The word basset came from the French ‘bas’ which means ‘low’. They are two Basset Hounds breeds in France: the Basset Hound and the Basset Artésien Normand, distinction made only in there. Bassets are long and muscular dogs with curved upright tails held over their long backs. Their shortness is due to a form of dwarfism known as Achondroplasia. Also know and hush puppies, Bassets are made for endurance and are essentially scent dogs bred for hunt. Their aristocratic appearance combined with their unique personality makes them a desirable charming looking dog breed for many families.
Physical Traits
Area of Origin: France
Used for: Hunting, Trailing, Companion
Average Life Span: 11-12 years
Color: Any color. Generally black, white and tan (tri-colour) or tan/lemon and white (bi-colour). Must of them have a white tip on their tails, intended to find them easily when hunting.
Coat: Short, close and smooth, sheds constantly.
Average Height: Up to 14 inches tall
Average Weight: 55 pounds
Group: Hound
History and Domestication
Originated in France, they descended from 6th century’s Belgian hounds. Ancestors of the Belgian hounds were found in the called “Laconian Hounds”, famous for not back down until they get their pray. Shakespeare himself in the late 16th century described a kind of dog in one of his writings that could have been basset when he mentions a hound “With ears that sweep away the morning dew”.
Bassets didn’t became popular until the end of the 19th century when were presented at the Paris dog show. Their popularity spread mainly in the aristocratic families that used them mostly for hunting expeditions on foot. Imported to England by French’s in the 1870’s where introduced in America by the Marquis de Lafayette as a gift for George Washington after the American Revolution, according to some sources.
Standard Physical Characteristics
The Basset Hound is a short leg dog, due to an abnormal growth of the bones and cartilage, a genetic condition known as Osteochondrodysplasia. Its large dolichocephalic nose it’s second best, only overcome by their closest relatives: the Bloodhounds. The head is small compared to their long body. The well domed skull shows a pronounced occipital protuberance. The sides are flat and with an elastic loose skin hanging from the cheek bumps. The mouth is large and the nose darkly pigmented with a wide-open nostrils. The pendular, long and dangling ears, also known as “leathers” are prone to infections because of their proximity to the ground and the lack of air circulation. The looseness of the skin and their outstanding noses in combination with the long ears help them trap the scent when they are tracking. The slightly sunken eyes gives them their characteristic sad looking expression which, according to some people adds to the breed’s charm. The neck is arched and the chest very prominent and deep from the front legs. The front legs paws are bigger than the rear ones to balance the width of the shoulders.
Care, Grooming and Health
The main risk with this breed is the tendency to overweight than can harm their joints and spine and also cause paralysis, so don’t overfeed them. They are prone to bloating which can be life-threatening. Ear and eyes infections are other of their main health issues. Wipe the eyes daily and the ears once a week with a solution recommended by your vet to prevent them. They can also damage permanently their short legs, hips or spine if they jump from a height, especially when they are puppies so try to avoid those risks by getting a ramp or steps for them. Like every dog, they need exercise every day and a have good diet, free of grains and fillers to prevent food allergies and skin conditions.
Living Conditions
Bassets are very quiet, easy-going, inactive dogs so they will do okay in an apartment. They do need to exercise regularly so a big backyard plus a daily walk are recommended. When outside they should be on a leash to ensure safety because they noses distract them easily and can’t ignore an interesting smell. Because they are pack dogs they get very sad when left alone. They’re not prepared to be in extreme heat or cold. They are also very gentle with children and other pets but they also need their private time. It’s very important to let them have their own space to be a well-rounded dogs.
Temperament
Bassets are calm and sometimes lazy. They sleep pretty much the whole day but they need exercise. When outdoors they can run but they prefer to slowly sniff and trail around. They can be very stubborn and not easily to dissuade when determined tracking a course. On the water they need to be supervised when swimming because they get tired easily, due to their very heavy body. They are very long so, when standing can reach stuff even a table height so don’t let their height fool you. They are not easy to train so patience and persistence is a must. During training, they respond better when rewarded with food. They don’t respond well to harsh and will develop a selective hearing. Bassets are very vocal. They can make a wide range of deep funny sounds. They are also very alert all day and for that reason they can become excellent watchdogs. Bassets love children and are very friendly with them. Educate your children since young age to be around and handle the dog properly. Because they were bred to be a pack dogs they are very loyal with a family a made unique exceptional companions.
