Breed History: 

According to research, the true fame of the Basset Hound began in 1863, when it was presented at the Paris Dog Show. Its popularity spread to England, where a lively dispute arose between two factions of breeders: Those who wanted to keep the Basset Hound a hunting dog and those who wanted to transform it into a companion dog. Situated between these two factions were the American breeders who proceeded to develop an extremely pleasing companion dog without sacrificing any of the qualities of the hunter. 

Size – Small

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Breed Appearance: 

The Basset Hound has a large, rounded head with a pronounced occiput and a parallel muzzle. Its skin is loose and falls in folds on the head, with long, velvety ears that meet beyond the nose, folding rather than lying flat. The large teeth should form a pair of scissors or a level bite, and the lips hang with loose flews. 

The dog’s chest is deep, extending in front of the forelegs, and it has big paws and round hindquarters. The movement is deliberate, not clumsy. The coat is short, hard, and shiny, typically white with chestnut or sand-colored markings.

Breed Type - Family/guard: 

The Basset Hound is sweet, gentle, and devoted, with a peaceful and naturally well-behaved temperament that makes them a great fit for family life. They are always friendly, never showing signs of sharpness or viciousness. 

Housebreaking can be challenging, but with gentle, patient training and positive reinforcement, they become obedient. However, when they catch an interesting scent, it can be hard to regain their attention.

Training:

Basset Hounds require patience, consistent training and early socialization. Without proper, positive guidance, they can become quite stubborn and independent.

Health & Care:

It’s important not to overfeed Basset Hounds, as extra weight can strain their legs and spine. Due to their short legs and long body, they are at risk of lameness and potential paralysis. Since they are prone to bloat, it’s better to feed them two or three smaller meals a day rather than one large meal. 

Living Condition:

The Basset Hound will do okay in an apartment if it gets enough exercise. It is very inactive indoors and can do without a yard. They should be given plenty of opportunities to run and play around to stay lean and trim.

Exercise:

The Basset Hound needs plenty of exercise, including long walks daily but should be disregarded from jumping or stressing their front legs.

Grooming:

Basset Hounds have a thin coat making it easy to groom. They need to have their ears wiped and toenails trimmed regularly.

Advantages:

• Gentle, affectionate, and loyal

• Great with children and other pets

• Low to moderate energy – suits laid-back households

• Distinctive, adorable appearance

• Excellent sense of smell – great tracking dog

• Generally calm and quiet indoors

Disadvantages:

• Stubborn and slow to train

• Prone to obesity and joint issues

• Strong scent instincts – may wander off if not leashed

• Needs regular cleaning of ears and skin folds

• Can drool and shed more than expected

• Short legs make stairs and high-impact activity difficult