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Basset Hound

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General
OtherNames		Basset
Dog Group Kennel Club		Hound
Breed Classification		The Basset Hound belongs to the hound group and are today used for hunting and as companions. They are also seen in the show-ring.
Cost of Ownership Visit our dog food department
Average Food Cost		< £4
Feeding Requirements		Prospective owners must check with the breeder that the puppy's feeding has been supplemented, especially because of the large size of their litters. Guard against overfeeding and obesity and do not feed supplements as in calcium or bone development nutrients without discussing this with your vet, as skeletal abnormalities may be the result. The breed is very susceptible to bloat therefore it is advisable to feed 2 or 3 smaller meals a day rather tha
Other Expenses		The price of a puppy will vary depending on what part of the country you live in. In Scotland expect to pay around £475 to £525 while in the South of England you could pay as much as £700 plus. If you wanted a good show dog, these prices could double.
Average Puppy Price		£300-500
Lifespan		9 - 15 years
Average Litter Size		8
General Physical Description		Basset Hounds are big dogs on short legs! With their exaggerated length of ears, wrinkly skins and droopy eyelids these dogs are easily recognised. They are heavy, long and low dogs, who have a smooth, free action. They have charm and their expressions are intelligent and aristocratic.
Height Min Max Bitch 33cm 38cm Dog 33cm 38cm Weight Min Max Bitch 18kg 27kg Dog 18kg 27kg
Size Category		Medium
Weight Height Range		Bassets, both dogs and bitches, measure 33 to 38cms at the withers and weigh between 18 to 27kgs.
Ailments		Bassets' conformation predisposes them to many bone and joint disorders, mainly shoulder and foreleg lameness. Bow-leggedness and joint deformities are also found. Wobbler Syndrome can strike before six months of age. Overeating and underexercise can cause back problems and bloat in later life.
Common Ailments
Susceptibility To Illness Pet insurance for dogs resource Pet health and vet advice		Medium
Other
History		Bassets originated in France in the 1500's. Basset comes from the French word 'bas', meaning 'low'. The Basset was bred by medieval monks to hunt in heavy cover. From their physical appearance they appear to be a mix of three breeds: the head, sense of smell, and bone of a Bloodhound, the colouring of a Foxhound and the legs of a Dachshund. However it was in the British Isles in the latter half of the 19th century that the breed fully blossomed. A pair of hounds of the Marquis de Tournon were imported to Lord Galway of England in 1866 and then a litter bred from them went to Lord Onslow who proceeded to develop an exceptional pack by crossing with further imports from the Coultreux pack from Normandy. Soon this importation was stopped and the English version of the Basset was developed in its own right. The first of these dogs appeared at the Wolverhampton Dog Show in 1875 and in 1883 The Basset Hound Club was formed. Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward V11 was a regular exhibitor and in 1909, one of her dogs won at Cruft's.
Intelligence		These dogs have a mind of their own, therefore training can be difficult. Always remember that because of their scenting natures, Bassets will ignore the recall if on the trail of an appealing smell. Consistency and patience is the key to success.
Show Characteristics		The head should be domed with some stop and a prominent occiput. There should be enough loose skin on the head to wrinkle noticably when the head is drawn forward or lowered. The jaws should be strong with a complete scissor bite. The eyes are lozenger-shaped, mid-brown to dark depending on the colour of the dog, with a calm and serious expression. The red of the lower eye should not be excessive. The ears should be set on low, reaching well beyond the end of the muzzle. They should also be narrow and curve inwards, being very supple with a fine and velvety texture. The neck should be fairly long and muscular with a pronounced dewlap. The shoulders should not be heavy. The body should be long and deep with a prominent breast bone. The coat should be smooth, short and coarse and free from feathering. The back should be level and rather broad. The front legs should be short and powerful and with great bone, the upper forearm turning slightly inwards. Wrinkles of skin should be present on lower legs. The hind legs should be well-muscled with well-bent stifles. More wrinkles of skin may appear between the foot and the hock. The feet are massive well-knuckled up and padded. The tail should be well set on and rather long with a moderate amou
Country Of Origin		France
Famous Examples		Fred Basset, cartoon character
Records Held
Characteristics Visit our dog training aids department
Energy		Low
Overall Exercise		60 - 80 minutes
Distress Caused if Left Alone		High
Personal Protection		Low
Suitability As Guard Dog		Medium
Risk of Sheep Worrying		Medium
Tendency to Bark		High
Ease of Transportation		High
Level of Aggression		Low
Compatibility With Other Animals		High
Suitable For Children		High
General Character And Temperament		Despite looking morose and serious, these dogs are sociable, calm, playful and have a sense of humour. They love children and get on well with other dogs and household animals. They are friendly towards strangers, but if they sense danger will bark loudly. They must have company and if they are to be left it is better to have two Basset Hounds. They are as happy indoors as they are outdoors.
Grooming Visit our dog grooming department
Coat Length		Short/Medium
Grooming Requirement		Once a week
Trimming		None
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		There is little grooming required for Basset Hounds. During moulting remove loose or dead hairs. They do however like to paddle through the wet and mud but they clean up easily due to their short close coat. Check the ears regularly for infection and clean them out once a week. Keep the claws short and clean the folds of the skin when necessary.
Colour		Basset can be tri-colour (black, tan and white), bi-colour (lemon and white) and red and white.
Shedding		Little
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies