Basset Hound
Group: Hound
Lifespan: 10-12 Years
Pups per Litter: 8-15
Average Weight: 45-65 lbs.
Average Height: 11-15 inches
Exercise/Actvity Level: Low
Temperment with:
Children 
Other Dogs Other Animals
History
The Basset Hound is a French breed of dog used specifically for hunting small game such as hare or rabbits. Their body plays a great part in the actual hunting sport itself because their height allows them to be very close to the ground and their large, floppy ears unravel the dirt on the ground which brings out the scent of their prey! The name Basset or Bas, means "low" in French, therefore Basset Hound is a low hound! Despite their usual shape, this breed is very old and is still used today for modern dog jobs.
Traits
The Basset is a very sweet, affectionate, outgoing breed that is great for families. They are generally very well behaved and are quite gentle with children as they love and crave attention from their owners. Despite the affection they give to their family, these dogs are incredibly stubborn and will often only do tricks or commands if there is food involved. Bassets also have a strong sense of smell and will go where their nose takes them if ever the opportunity arises, so on leash walks are recommended at all times!
Appearance
Weighing in at 45-65 lbs ( 20-29 kgs) and averaging around 11-15 inches high, the Basset Hound is a solid, short legged breed that was created for functionality rather than for visual effect. This breed has a long muzzle, a large powerful nose, and droopy eyes. Their body is much longer than it is high and their legs are thick yet very short. The Bassets tail has a trademark white tip on the end so owners can quickly see where their dog is in tall grass! The most famous part of this breed is their ears. Long, thick and rectangularly shaped, the Bassets hearing as well as ability to upturn soil and continue their scent search is what enables them to work. Without this they would be nothing more then an average hound! These dogs most commonly are a red/copper colouring with white patches but all colours are accepted in the show ring.
Health
This breed is most commonly prone to ear infections (due to the fact that they drag on the floor), obesity, bloat, epilepsy, paralysis of their hind quarters and glaucoma. If these dogs are fed smaller meals throughout the day and are exercised regularly it will greatly improve their chances of avoiding the above ailments. Due to their size ratio to height, it is more likely that they will develop spinal problems so keeping them at their healthy weight is more then necessary.
Training
The Basset Hound will need a strict owner when it comes to training. These dogs are very stubborn and will be motivated by food and attention so quick training exercises done multiple times per day is going to be the easiest way to teach them different commands. The way to get through to this breed is to make sure their mind is on you and the training itself, so a short walk to get the extra energy out of their system wouldn’t be a bad idea before the training lesson begins. Housetraining is known to be much more challenging with this breed, but paying close attention to each timed break as well as very repetitive outings, will eventually pay off!
Care
These dogs will need weekly brushings to remove the dead fur and bathes every 2-3 months. Having their nails clipped once per month is needed because they are known to grow quite long and will make it difficult to walk later on when their talons have grown past their proper length! The Basset will need to have their ears cleaned quite often and monitored for any types of infection as this ailment is not at all uncommon for their breed.
Breed
This breed is categorized in the Hound Group. Their average lifespan is between 10-12 years and they have on average 8-15 pups per litter. The Basset Hound will be good for people living in an apartment because they don’t need a large amount of space to live in as long as they get their daily walk or trip to the off leash park. When attaining a baby Basset, keep in mind that every puppy is different and to research your breed before bringing the baby home!
Reference pages for Information:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bassethound.htm Basset Hound Breed Information
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basset_Hound Basset Hound Information
http://www.bassethoundrescue.com/ Basset Hound Rescue
http://www.akc.org/breeds/basset_hound/index.cfm Basset Hound AKC Standards
http://www.bassethoundclub.co.uk/ Basset Hound Club
http://www.basenji.org Basenji Club of America
