Is a Basset Hound the Right Dog for You?
Basset hounds have a keen sense of smell and were originally bred for hunting small game. They have a distinct appearance with their long floppy ears, droopy eyes, and low-to-the-ground body. Despite their lazy and relaxed demeanor, they can be quite stubborn at times.
The Basset Hound was used in France
during the Middle Ages for tracking and hunting rabbits and hare. The dogs were used by hunters on foot because of their excellent scent discrimination abilities.
The Basset Hound Origin was in 6th Century France.
There were many versions of the breed. Some with short legs and some with long. The name Basset hound was derived from the French word bas for “short” or “low-set”. The breed standard of today calls for a weight of 40-65 pounds and a height of up to 15 inch
It is believed that both the Basset Hound
and the Bloodhound are descendants of the St. Hubert hound. While the St. Hubert hound was more similar in appearance to the Bloodhound, historians believe a genetic deviation produced a dwarf version of the dog that proved invaluable to hunters. Thus, the Basset Hound was born.
In Landmark Research on the Development
of modern dog breeds, the Basset Hound was shown to have similar DNA with a common ancestor of the following breeds:
Bloodhound
Beagle
Otterhound
Basset Hounds do Tend to Drool and Snore
But that is part of their charm. They also excel in howling, and will eat almost anything, weather in the garbage, cabinet, or counter. It’s a good idea to keep a Basset Hound supervised as they will wander off to follow an interesting scent! And, while following a scent, they may ignore the owner’s calls to return. Although the dog is not a speedster, it is still faster than most owners, meaning that it should generally be exercised on a leash or in a fenced area.
While the Bloodhound has been
proven to be the king of tracking and scent detection dogs (with 300 million smell receptors) their cousin, the Basset Hound is a close second (220 million scent receptors) followed by the Beagle with slightly less than 220 million receptors. All three of these wonderful scent hounds excel in any type of scent work.
How Fast Can a Basset Hound Run?
The American Kennel Club Conducts Running Trials called the FastCat each December in Orlando, FL. In these 100 yard races, the Basset Hound has an average running speed of of a little over 14 mph. The fastest recorded speed was by a dog named Paris of Creekside at 21 mph.
Growing Up Basset Hound
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In the Landmark Book
entitled “The Intelligence of Dogs” by professor Stanley Coren, the Basset Hound was ranked as the 71st out of 130 dog breeds in canine intelligence. Essentially, this means a Basset Hound will learn and obey new commands between 80-100 repetitions. In contrast, the brightest breeds will learn and obey commands in 5 repetitions or fewer!
Basset Hound Temperament & Personality
The CBARQ Research Study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, is a large study on the temperament of over 300 dog breeds. In this research, the Basset Hound ranked 117th out of 124 breeds in easiness to train. One reason for this is that that they also rank very high in stubbornness!
In this Same Research
Basset Hound rate very low in aggression towards other dogs, strangers and other small animals. This research would tend to confirm the belief that most Basset Hound have an affectionate nature and are laid back and easy to get along with.
Basset Hound Humor
The Average Lifespan of Basset Hounds
is 10-12 years but owners have reported dogs living up to 18 years! Because their long ears do not get much air circulation, they are prone to ear infections and should be kept clean. In addition, there are certain health conditions that may affect the breed
Lafora Disease
Basset Hound Thrombopathia
Intervertebral disc disease
Check Your Basset Hound Facts and Take a Fun Basset Hound Quiz!
Quick Facts About Basset Hounds Infographic
Basset Hound Facts – Final Thoughts
Basset Hounds are truly fascinating and unique creatures. From their short stature and loose skin to their wagging tails and unique howls, these dogs have a charm all their own. While they may not make the best guard dogs due to their friendly and sociable nature, they excel in other areas such as obedience and endurance. With proper care, including a balanced diet and regular exercise to prevent obesity, Basset Hounds can live long and healthy lives. Their short coats make grooming a breeze, and their good manners make them a joy to have as family pets!
