Basset Hound

History of the Basset Hound breed

Officially, the Basset Hound is considered an English breed, but the homeland of its ancestors was still France. Since the Middle Ages, in the books and manuscripts of French historians, notes began to slip about squat dogs from the Artesian-Norman hounds tribe, attracted for burrowing and truffle hunting. In written sources, the animals appeared under the name bassets and were depicted as short-legged dogs with a massive backbone. By the way, the characteristic stunting inherent in all modern representatives of this family was an elementary mutation, subsequently artificially fixed by breeders.

In the XVII century, basset breeding in France became widespread, as a result of which the breed expanded the list of "qualifications". Now, with short-legged dogs, they went not only to the burrowing beast, but also to pheasants. It is clear that this was mainly a foot hunt, since the bassets simply could not keep up with the horse, but they perfectly managed to wade through the thickets and dive for prey under the deadwood. Approximately at this stage, the stratification of the family of short greyhounds began. As a result: by the XVIII century, 12 different basset lines could be found in French kennels, some of which "merged" later into the so-called Artesian-Norman type.

The English stage of the breed's formation began in the XIX century, when the Artesian-Norman Basset crossed the English Channel. In Shakespeare's homeland, animals were immediately added a "national flavor", tying them with bloodhounds , which gave the body of the dogs solidity and easy "folding", and their ears – an impressive length. The offspring obtained as a result of crossing were called basset hounds, having presented it at the Paris Exhibition in 1863.

About 20 years after the official announcement, the basset Hounds had their own club, and in 1887 they finally separated from the other types of bassets, having passed the standardization procedure. At the end of the XIX century, the breed was already well known in America, while in Russian nurseries these sad short-legs appeared only in the late 70s of the XX century.

Video: Basset Hound

Basset Hound Breed Standard

A basset Hound stretched out on a rug gives the impression of a clumsy woolly caterpillar, in which it is difficult to suspect a hunter. Nevertheless, the dog is perfectly adapted to racing for prey in rough terrain: the short legs of bassets easily overcome the "traps" of uneven terrain, which is beyond the power of other varieties of hounds.

The mournful expression of the muzzle, characteristic of representatives of this breed, is their exclusive exterior highlight. The Basset Hound can be peaceful, enthusiastic, angry, but all these mood changes will be accompanied by a single sad face.

It is impossible to ignore the long, hanging almost to the ground ears of the breed, resembling drooping wings. In a basset that has gained enough speed, they are fluttering under the pressure of the wind, creating the illusion that the dog is about to take off.

The height of the basset Hound at the withers, according to the standard, should be 33-38 cm. Dogs weigh from 18 to 29 kg.

Head

The Basset Hound's head has a domed shape with a distinctly protruding nape, a massive muzzle and a moderate stop. The offended-sad expression of the muzzle, inherent in the breed, is achieved due to the elastic skin that forms small wrinkles under the eyes and eyebrows. In addition, dogs are characterized by bryliness, when the lower jaw is overlapped by a freely hanging upper lip.

Teeth and bite

The teeth of the Basset Hound are strong, white, closed in a regular scissor bite.

Nose

Basset Hounds have prominent nostrils: large, wide-open, often protruding beyond the lip line. The preferred color of the lobe is black, although brown and liver variants are acceptable for animals with light hair.

Eyes

The eyes of the Basset Hound are distinguished by a shallow fit, oval shape and an emphatically melancholic expression. Individuals with a dark brown tinge of the iris are considered standard, but for light-colored dogs, a medium brown tone is possible. Strict no to yellow and light brown eyes.

Ears

The long, inward-wrapped ears of the Basset Hound are set below eye level and hang down along the neck. The ear cloth is thin to the touch, velvety.

Neck

The dog's elongated, thick neck has a distinct bend of the upper line and pronounced suspension.

Housing

The body is elongated, voluminous, muscular, with a wide back and withers and croup located on the same line. The chest of the Basset Hound is harmoniously developed, not narrow, moderately deep. The belly line should be sufficiently tightened so as not to interfere with the animal when running.

Limbs

The front legs of the dog are short, thick, with a strong bone and small folds in the lower part. The blades are placed at an angle of 45 °, providing a good reach in motion. Forearms slightly converged at the top, but not interfering with the step. Hind legs with fleshy thighs, good hock joints and short, slightly wrinkled metatarsals. In addition, the Basset Hound has massive, arched paws, "placed" on large pads. The breed moves smoothly, thanks to a good sweep of the front legs and a springy push of the hind legs.

Tail

The strong, long tail of the Basset Hound has a slight bend without obvious twisting (saber-shaped). A moving dog has its tail raised up.

