The sad look, short legs, and huge floppy ears give the Basset Hound a high recognition value. In the profile, you’ll get information about the origin, character, and care of the British dog breed.

History of the Basset Hound

The origins of the Basset Hound date back to the Middle Ages in France, where monks bred hunting dogs. The direct ancestors of the breed are the already extinct breeds Basset d’Artois and Basset Artésien Normand. It wasn’t until the mid-19th century that the first specimens arrived on the British Isles. To improve the dogs’ sense of smell, the English crossed them with Bloodhounds. There, it quickly became a popular scent hound for hunting hares in packs. In 1880, the British Kennel Club recognized the Basset Hound as a breed.

Outside of Europe, the breed spread mainly in the USA. There, it was bred at times as a pure fashion dog with excessively long ears and loose skin. In the 1970s, to their dismay, the dogs reached the height of their popularity. Today, breeders are again paying more attention to dog-friendly and healthy Basset breeding. The FCI classifies the Basset Hound in Group 6 “Scenthounds and related breeds” in Section 1.3 “Small Scenthounds.”

Nature and Character

The Basset Hound is a good-natured, lovable, and sometimes stubborn dog. It is extremely intelligent and quickly learns how to get its way. Nevertheless, these laid-back dogs are never aggressive or hostile. As bred pack animals, Bassets are very social creatures and always greet unfamiliar dogs in a friendly manner. Their threshold for stimulation is extremely high, and they get along well with children. Despite its sad gaze, the Basset is a true joy and very playful.

Appearance of the Basset Hounds

The Basset Hound is a robust and short-legged dog with noticeably large ears. The front legs are muscular. The skin tends to form slight folds in some areas of the body, such as the cheeks and forehead. The dark eyes are diamond-shaped and convey a calm and serious expression. A common condition in the breed is called Ectropion, where the lower eyelid droops so much that the red inner side is visible. The large floppy ears extend slightly beyond the tip of the muzzle. The fur on the ears is supple with a velvety texture. The remaining coat is smooth and dense. The dogs are predominantly bred in the colors black-white-brown and lemon-white, but all other hound colors are possible.

Puppy Training

Since the Basset Hound was originally used for independent hunting, it remains independent today. Therefore, it requires particularly consistent and understanding training. A positive bond with its human is important to the dog, although it would never submit. The quickest successes with these headstrong dogs are achieved by convincing them with treats and praise. Also effective is teaching the little dog new commands through play and challenging its intelligence. Especially the pronounced hunting instinct should be addressed early on in a pure companion dog.

Activities with the Basset Hound

Despite its sluggish appearance and short legs, the Basset Hound should not be underestimated. Even though it’s not particularly fast, it is very enduring. It can track small game over long distances and doesn’t lose the scent thanks to its good sense of smell. Even as a purely family dog, the Basset therefore needs engaging activities and plenty of exercise. Long, leisurely walks with many sniffing breaks are its great passion. Due to its physical build, it is not well-suited for dog sports. Intelligence games and nose work at home bring great joy to this clever dog.

Health and Care

With its short, smooth coat, the Basset Hound is a rather low-maintenance dog. Grooming is quickly done through sporadic brushing. Unfortunately, some representatives of the breed are very susceptible to various diseases due to excessive breeding. Eye problems and ear infections are not uncommon. Therefore, it is important to regularly check and gently clean both body parts. Additionally, the short-legged dog tends to gain weight quickly. So, pay attention to a balanced diet with high-quality dog food.

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Is the Basset Hound Right for Me?

The Basset Hound is a strong-willed dog who enjoys challenging its owners mentally. This trait, combined with its strong hunting instinct, makes it a dog for experienced owners. You should not only respect but rather appreciate the Basset Hound’s own will. When purchasing a puppy, it is important to visit a reputable breeder who cares for the well-being of their animals. Ideally, they are affiliated with the “Basset Hound Club of America” or the.

Interesting and Worth Knowing

Its comical yet sad appearance earned the Basset Hound a large following as early as the 1940s. There is therefore a whole list of well-known representatives of the breed who became famous in movies and television. Particularly famous was the male Axelrod, who served as a mascot for the “Flying A” gas station. Also, the best friend of TV collie Lassie, Pokey, was a Basset Hound. In the US series “Columbo” from the 1970s and “The Dukes of Hazzard” from the 1980s, a Basset Hound accompanies the detectives in their pursuit of criminals.

Even famous personalities like Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Clint Eastwood owned a Basset. The breed even made it into some animated films. For example, it can be seen in “The Great Mouse Detective” or “Droopy,” as well as in the animated film “Pets.” Nowadays, the dogs are not quite as popular, but they still enchant many with their very special charm. Stars like Jennifer Lawrence and Shakira own their own Basset Hound.

Do you have a Basset Hound or are you thinking of getting one? Share with us in the comments what you think makes it so special!