating breeds, and can be traced back to dogs that were bred as early as the 16th century. The Basset Hound was created by selective breeding from other breeds to obtain a dog with a low build that could effectively track game by scent at a low level.

Development of the breed

The Basset Hound breed was popularized in England in the 19th century, where it was spotted by dog enthusiasts at a dog show in Paris in 1863. Lord Galway imported some of these dogs to England, where they became popular not only as hunting dogs, but also as companion dogs.

By the end of the 19th century, Basset Hounds began to appear at English dog shows, and the first breed club was founded in 1884. The breed gained popularity among the aristocracy and became a symbol of social status. Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII, was a well-known fan of the breed.

Today

Today, Basset Hounds are prized for their gentle nature and sociable nature. They are popular around the world, both as family dogs and show dogs. Given their unique characteristics – such as long ears and sad eyes – Basset Hounds have become a recognizable symbol in pop culture, appearing in movies, television and literature.

Basset Hound dog breed standard

Basset Hound is a breed of dog characterized by a unique appearance that cannot be confused with any other breed. They are medium-sized but massive dogs with an elongated body and short legs.

Basset Hounds are dogs that measure between 30 and 38 cm at the withers and weigh between 20 and 35 kg, with males usually heavier than females. Their bodies are long and low-set on short, strong legs with large paws.

The most distinctive feature of the Basset Hound is its head. It is large, well-proportioned with a long, deep muzzle and a large nose. The Basset Hound’s eyes are quite large, almond-shaped and are dark brown or black, which gives them a sad expression. The ears are extremely long, set low and hanging down, the skin on the head is loose and forms characteristic folds.

The Basset Hound’s coat is short, dense and quite hard. It can come in different colors, but the most common are tricolor (black, white and brown) or bicolor (white and yellow) dogs. The coat on the back is slightly stiffer than on the rest of the body.

Basset Hounds have a well-developed chest, which is deep and broad, with well-rounded ribs. The tail is strong and long, carried quite high, but not on the back.

The overall appearance of this breed is harmonious, and despite the unusual silhouette, Basset Hounds are dogs capable of great endurance rather than speed. Every feature of this dog is adapted to its original role – to be a sturdy hound capable of working in a variety of terrain.

Basset Hound – interesting facts about the breed

Basset Hounds, with their distinctive appearance and endearing character, are a dog breed that deserves extra attention. Here are some interesting facts about Basset Hounds that may be of interest to any dog lover.

  1. Powerful nose: Basset Hounds are known for their exceptionally strong sense of smell. They have about 220 million olfactory receptors – far more than most other dog breeds. In the dog world, only Bloodhounds have a stronger sense of smell.
  2. Long ears: Basset Hounds’ ears are among the longest in the dog world. It is believed that their long, dangling ears help “sweep” scent from the air toward the nose when tracking.
  3. Movie dog: Fred, the dog from the “Scooby-Doo” cartoon, is a Basset Hound. The breed also frequently appears in other movies and TV series, usually for its cute appearance and gentle nature.
  4. Sadness at first sight: Despite their “sad” appearance, Basset Hounds are known for being some of the happiest and most contented dogs. They are dogs that truly enjoy the company of people.
  5. Origin of the name: The name “Basset” comes from the French language and means “short.” This is a reference to the short legs and low-set body of these dogs.
  6. Aristocratic breed: In the past, Basset Hounds were popular among the aristocracy, and even Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII, had several of these dogs.
  7. Patience with children: Because of their gentle nature, Basset Hounds are usually patient with children, making them ideal family dogs.

Emily Carter is an experienced pet enthusiast and writer, with over a decade of experience caring for and working with animals. From her early days volunteering at animal shelters to becoming a pet care advisor, Emily has dedicated her life to understanding the unique needs of pets and helping pet owners provide the best possible care for their furry companions. She is especially passionate about topics like pet nutrition, behavior, training, and animal welfare.

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