Wool

The short dogskin of the basset Hound tightly covers the body, without forming feathering.

Color

Theoretically, basset hounds can have any colors peculiar to hounds. In reality, dogs are most often tricolor (for example, black and white with reddish tan) and bicolor (red-white).

Disqualifying vices

The ban on participation in exhibitions and dog shows is given to basset hounds with developmental defects that call into question their pedigree. For example, if a dog is overweight (over 38 cm), has a long coat or an obvious goat (the wrist joint protruding forward) – this is enough to exclude it from the number of contestants.

Basset Hound Photo

Character of the Basset Hound

The Basset Hound, despite its funny, pointedly clumsy appearance, is still a dodger, both in terms of physiology and intellectual indicators. Proud and proud, he not only reacts painfully to criticism and infringement of personal rights, but is also able to develop and then put into action a plan for a little revenge on the one who angered him, so if one day you find a suspicious spot or a pile on your favorite carpet, do not rush to be indignant. It is quite possible that the Basset Hound gave you a pig on account of yesterday's offense.

Representatives of this breed have their own views on life, which does not prevent them from being on good terms with their owners. Don't look at the sad face forever glued to the dog's face. Inside, basset Hounds are sociable and very cheerful creatures. For example, at home, a dog behaves like a typical sybarite: it stuffs its stomach with sweets until it swells like a bubble, lies on sofas, wrapped in ears, hangs around the owner's feet in anticipation of affection. In general, he shows with his whole appearance that he knows a lot about pleasure.

As befits a real hound, the Basset Hound is absolutely not aggressive. Of course, if you try, you can upset any dog, but in general, the breed will not grumble and bite. Moreover, the Basset Hound is able to tolerate other dogs nearby and, much less often, cats. Naturally, no one will oblige the basset to transfer patience to all animals without exception. But if you introduce the "earwig" to the rest of the domestic fauna in advance, he will not terrorize them either.

Representatives of this breed categorically do not want to give up their favorite habits, preferring to change the lifestyle of their own owners as a compromise. For example, all basset hounds are tightly "hooked" on comfort, so if a pet has chosen a particular place in the apartment, it is almost impossible to move his shelter to another part of the housing. The solitude and loneliness of dogs also does not please, so if for some reason you did not take the basset hound with you, and he really wanted to, get ready for minor dirty tricks. Earwigs also adore lying on sofas, from the first months of life almost reflexively climbing onto the master's bed. Moreover, the secret passion for soft feather beds persists even in those individuals who, it would seem, have been weaned from this habit. Out of the house for an hour? You can be sure that the Basset Hound will not miss the opportunity to use your absence to its advantage and relax on your own bed.

Education and training

Basset Hounds are sociable and funny dogs, but zealously protecting their own interests. For example, they love to adapt the learning process to their needs and will try to break the rules of the game more than once if something does not suit them. Accordingly, if you have decided to raise an obedient pet, then do not make exceptions while the puppy is small and defenseless. It's not that Basset is so pathologically stubborn, he's just too smart not to try to bargain for indulgences.

An experienced owner or a specialist of the kennel club should teach the dog the rules of behavior in the house and commands, although this does not mean that it is necessary to "put pressure" on the animal. On the contrary, try to look at the classes through the eyes of a pet, which will allow you to understand his desires and aspirations. With the right approach, basset hounds like nuts click any discipline of obedience, as well as all kinds of dynamic competitions like agility. However, one should not hope for the impeccable performance of the breed. After all, bassets are not service dogs, and they quickly get bored of constant tugging. Therefore, you will have to treat with understanding the fact that one day your ward will intentionally "not hear" the call or ban.

The best incentives in working with basset hounds were and still are delicious rewards. The main thing is to skillfully play on the breed's tendency to gluttony and not overdo it. It is advisable not to use negative reinforcements at all. Do not forget, the basset Hound is touchy and will definitely respond to infringement of personal rights with some harm. However, if the animal persists and deliberately messes up, it is not forbidden to slap it lightly with a twig. A traditional rolled–up newspaper is not an option, bassets are literally thick-skinned creatures.

The duration of lessons for the breed should be minimal. The maximum that a basset hound can endure is 10 minutes, after which the dog will need an emotional "reboot". In addition to standard training, basset Hounds are taught to put up with forced loneliness. A pet left in an apartment for an hour or two should not frighten neighbors and passers-by with "opera arias". It is clear that it will not be possible to achieve absolute silence with this breed, but it is possible to reduce its talkativeness. From the first days after moving to a permanent place of residence, wean the puppy from "collecting" the owner's things, which is something like a hobby for basset hounds. Remove all shoes from the big-eared prankster, even if they are old and it's time to throw them away. Do not forget, the animal does not see the difference between worn-out flip-flops and newly bought nikes, so it nibbles them with the same passion.

