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Things You Always Wanted to Know About a Basset Hound but Didn't Know Who to Ask

Basset Hound Roots: Mention of a long, low dog comes down to us through the centuries beginning about 2000 B.C., through carvings on an Egyptian monument. Perhaps he followed the Roman Conquest into France. In 6th century France we find mention of a long, low dog called the St. Hubert Hound. By the 1700's Basset Hounds were being used extensively throughout France in the hunting of small game by hunters on foot. It is believed George Washington was given a pair as a gift during this time. Bassets were exported to England from France in the 1800s, becoming well established. In more recent times imports to the United States, mainly from England, helped further the breed.

Appearance: The Basset Hound is a short-legged dog, heavier in bone, size considered, than any other breed. His movement is deliberate, though not clumsy. His temperament is mild, his devotion extreme. His scenting ability, second only to that of the Bloodhound, has made him an exceptional hunting dog. His long ears, facial wrinkles, deep muzzle, and dewlaps help trap and hold scent. Sturdy legs and loose skin help him track game through thorny brambles and difficult terrain. His voice is thrilling to hear. There is only one standard by which Basset Hounds are judged.

Personality; Bassets have easygoing temperaments; making males as well as females excellent pets.  They are strong-willed and intelligent, using these traits to their advantage. They are willing dogs as long as what you wish of them is what they intended to do in the first place. Otherwise, you may begin to think he has a hearing problem. Patience, lots of praise, tenderness, and perseverance (plus a treat) work wonders. Basset Hounds do not take well to harsh treatment. Often just the tone of your voice is all that is needed in the way of correction.

Basset Hounds love to be loved, and need to be part of a family. If left alone for any length of time during the day, then consider another dog or a cat to keep him company. Bassets make loving companions and excellent family dogs. They do not require a large yard or high fence, but their hunting instinct can get them into serious trouble unless they are confined in a fenced yard.

Care: Basset Hounds tend to shed hair year-round, but frequent brushing will eliminate most of the problem. Ears need weekly cleaning, and nails should be trimmed twice a month. A weekly shampoo with flea shampoo may be necessary if fleas are a problem in your area. Inoculations for distemper/leptospirosis/hepatitis/kennel cough, parvo, and rabies should be routinely given. Consult your veterinarian for scheduling these and any others that may be needed in your area.

Bleeding Disorders: Two inherited bleeding disorders affect our breed, namely Hereditary Thrombopathia, and Von Willebrand's Disease. Since an affected dog may not show any outward sign of his/her condition, we urge anyone contemplating breeding their Basset to have it tested, as these bleeding disorders can be passed to some or all of its offspring. Since symptoms, such as excessive bleeding, could also be caused by other trauma, a veterinarian should always be consulted

Eye Disorders: Basset Hounds are one of the breeds in which glaucoma occurs and can even be inherited. Simply put, glaucoma is increased pressure in the eye. The pressure buildup is caused by excessive accumulation of fluid. Basset Hounds also may develop keratoconjunctivitis, a condition commonly called dry eye. They do not produce adequate tears to keep the eye lubricated and nourished. A veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist should be consulted any time an owner detects any changes or problems in or near the eyes.
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Basset Hound Basic Care

These are tips for caring for your basset hound's basic needs. Some are general dog care items and others are specific to basset hounds. This guide is not all inclusive/ nor does it address specific needs for individual dogs. We recommend that all dog owners keep in contact with their breeder and have a well-qualified veterinarian to whom they take their dogs regularly.

1. Vaccinations: All dogs need to have booster shots EVERY YEAR. This will generally include a DA2PP+CVK-LCI (Distemper, Adenovirus type 2, Parainfluenza, Coronavirus/ and both Leptospirosis). Puppies younger than 16 weeks should have this shot every two weeks. This shot offers protection against several dog diseases that are VERY expensive to treat if not deadly to you dog. Some of these can be contracted by contact with infected soil or excrement brought home on your shoes, hands, clothes etc. so even dogs which do not go out of the home should be inoculated Rabies shots should be given after 16 weeks/ again at one year and every three years thereafter. Depending on your dog's activities and the area you live in your veterinarian may suggest a Lime disease and Kennel Cough vaccine as well as other preventative medications.

2. Heart Worm: This silent killer is on the rise countrywide. Dogs with heartworm have little chance of survival unless it is caught in the early stages. A dog MUST test clear before the administering of the preventive medication. Check with your veterinarian for the testing and medication procedure.

3. Worming: Dogs can get several types of intestinal parasites. Hookworms and roundworms are sometimes passed from mother's milk/ or can be gotten from infected soil contact. Tapeworms are frequent in dogs that have or have had fleas. We recommend that you consult your veterinarian instead of trying to use medications found in grocery stores.

4. Coat Grooming: Basset hounds have a musky odor/ as do all scent hounds/ because they have oils in their coat to help keep the loose skin flexible/ and to help the water run off when outdoors. Luckily the basset hound is a "wash and wear" breed. It can be bathed as often as you wish using a shampoo intended for dogs (never use human shampoo). If you brush your basset hound daily it will cut down on the odor and the amount of shed hair you will find around the house. No trimming is necessary on a basset hound's coat.

5. Toenails: Basset hounds need to have their toenails kept short. Longer nails cause soreness in the toes/ can cause the toes to splay (spread out) or can grow into the pads. To keep your dog from this discomfort you need to clip the nails near the quick (the pink area). Ideally this should be done weekly/ but no less than once a month.

6. Ears: Ears/ such as those on a basset hound/ which lay on the side of the head do not get any ail passing by to keep them dry. This means that the ears become a trap for dirt. Ears need to be cleaned and wiped out weekly to prevent infection. Please consult your veterinarian or breeder for recommendations on ear cleaning solutions and how they should be used.

7. Muzzle and Eye Area: Dirty faces abound when your nose is on the ground most of the time. Wash your basset hounds face several times a week. Dogs in multiple dog homes will often do this to each other but they use their tongues.

8. Teeth: Ideally they will be brushed daily with a dogtooth paste. They should be brushed at least weekly and scaling should be done by a veterinarian as needed.

9. Food: A Basset Hound’s growth and general health depend on the quality of the food they are given. Puppies will often eat considerably more even when a higher quality/protein food is given to them because they grow so rapidly. Basset Hounds do well on dry food. Some breeders recommend that the dry food be moistened with water to prevent choking. Fussy eaters are not born; they are created. Offer food once or twice a day. If it is not eaten within 15 minutes take it up and do not offer any again until the next scheduled feeding time. Do not allow your adult or puppy Basset Hound to become overweight. Table scraps should not be fed to your dog. They can cause all kinds of problems including overweight dogs, a dog that begs at the table or scrounges counter tops and trashcans or the dreaded fussy eater. Besides, most table scraps do no provide the proper nutritional balance for your dog. Your breeder and your veterinarian can recommend a food that will be healthy and balanced for your dog. Remember, you often get what you pay for. This is especially true for dog food. Poor diet can cause excessive odor and skin problems in Basset Hounds. Adequate water should always be available to your dog.

10. Treats: Keep in mind that treats are calories gotten IN ADDITION TO meals and feeding should be adjusted accordingly. Hard dog biscuits are good for teeth because the^ can slow plaque build up. There is a lot of controversy about other kinds of treats. These include rawhide, cow hooves, pig’s ears, etc. The problem is based on product content, quality control, possible chemical contamination and choking or splintering possibilities Some dog owners will only give compressed rawhide treats that come from the US, Canada or England because these countries have better quality control. Many also will only give treats for dogs to chew on under close supervision. NEVER give your dog any type of bone that can splinter (especially chicken, turkey, pork etc.). Basset Hounds are often fond of fruits and vegetables and they are safe, cheaper, and non-controversial as well as being relatively low in calories.

11.  Containment: Basset Hounds will wander off if they are not on a leash or behind < fence. They usually do not return if they get loose or are free to roam. They do not look u] when they are on a scent trail, unaware of all hazards around them. Basset Hounds will generally go on until they are too exhausted to go on, and then look around for a free meal. If you want your dog to have more freedom, get a long lead for walks. A Basset Hound tied to a fence or tree etc. is miserable and will let your neighbors hear about it. Their outside area should be fenced with adequate space to run and play. A fence also provides protection from stray dogs and some wild animals. Shelter for the dog to stay dry and warm is also important. Protection from the hot sun is a must. An improperly contained Basset Hound is a rescue dog waiting to happen if it lives through the experience.

12. Water/Pools/Ponds: Though all dogs need a lot of fresh water to drink and your Basset Hound will drool, a Basset Hound has difficulty handling any amount of water larger than a bucket. Built of heavy bone and muscle, they would make great submarines, but do not have the required gills to survive. Keep a secure fence between your Basset Hound and any body of water deeper than it can wade through all year long.

13.  House Time: Basset Hounds love to be with people. All dogs, but especially Basset Hounds, need daily indoor opportunities with human company. They desire to overtake all furniture rights but should be somewhat discouraged. They do make great lap dogs if you have a big lap. The Basset Hound is a dwarf breed thus care must be given to protect their joints and backs. Stairs, furniture, bed hopping and other such jarring experience; should be avoided if you want to reduce the risk of arthritis and/or back injury.

14.  Training: Basset Hounds CAN be trained. They were bred for independent though when hunting so may be slow to respond. This does not mean they are stubborn, stupid or disrespectful. They are actually thinking things over. Dogs have a brain and will find ways and looks to try to make things happen to their best advantage. When deciding what you might allow that cute Basset Hound to do, remember that what you allow it to do now will last forever. It is easier to train a thinking dog than to un-train one.  
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  Official Standard for the Basset Hound