Basset hound

Seemingly phlegmatic basset hound during the walk likes to bush in the brush and at the same time demonstrate its independence to the owner. He is a talented hunting dog, although he is rarely used today.

Nature

Basset hound has a mild, good-natured character and a moderate temperament. Although at first glance it seems phlegmatic, in fact it is a cheerful dog, willing to play and surprisingly busy.

As a quadruped, he endures loneliness very badly, so he shouldn’t be isolated. If we want him to stay home alone for a few hours, we have to get used to it from the puppy. Otherwise, he may rebel and mourn the neighbors’ lives. The representative of this breed is attached to all household members. In his youth, he can be quite absorbing and obtrusive in showing feelings, which can irritate some owners.

Bassets get along well with children. They are patient and tolerant, but they do not like to be overly disturbed, so children need to learn to treat them properly.

These dogs like to live in a herd, so they are happiest when they have a kinsman. In general, they do not show aggression towards foreign quadrupeds, but they will not let you get hooked. They will accept a domestic cat or rabbit, but the neighbors’ pet may fall victim to the basset.

Basset hound values ​​comfort and will be happy to spend most of the day on the couch. However, you cannot let him become too lazy. Movement is very important for him, because he prevents obesity and helps to keep fit. The excessive effort, however, can hurt him, so he should decide how much he wants to run. During walks, he likes to scrub in the thickets, and when he catches an interesting trail, he forgets about the whole world. Therefore, in busy places, it is better not to release him from the leash.

Basset can live both in a house with a garden and in a small apartment, as long as it is allowed to regularly move outside.

Skills

Basset hound is a talented hunting dog, although it is rarely used today. He has a sensitive sense of smell, is characterized by endurance, agility, slow gait and a tendency to preach animals. Works great in dense thickets and low groves. Tracks bunnies, rabbits and pheasants perfectly with the lower wind. It also works well as a big game hound on a fresh and cold trail.

Currently, it is mainly a companion dog, but it can also take part in field trials or track contests. FCI qualified the basset to breeds subject to work trials, which means that a diploma of utility is required to obtain the title of International Beauty Champion (CIB).

Basset hound. Training and education

Basset is intelligent but stubborn and independent. Obedience is not in his nature, so let’s not expect him to obey the order immediately. The representative of this breed is reluctant to give in to the rigors and restrictions. He reacts instinctively, so you should leave him the freedom to act, without forgetting about the principles of good manners. Basset will not work on an obedience course, but his passion for hunting can be used during applied training.

Puppies from the beginning require consistent upbringing and more patience than other breeds. Do not indulge them too much, because they will acquire bad habits, and getting an adult basset to change their habits is almost impossible. In turn, harsh treatment will make him a rebel and lose confidence in the owner.

The puppy needs to be properly socialized – he should be taken to new places, allow him to contact different people and other dogs. During the growth period, he should not be allowed to walk up the stairs (descending is particularly harmful).

Who is this race for?

Basset hound will disappoint those who find it difficult to accept stubbornness, independence and disobedience. The owner does not have to have a lot of experience in raising dogs, but should be patient, forgiving and consistent.

Basset hound. Advantages and disadvantages

Disadvantages

• stubborn and independent
• not very obedient
• several times a year it molts strongly
• tends to swallow inedible items

Advantages

• attached to owner
• gentle and good-natured
• gets along well with children
• feels great in a group of dogs
• accepts other pets
• easy to care for

Health

Basset doesn’t mind rain, wind or cold. During severe frosts, however, he should not be allowed to stay outside for too long. The representative of this breed does not like hot weather, you should provide him with a cooler place to rest, and take him for long walks early in the morning or evening.

Juvenile lameness is the most common basset disease. They usually appear at the age of nine months and last until about the fifteenth month. They do not require surgical intervention, but it is recommended to give the dog preparations supporting the joints (jelly from crow’s feet also works) and veterinary anti-inflammatory and painkillers. It is also worth limiting movement and maintaining low body weight. A fairly serious problem is the basset’s tendency to swallow inedible objects (e.g. stones), which threatens their health and life.

Sometimes there are defects in eyelid alignment, inflammation of the third eyelid and prolapse of the third eyelid (so-called cherry eye). Ear infections and skin problems also occur. Gastrointestinal enlargement and torsion may occasionally occur, and spine diseases may occur in old age.

Feeding

Most bassets have a tendency to gain weight, so do not overfeed them. The type of food must be adapted to the age, lifestyle and activity of your pets. Puppies up to about nine months of age need carefully balanced meals, so it’s best to use ready-made feeds from reputable companies.

