Basset hound doesn’t want to get up in the morning

Basset Hounds are among the most companionable and lovable dogs on the planet. Here are ten characteristics of the breed you need to know before bringing a Basset into your life.

1. Bassets seem to love everyone:

It’s difficult to imagine a sweeter, gentler or more peaceful dog. An adult basset on a walk in the park will try to make friends with almost everyone. Strangers seem drawn to him, will want to pet and coo over him. Emotionally, he sometimes seems almost human. His temperament is very well suited for a family setting. He’s really good with children and other dogs. He loves to play. Aggression is very rare. Don’t expect him to be a guard dog.

2. Sense of Smell:

His sense of smell is second only to the bloodhound. Bassets were bred for hunting small game. His nose can lead him into danger. He’s an escape artist and a wanderer. It’s advisable to keep him in an enclosed area and on the leash during walks. Left to his own devices, he’ll follow his nose wherever it takes him.

3. Intelligence:

Because of his clown like demeanor, laid back attitude and a streak of stubbornness, there are those who stereotype the basset as dumb. Don’t believe it. On the contrary, he’s a past master at getting his way. Clownishness, soulfulness and contemplative assessment of any situation are all part of his arsenal to win you over.

4. Puppies & Housebreaking:

Admittedly, housebreaking is difficult. If patience is not your long suit, you may want to consider a grown hound from rescue. In housebreaking a basset puppy, gentle tolerance and persistence, with plenty of positive reinforcement, will yield success. During his first year, refrain from allowing him to go down long stairs or jump off couches. His lengthy back is prone to problems during the formative stage if too much stress is applied.

5. Drool:

OK, he drools. Some bassets drool more than others. You’ll accept drool, because you just love him to death.

6. Weight:

Since he’s prone to weight gain and bloat, as is common among all deep-chested breeds, he should be fed reasonable portions only twice a day. Bassets tend to overeat. Remember that they’re long and low, and excess weight can lead to back injury. At a minimum, a daily walk is a must.

7. Ears:

Bassets’ long ears do not provide good air circulation and are prone to infection. Cleaning weekly and application of an ear wash solution from a veterinarian are required. While frequent baths are not necessary, the ears drag in everything and may need scrubbing more often.

8. Care and Maintenance:

With the exception of the ears and drool, bassets are easy to keep clean. His short, dense coat repels dirt and water. Bassets do shed, but regular brushing and removal will keep it to a minimum. Bathing about once a month is all that’s needed.

9. Compact Big Dogs:

His short stature is deceptive. Most bassets weigh in the range of 50 to 65 pounds. He has more bone for his size than any other breed. Because of his short legs, he may have difficulty jumping into some vehicles.

10. Barking:

Bassets are not given to excessive barking. Since he is very much a pack animal, he may howl if left alone for long periods. He’s vocal and often makes a variety of sounds in keeping with his mood, especially when excited about the prospect of a walk or play.

If you’re looking for a gentle companion that’s easy to care for and gets along well with everyone, you’d be hard put to do better than a basset hound. Please consider rescuing a basset. Just do a search for “basset rescue” on Google to find dogs in your area.

Dog picture taken by garlandcannon.

The name, Basset Hound, derives from the word ‘bas’, which means low in French. Many believe this dog is a genetic dwarf and were actually born from other litters of French hounds. It is a direct descendant of the bloodhound. This breed has been a round for a very long time. At a Paris dog show in 1863 is the first showing of this breed. It very quickly became popular in England.

There was a debate that arose about which class it should remain in. The split revolved around whether keep it as a hunting dog or change it to a companion dog. American breeders were already developing a breed that would maintain the hunting dog characteristics but be a companion dog. Because of their slow pace basset hounds are very good for those who hunt while on foot. They are social and can either hunt alone or in a pack. The first time that the Westminster Kennel Club showed a basset was in 1884, The Basset Hound Club of America was created in 1935.

The AKC formerly recognized the basset hound in 1885 and classified it in the hound class. These dogs are to be between 12-15 inches in height for the male, the female is a little smaller at 11-14 inches. The females weigh a little less also. Their ideal weight is between 45-60 pounds and the male is 50-60 pounds. They have a life span that ranges from 10 to 12 years.

The body of the basset is well proportioned to be able to go over difficult terrain while following a trail. The bone is heavier in their short legs than any other dog breed. A lot of people think of these dogs as a little clumsy. The truth is their movements are very deliberate. The chest should be full and deep and the head is large yet very proportioned.

The elbows and shoulders in this breed will be close to the sides of the chest. The back is well extended and should be smooth and long. A full and round hindquarter is a must.

In normal hound fashion the tail should have a slight curve and be a continuation of the spine, no docking of the tail is necessary. There are no real specifics in color. Any generally accepted hound color is adequate. When being shown the distributions of colorings and markings hold no bearing.

The temperament of this breed is tranquil. They are well behaved, and have a gentle, devoted disposition. With this type of personality traits they are ideal for family life. The may be laid back but do not confuse it for being timid. They are a bit stubborn but are very loving with their owners and gentle with children. They can be trained to be quite obedient but if they find and interesting smell to track, getting their attention may prove to be difficult. The basset has a deep melodious bark.

Because of their low spine and short legs it is important to not allow them to get overweight. That will put to much pressure on their spines. This heavy long body may cause paralysis or lameness. Feeding them in small portions a few times a day is the best way to help alleviate bloating which is common in the breed.

They will do very well in a variety of living styles. The ideal situation is a house with a small yard so it can run and play. It will also do well in an apartment, as their indoor behavior is not rambunctious. Just make sure you are able to included regular exercise in its routine.

They are shorthaired and require regular brushing. They do shed constantly and may not be good for allergy suffers. Only shampoo them when really necessary. Make sure their nails remain trimmed. Their long ears prevent air from getting in so it is important that you clean them weekly.

In this article we will firstly look at the simple stats of this great breed, then move on to an in-depth look at whether you will be suited to this dog.

Breed group: Hounds

Weight: 40-60 lbs

Height: 14 inches

Overview

The name of the Basset Hound has been derived from the French word “bas”, which means low. The documentation available on these dogs shows that that they have their origin from the St. Hubert hounds in the Ardennes. These hounds brought to Britain in 1066 when the Normans invaded Britain. This breed was first known as the Bloodhound, a name given by the English. But later on this breed was crossed with the later-developed Basset Hound for the size to increase. The Bassets then started to become very popular, and had many admirers that included King Edwards VII and also Shakespeare. This breed was first acknowledged by the American Kennel Club in 1885.

Temperament

The Basset hound has a very sweet and gentle personality. This breed has a very calm demeanour that belies the inner strength hunting and tracking dog. Seeing that these dogs have a very kind personality, they are one of the most popular family dogs. The Basset hound has tremendous tolerance, and is a naturally well-mannered dog. They are very easygoing dogs. Due to the fact that they have a very kind personality, they are very affectionate toward their owners, and get along very well with children in the family. The Basset hound is also very friendly toward other pets and dogs in the family. This breed used to be a pack animal, and part of a pack – but not an aggressive breed due to this background. They are rather loving and cuddly dogs.

Care

The Basset Hound has a very short and smooth coat that has very low grooming needs. This breed can be brushed once or twice during the week to remove any loose or dead hair. This will also keep the skin circulated. When shedding, the hair will be removed more effectively by brushing and bathing the dog. The hair around should also be wiped and cleaned, because when these dogs hunt, eat or drink debris can get entangled in this area. This will in return cause fungus or bacteria to grow should this area be left unattended for a lengthy period of time.

Training

This is a very sensitive breed, so training should be done in a gentle and patient manner. Consistent training will have the best results with this stubborn breed. The Basset Hound is inclined to go off sniffing, and also completely disregarding his owners – therefore fun training techniques will work best. This breed loves food, and can be easily trained if there is food that can serve as a reward.

Health problems

A major health concern with the Basset Hound is obesity; as it puts a lot of strain on the inter-vertebral disk which forms a disease in return. Some other health concerns for these dogs are foreleg lameness, OCD, Entropion, Gastric torsion, foot cysts and infection as a minor concern.

This is Rex the newest addition to our family.Rex is eight weeks old and is an adorable funny and playful puppy and the kids love him.

Dog picture taken by .imelda.

Training a dog should be an enjoyable and easy task both for you and your dog, but things can be different in Basset Hound training. It is because Basset Hounds, just like any other hounds, are extremely hard to train. They tend not to obey commands given to them because as scent hounds they prefer to follow what their noses tell them. Low desire to please its owner is another reason why a basset hound is hard to train.

When it comes to dog training, especially obedience training, a Basset hound is less likely to be chosen by most dog owners and trainers because of its characteristics towards training. However, it is not impossible to train a Basset hound if you really want to. Some have been successful in training their Basset hounds but only a few of them. Patience, together with your great love for your Basset hound is essential in order to have a well behaved dog.

Training tips are just few clicks away when searching a web and you can also learn through seminars from dog experts. But the best method in Basset Hound training is to know and listen to your dog. Discover what exercise or activity your dog enjoys and start your way from there. Let him understand that training is fun! Be artistic and create fun and exciting training methods and as much as possible, vary it from time to time so as not to bore them. Limit the training session to only 10-20 minutes. Slowing down and showing resistance to work is an indication that he has become bored or he doesn’t like your training method.

Using training tools such as crate and rewards are ideal partner in every training session. Most Basset hounds obey command when offered reward, but will forget the training when reward is being offered. To do away with this, hide the reward from the dog before giving a command. Show him the reward only until he has complied with the command so as to come up with a Basset hound who follows command with or without the presence of a reward. The point here is to give him the idea that you may have a reward for him even if he can not see it.

It is also important to know the right time to start training. Making mistakes in the beginning of the training may delay the process and may not guarantee better results. Begin the training with something he enjoys so that he will be convinced to do it. Avoid being harsh and force your dog to do something which you think he doesn’t like. Consistency and determination is much more helpful.

With these tips, you will surely be able to come up with nicely trained dog. You can now aim higher levels of training such as obedience and agility training, and prove others that it is not impossible to train these stubborn four legged friends.