Maintenance and care

Unlike its French ancestors, today's basset Hound is not well adapted for life in the yard, so its place is in the house. Special conditions for keeping a dog are not required, so you will have to buy for her all those household items that are for any apartment breed, that is, a couch, bowls for food and water, toys, a tray, a leash, a collar and other accessories.

Up to six months, all movements of puppies around the house must be monitored. At this age, the short legs of basset Hounds are fragile, unstable and injured even with minor jumps, for example from the sofa. Stairs up to 6 months of age are best avoided, or climb up and down them with a pet in your arms.

Hygiene

Basset Hounds shed in autumn and spring, but this does not mean that it is necessary to comb their short hair with the same frequency. Massage the pet's skin and hair follicles with a soft brush, if not daily, then at least a couple of times a week. This, firstly, stimulates blood circulation in the deep layers of the skin, and secondly, improves the structure of the hair.

As for the smell of the dog, it appears in basset Hounds only when the wool gets wet. Bassets, which are bathed at least twice a month, also exude the "aroma" of a mouton fur coat, but it is usually not too pronounced and does not irritate the sense of smell. By the way, "boys" and individuals with a large number of folds always smell more intense.

In a situation where you want to minimize the dog's "fragrance", you can wash the Basset Hound with tar shampoo or add a little diluted acetic acid to the bath. If the dog smells too much of a nasty "ambergris", there is a chance that she has picked up a fungus or her paraanal glands are clogged. The latter happens often with Basset Hounds. Have you noticed that the pet has started to ride the fifth point on the floor? Urgently take him to a specialist to free up the clogged passages, or do the procedure yourself, guided by step-by-step instructions.

The fan-shaped ears of basset Hounds need increased attention. Not only that, bathing the dog, you will have to constantly monitor whether water has entered the ear canal, you need to allocate time for daily "inspection" of the ear funnel and ventilation. Total surveillance of the pet's muzzle also takes place. Basset hounds are still those slobs, and they have a specific lapping style (splashes and puddles fountain in all directions), so you have to be on duty near the dog with a towel willy–nilly. Eye hygiene of the basset Hound is basically wiping the mucosa with herbal infusions (tea, chamomile). Do not forget to take care of the dog's thick paws, cleaning them with a damp cloth after walking and cutting the claws about a couple of times a month.

Toilet

There is no need to invent a special technique for teaching a basset hound to a tray or newspaper. These cunning people cope with the traditional program. A separate question is how often they follow the rules. Of course, among the representatives of the basset family there are real perfectionists who humbly do their "business" where it should be, but there are less than half of such goodies. The remaining 50% periodically "mine" the living space on which they live. There may be several reasons for this, ranging from the desire to annoy the owner and ending with the lack of the opportunity to suffer with the toilet before a walk.

Many basset Hounds do toilet dirty tricks due to their young age and, having matured, they completely stop with them. Nevertheless, it is almost impossible to predict how a particular puppy will behave, since each basset is a small, eared personality with a unique character and inclinations. Sometimes a dog can persistently not go to the toilet during a walk, and when he comes home, immediately leave a "puddle" on the floor. This is already a protest that should not be allowed to happen again. If the dog comes to the dwelling without relieving himself on the street, take him for a walk again in five minutes and so on until the animal realizes that he will not be left alone.

Walking and hunting

Basset Hounds are real undercover agents. As soon as the dog leaves the boundaries of his own entrance, he instantly activates, transforming from a couch bumpkin into a stubborn tracker. Remember about this feature of the breed and do not let the animal off the leash near highways. The standard mode of walking the basset Hound is in the morning and in the evening, for about an hour. However, if it is possible to take out a pet more often, this is a big plus. A healthy basset will never refuse an additional promenade, and especially unplanned walks are useful for young individuals with an unformed toilet etiquette.

Breeders advise to take basset hounds out into the fresh air according to the number of feedings, that is, if a 4-month-old puppy empties the bowl five times a day, he should have the same number of exits to the street. Basset Hound walks should take place at a lively but relaxed pace. Do not load the dogs with marathon runs – the breed is not created for them. It's better to walk down the street with your pet, play ball or catch-up, but without fanaticism.

The Basset Hound's coat is dense, with a good layer of undercoat, so the breed does not need warming blankets in cold weather. Nevertheless, you can often meet dogs in overalls. Such equipment is connected with the owner's desire to protect the pet's fur from dirt and splashes, which the low belly of the basset attracts like a magnet. An important point: as befits a hunting dog, the basset Hound likes to disguise himself on the street. He does it in the traditional way, lying in carrion, or even feces. This, by the way, is an additional reason to dress the big-eared bespredelschika in a blanket.