Nutritional errors made during this period can adversely affect the entire adult life of the dog. The menu should include substances that support joint development (glucosamine and chondroitin). Adult bassets can be given dry foods or home-cooked food supplemented with calcium, vitamin and mineral supplements. The daily dose is better to divide into two smaller meals.

Care

The basset’s short coat is easy to care for, but he loses it properly all the time. A typical coat replacement is carried out two or three times a year. The most intense molting occurs in spring, when both the undercoat and the coat hair fall out abundantly. Although there is a lot of hair, it is unlikely to stick to the ground and it is easy to clean.

If necessary, we comb the basset with a rubber glove or a brush. However, during the molting the furminator is checked. Finally, you can wipe your pet with a damp towel to remove dead hair, dust or exfoliated epidermis.

Long hanging ears are susceptible to inflammation, so check their condition regularly. However, we clean them only when necessary. Too frequent care treatments can destroy the natural protective barrier, which makes irritation easier. You also need to control your eyes, remove tartar and shorten claws that are too long.

Basset we bathe in shampoos for short-haired dogs. You can also use medicinal cosmetics (iodophore, biosulfur, tea tree or aloe vera extract) or hypoallergenic. Then we wipe the dog thoroughly and let it dry itself. If it’s cold outside, it’s best to take a bath after the last walk.

The representative of this breed does not require special preparation for the exhibition. He should be clean and taught how to behave in the ring. It’s best to present it in a clamping chain and on a thin leash.

Accessories

Basset is best brought out in a clamping chain. A large amount of loose skin around the neck makes it easy to free from the collar. Braces are not recommended because they deform the chest and shoulder girdle.

Representatives of this breed will take care of cotton cords, balls, rubber toys (large enough not to swallow them). You can also give him natural chews – rumen, dried ears, beef tendons.

It is worth getting used to the cage, which will work both at home and during exhibitions or holiday trips.

Basset hound. History

Basset hound belongs to the group of hounds used for tracking and chasing animals. It is an English race, although it is undoubtedly of continental origin. Basset type quadrupeds supposedly existed long before breeders became interested in them. In the Egyptian pyramids, you can come across paintings depicting the favorites of the pharaohs – short-legged dogs with an elongated figure.

In the 16th century, William Shakespeare wrote about their long ears and loud voices. In turn, in the painting from 1793 by Agnes Berry a lady was immortalized in the company of a small dog reminiscent of modern representatives of the breed.

The short-legged artesian basset (basset d’artesien) or the artesian-norman basset (basset artesien normand) are considered the direct ancestor of the basset hound . They come – like most French hounds – from hunting dogs that came to France from Asia Minor with the Crusaders. They were bred in the monastery in the Ardennes by Saint. Hubert (655-727), patron of hunters. Because they were characterized by a unique sense of smell and hunting passion, they quickly spread to aristocratic courts.

Although officially the first French bassets appeared in Great Britain in 1866, many cynologists believe that this could have already happened in 1066 after the Norman invasion. The name basset comes from the French words ‘bass’, i.e. low, dwarf, and ‘set’ – embedded, which perfectly describes the appearance of this dog. The word “hound” in Great Britain means all hounds.

Sir Everett Millais – son of a well-known nineteenth-century painter – had the greatest contribution to basset breeding in the British Isles. He brought many excellent dogs from France, including Modela and Fino de Paris from the breeding of Count Le Couteulx de Canteleu, and enriched the breed with beagle and bloodhound blood. Basset lover was the wife of King Edward VII, Queen Alexander, the owner of Sandringham kennel. Her dogs took part in the shows, and one of them even won the Crufts award in 1909. In 1884, the Basset Hound Club was established in England.

At the first club exhibition in London organized in 1886, over a hundred representatives of this race were presented. In the 1930s, the bassets reached the United States, and in 1935 the Basset Club was founded. Two years later, the breed was recognized by AKC (American Kennel Club). An updated FCI template has been in force since 2011.

Template

Basset hound – g rupa VI FCI, section 1.3, reference number 163

• Country of origin: Great Britain
• Size: 33-38 cm
• Coat: short, dense, smooth fitting, not very thin; skin loose and elastic, but not exaggerated
• Ointment: black and white with tan or white and lemon; any ointment found in hounds is allowed
• Maturity: 2 years
• Lifespan: 10-12 years
• Weather resistance: quite high

Interesting facts

Basset hound, like a dachshund, may have difficulty walking up the stairs because of its physique.