Dog picture taken by ratterrell.

Dog picture taken by bunnicula.

Basset Hound dogs are friendly dogs and make excellent pets for families. Here are some of the facts about Basset Hound dogs:

1. What’s with the name? – The word ‘basset’ was derived from a French word ‘bas’ meaning ‘low’. ‘Basset’ literally meaning ‘rather low’.

2. Basset the friendly dog – Along with their charming sad face, Basset Hound dogs are often considered friendly dogs both to human and other pets. They make excellent household pets and they hate being alone. To keep a Basset from trouble when you are away from home, a companion ion the form of a second pet in the family will help the problem.

3. Long ears – Basset hound dogs are more likely to acquire ear problems because of its long and downward ears. They are more susceptible to get odorous ear wax because their ears trap dirt as they drag on the ground or floor. Regular and proper cleaning of the ears is necessary. They also have increased hearing range because of these long ears.

4. Training – Training something new to this dog is very difficult yet possible. Yes they will obey commands when they are aware of rewards but will forget the training when there is no reward. They also tend to follow their noses than listen to their trainers. If you want to train your hound, even just housebreaking or obedience training, patience and consistency is essential.

5. Bark – Basset hound dogs don’t usually bark. They might howl when they want something or they want to indicate something. They also tend to use low murmuring whine when they want to get attention or if they are begging for something, either a toy or a treat. Some dog owners think that their dog’s whining seems to sound as though they are talking.

6. Bred for what? – This breed from French ancestors is primarily bred to hunt by scent. They are considered as scent hounds and their capacity to track to scent is second only to that of Bloodhound. These large dogs with short legs are also bred to have achrondroplasia, also known as dwarfism.

7. Weight – These dogs can be deceiving. A basset hound seems to be small but in fact they are not. They usually weight 50-70 pounds and can reach things on table tops because of their long bodies.

8. White tail – This breed has long and tapering tails. The tail usually stands upright with a curve and should be tipped in white. The tails are tipped in white for tracking and hunting purposes.

Basset hound dogs are really easy to care for as long as you are knowledgeable about the characteristics and needs of this dog. Go and get one! A basset hound may be the right breed for you and your family.

Dog picture taken by ratterrell.

Dog picture taken by Tapir Girl.

Basset Hound picnic in St. Paul, MN (6/10/2007)

Dog picture taken by RodBegbie.

The purpose of this article is to improve the public’s knowledge about dogs, the basset hound in particular. Many people decide that they want a dog based off of appearance alone. While this may not be a terrible thing to do if the person has the ability to accommodate all types of dogs, for some individuals the care for specific types of dog breeds is not possible.

The best way to avoid any surprises after the adopting or purchase of a dog is to understand the breed and what it takes to care for it. We will go over some of the basic characteristics of the basset hound to help you get a better understanding of the basset hound as a breed and possibly a new addition to your family.

The basset hound is a pretty easy going dog with regard to all aspects. The basset grows to a weight of about 50 lbs and 43 lbs for the male and female respectively. Short in stature at about 15 inches, the basset hound is a very stocky animal. The basset can run at a quick pace but is better suited for a steady long jaunt. Grooming is very low maintenance, only requiring cleaning of the ears, often dirty due to lack of air circulation under the long floppy structure, and clipping of the nails.

This is a very placid breed of dog but does however make a sizable amount of noise with its very distinctive howl-type bark. This dog can put away quite a large amount of food for its size and will require a steady amount of exercise to prevent him from putting on excessive weight. The front legs are pointed outward sometimes causing limb problems. This is a good family dog with a lot of loyalty and love to give.

We hope that we have assisted you I your quest for knowledge and understanding of the basset hound. Please look below for some additional resources. The first thing you will want to do is see what the basset hound looks like. The next thing you will need to do is house train your basset hound. We find that one of the most common reasons that someone will get rid of basset hound’s is that they are not house trained. There is a wonderful manual that can be used and you will find the link below. Lastly we want you to show off your new basset hound. There is a wonderful online dog community complete with a forum for you to post pictures to. Check it out.

The key to success is to love your basset hound and nothing will help you achieve that more than bonding with them. Spend time with your basset hound and make them a happy and healthy addition to your family.

Dog picture taken by cfournie.

Basset Hound pups playing … The Basset Hound is a short-legged hound of considerable substance, well balanced, full of quality. The skin is loose-fitted and falls in folds on the head. The sad brown eyes should show prominent haw. The expression should be kindly without any harshness. The Basset Hound is sweet, gentle, devoted, peaceful and naturally well-behaved. They fit into family life well.Featuring a vast array of popular themes, such as the four seasons, water, animals, nature, adventure, travel and destinations … set to music. FILLERS are always nice to look at, often quite amusing, the images can be programmed flexibly. This movie is part of a 5′ FILLER in the DOG BREEDS PACKAGE. Information: WWW.STOCKSHOT.NL Highres version or broadcast video footage of several dog breeds and cat breeds available! CATS & DOGS is a series of 6 documentaries about breeding pets. Information at WWW.FAUNAFILM.NL

Dog picture taken by caruba.

Dog picture taken by mellissa.epperson.