The main working qualification of basset Hounds is blood trail hunting, which they brilliantly coped with in England. The strong, short legs of the dog were very useful here, as they helped to make their way into dense thickets of bushes and rhizomes. Funny breed ears are also a useful "accessory". The canvas fluttering in the run "captured" the smell of game and brought it to the dog's sense of smell.

As for Russian hunters, they prefer "full-sized" hounds to basset hounds. This selectivity is explained by the fact that it is problematic for short-legged basset hounds to hunt in the conditions of the middle band. In particular, in snowy winters, the dog will drown in snowdrifts. Do not forget that the optimal prey for the breed has always been rabbits, which are extremely rarely hunted in Russia. For this reason, the vast majority of domestic basset Hounds are decorative dogs with developed but not practical hunting instincts.

Feeding

The Basset Hound is a fast-growing breed. In particular, at 3.5 months, the puppy's milk teeth are completely replaced by permanent ones, and his skeleton gradually finishes forming. Due to this feature, babies need to be fed nutritionally from the first months of life. The main dish for basset Hound puppies is porridge with beef, in addition to which you can give low-fat kefir or fermented baked milk. The approximate serving size for a 2-month–old puppy is 100-200 g; for 3-4-month–old individuals – 400 g; from 4 to 6 months - 500-600 g.

10-month-old basset hounds are usually transferred to two meals a day and an adult diet. At this age, you can breed almost anything, including offal, fish fillets, vegetables (except potatoes and legumes), fruits, cereals, and as a rare treat – brain bones. Top dressing with calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D is another mandatory item on the "menu" for both teenagers and adult bassets: the load on the joints of the breed is enormous. It is useful for growing puppies to add supplements with chondroitin and glucosamine to their food so that they do not grow up with crooked legs. But a special gastronomic variety of basset hounds is not required. If the dog is healthy and leads an active lifestyle, he eats everything that smells edible. Experienced breeders recommend not to be touched by the brutal appetite of the dog, but to restrain it, because the breed is gaining weight masterfully.

It will not work to throw food into a bowl and forget about the basset hound: enthusiastic about the process, he will definitely rinse his ears in the bowl. To prevent this from happening, it is better to tighten the "locators" with a rubber band on the back of the head. In addition, after a meal, a small amount of food remains in the cheek bags of the basset Hound, which eventually begins to smell unpleasant. You will have to get rid of the rotting remains manually: open the dog's mouth and remove the decomposing gruel with a cloth.

Health and diseases of basset Hounds

Basset Hounds are not such frail dogs, but with their weaknesses. For example, like any fold-eared breed, bassets are susceptible to otitis media. Willebrand's disease (blood clotting disorder) passed to them by inheritance from their ancestors, just like allergies to certain types of plants and a tendency to inversion of the intestines. The wide, plump paws of basset Hounds are another vulnerable place where abscesses, fungus, and interdigital cysts sometimes occur.

A rather unpleasant breed disease is panostitis. The ailment is accompanied by temporary lameness, which is why it is often confused with hip dysplasia and dislocation of the kneecap. Panostitis manifests itself only in puppies, does not require surgical intervention and by the age of two ceases to bother the animal. However, due to the difficulty of diagnosing basset Hounds with this disease, they are mistakenly operated on, which does not affect the dog's health in the best way.

How to choose a puppy

• If it was not possible to get acquainted with professional breeders of basset hounds at the exhibition, contact the breed club, where there are always addresses of reliable kennels.
• Inspect and compare a couple at once, and preferably three litters.
• Gently feel the tail of the Basset Hound puppy you like. It should be smooth and elastic. Creases and distortions are a significant flaw, for which it is worth haggling to bring down the price.
• Carefully examine the paws of the babies. Preference is for a basset hound with thick, even legs, indicating the solidity of the backbone.
• Unfold the puppy ears and look into the ear canal. There should be no crusts and sulfur in it, as well as an unpleasant smell.
• Turn the little Basset Hound onto its back and examine its belly for excessive bloating and hernia.
• Observe how the puppy that interests you behaves in the pack, whether he eats with an appetite, whether he is not afraid of every rustle.

Basset Hound Puppies

Basset Hound Price

Buying a healthy, vaccinated and chipped Basset Hound in a kennel will cost $250 - $400 . The more expensive options are the offspring of a couple of interchampions, in the future claiming the right to be called a show class – from $600 and above.