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Breed Characteristics
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Basset Hound
| Nicknames | Basset, Hush Puppy |
| Country of Origin | France, Great Britain |
| Weight | Males: 50 - 65 lbs (23 – 29 kg) Females: 45 - 60 lbs (20 – 27 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 12 - 15 in. (30 – 38 cm) Females 11 - 14 in. (28 – 36 cm) |
| Coat | The coat is dense, short, hard and shiny. |
| Colour | Generally black, white and tan (tri-colour) or tan/lemon and white (bi-colour); but any recognized hound colour acceptable. |
| Litter Size | Average 8 puppies, although, large 12+ puppy litters are not unusual. |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 Years |
| Origin & History | The earliest-known depictions of short-legged hunting dogs are engravings from the Middle Kingdom of Egypt. Mummified remains of short-legged dogs from that period have been uncovered in the Dog Catacombs of Saqqara, Egypt. Scent Hounds were used for hunting in both Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. St Hubert's Hound The basset type originated in France, and is descended from the 6th century hounds belonging to St Hubert of Belgium, which through breeding at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Hubert eventually became what is known as the St Hubert's Hound around 1000AD. St Hubert's original hounds are descended from the Laconian (Spartas) Hound, one of four groups of dogs discerned from Greek representations and descriptions. These scent hounds were described as large, slow, 'short-legged and deep mouthed' dogs with a small head, straight nose, upright ears and long neck, and either tan with white markings or black with tan markings. Laconian Hounds were reputed to not give up the scent until they found their prey. They eventually found their way to Constantinople, and from there to Europe. France The first mention of a "basset" dog appeared in La Venerie, an illustrated hunting text written by Jacques du Fouilloux in 1585. The dogs in Fouilloux's text were used to hunt foxes and badgers. It is believed that the Basset type originated as a mutation in the litters of Norman Staghounds, a descendant of the St Hubert's Hound. These precursors were most likely bred back to the St. Hubert's Hound, among other derivative French hounds. Until after the French Revolution around the year 1789, hunting from horseback was the preserve of kings, large aristocratic families and of the country squires, and for this reason short-legged dogs were highly valued for hunting on foot. Basset type hounds became popular during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III (r. 1852-1870). In 1853, Emmanuel Fremiet, "the leading sculptor of animals in his day" exhibited bronze sculptures of Emperor Napoleon III's basset hounds at the Paris Salon. Ten years later in 1863 at the first exhibition of dogs held in Paris, basset hounds attained international attention. The controlled breeding of the short haired basset began in France in the year 1870. From the existing Bassets, Count Le Couteulx of Canteleu fixed a utilitarian type with straight front legs known as the Chien d'Artois, whereas Mr. Louis Lane developed a more spectacular type, with crooked front legs, known as the Basset Normand. These were bred together to create the original Basset Artésien Normand. England French bassets were being imported into England at least as early as the 1870s. While some of these dogs were certainly Basset Artésien Normands, by the 1880s line-breeding had thrown back to a different heavier type. Everett Millais', who is considered to be the father of the modern Basset Hound, bred one such dog, Nicholas, to a Bloodhound bitch named Inoculation through artificial insemination in order to create a heavier basset in England in the 1890s. The litter was delivered by caesarean section, and the surviving pups were refined with French and English bassets. The first breed standard for what is now known as the Basset Hound was made in Great Britain at the end of 19th century. |
| Personality | The Basset Hound is sweet, gentle, devoted, peaceful and naturally well-behaved. It fits into family life well. Its temperament should always be friendly, and never vicious, moody or harsh, and would only become so if the owners lead the dog to believe he is pack leader over humans. It is mild but not timid; very affectionate with its master and friendly with children. It can be a bit stubborn with meek owners and needs a firm, confident, and consistent owner who displays natural authority over the dog. Dogs need to know the rules of the house and have the humans stick to them. Bassets like to do tricks for food. They have a deep musical bark. Housebreaking is difficult, but they do well with patient, gentle training. With proper training, they are obedient, but when they pick up an interesting smell, it's sometimes hard to get their attention, as they like to follow their noses and may not even hear you calling them back. Only allow your Basset off lead in safe areas. |
Care Requirements
| Health | As with many breeds whose body shape has been fundamentally altered by humans, Basset Hounds are susceptible to a number of health problems. Studies done by the UK Kennel club found that the average life span of Basset Hounds is about eleven years. These same studies found that the number one cause of death among Basset Hounds was cancer, which was responsible for 31% of all Basset Hound Deaths. Other leading causes of death were old age at 13%, Gastric Dilation Volvulus Syndrome, also known as bloat, at 11%, and cardiac problems at 8%. Cancer is a particular threat to Basset Hounds, as it is to many pure-bred dogs. When humans breed dogs for specific traits, we unknowingly focus on one gene, or a few interrelated genes. This can have many unintended consequences, such as spreading the frequency of a certain type of cancer. Additionally, many pure-bred dogs suffer from high degrees of inbreeding. This reduces the gene pool, as well as greatly increasing the likelihood of any potential genetic problems in the dogs which remain. The majority of modern day Basset Hounds descend from a very small number of Basset Artesian Normands brought from France into England. Most of these dogs came from a two French Breeders who were dominant at the time. Luckily, modern day breeders are aware of these problems and are working to eliminate health problems through genetic screenings and carefully monitoring their dog’s lineages. Like many low-legged breeds, Basset Hounds are susceptible to back problems such as ruptured discs. These dogs are particularly at risk of back difficulties because they are so heavy. Many Basset Hounds also suffer from skeletal ailments such as arthritis and hip dysplasia. Do not overfeed these dogs because extra weight places too great a load on the legs and spine. A problem area is possible lameness and eventual paralysis because of short legs and a heavy, long body. As they are prone to bloat, it is also wise to feed them two or three small meals a day instead of one large meal. If they do eat a large meal keep an eye on them for several hours for any signs of bloat. |
| Grooming | The smooth, shorthaired coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, and shampoo only when necessary. Wipe under the ears every week and trim toenails regularly. This breed is a constant shedder. |
| Exercise | To keep the Basset Hound healthy, it should be given plenty of exercise, including a long daily walk to keep the dog mentally stable, but discourage it from jumping and stressing the front legs. This breed will run and play by the hour when given the chance. Because of their keen noses they tend to roam when they pick up a scent. Take care when off lead that the dog is in a safe area. When they pick up a scent they may not even hear you calling them back as their complete focus will be on finding the critter at the other end. |
| Other Considerations | The Basset Hound will do okay in an apartment. They are very inactive indoors but outdoors they will run for hours in play if given the chance. They will do okay without a yard, but should be given plenty of opportunities to run and play to keep healthy and trim. |
