The Basset Hound Dog

The Basset Hound Dog
The Basset Hound Dog

Because this dog was bred to work in a pack; it makes them friendly, social, playful and affectionate. 

Basset hounds are generally good with children and other pets. 

This short-legged breed is in the scent hound family, originally bred for the purpose of hunting hare, rabbit, badger and other small game. 

Canungra Law

Human hunters were able to keep up with these slower paced hounds.

Their sense of smell is second only to the Bloodhound; they have over 220 million smell receptors, and their long ears help them pick up scent by touching the ground, the ears then funnel scent particles towards the dog’s nose. 

However, the long floppy ears make it harder for them to hear far off noises, but this keeps them focused on what is in front of them. 

The loose wrinkled skin around the face, called dewlaps help to trap scent particles as well. 

Basset hounds were deliberately bred with a white blaze on the snout and a white tip on their tail to help hunters spot their dogs when tracking through bushes and long grass.

The Basset was bred from the Bloodhound crossed with French hounds such as the Normand and Basset D’Artois in the sixth century. 

They are known for their laid back and docile nature. 

Also, they have a loud deep bark and they tend to bark (alert) and howl quite a bit, especially when excited or left alone.

They can be difficult and stubborn to train because of their strong scenting instinct, but with some creative thinking and delicious treats (they will do just about anything for food). 

Which means reducing their meals as they are not very active dogs and tend to gain weight easily.

This breed comes with a soft undercoat and a short coarser outer coat which requires regular brushing to reduce shedding. 

They can have a few medical issues, because of their deep chest they are at risk of gastric torsion, also prone to infection of the ear and eye, however regular inspection and cleaning greatly reduces this. And, because of those short stubby legs they can be prone to joint issues. 

They live ten to twelve years.

By Pam Brandis