Profile of the Basset Hound
With his long ears, stout build and droopy sad eyes, the Basset Hound is easy to distinguish from other dogs. Early records indicate that the breed descended from the St. Hubert hounds of the Ardennes. These dogs were brought to Britain by the invading Normans in 1066, and were later crossed with other hounds to increase their size.
The name, Basset comes from “bas”, the French word for low.
The Basset is one of the sweetest of all dogs. They are extremely loving with a real enjoyment of human company. They get on well with everyone, are even tempered and affectionate towards children and have no problem with other dogs, or even cats for that matter.
In fact, they are so agreeable that it is easy to forget that this is a hunting dog, and a very good one at that. These days though, Bassets are seldom seen as working dogs, and are more commonly family pets.
Caring for a Basset Hound could not be easier. They have a short and smooth coat, which means that they have minimal grooming needs. A brush down once or twice a week is all that is required to remove dead hair and keep the coat in tip top condition.
The ears also need special attention, because they are prone to fungal and bacterial infections. A wipe down with a damp cloth and drying them after is usually all that is needed to keep them clean.
You’ll also want to trim the dog’s nails, particularly if he is not very active and they don’t get much wear. Be careful to avoid the quick as you clip the nails. Many dog owners are squeamish about this, and if you are one of them, you can ask your vet or dog groomer to do it.
As with all hounds, Bassets can be difficult to train. It’s not that they lack intelligence, but rather that they’ve been bred to think for themselves, and this can make them appear stubborn at times. The key is to be consistent and use positive reward based training. Bassets are sensitive souls and are easily hurt by harsh words and treatment.
Basset training takes tons of patience. They have a short attention span and are inclined to just trot off if the mood takes them. Stick to your guns and you will succeed, especially if you tap into the Basset’s love of food and use really tasty training treats.
Like many purebred dogs, the Basset suffers from a number of inherited diseases. Common health problems for the breed include, osteochondrosis. entropion, gastric torsion, cysts on the paws, and lameness in the forelegs. Obesity is a common concern and can put extra strain on the vertebrae and cause back problems.
Bassets can be quite lazy, but it is important that they have daily walks to ensure they don’t become overweight.If you’re looking for an affectionate, sweet-natured dog that is just a joy to be around, look no further than the Basset.
If you’re looking for a name for your Basset, the best advice is to visit a dog names, website. The one that I recommend is Puppy Names HQ, which has a huge database of excellent dog names including 1000s of female dog names.
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