Basset Hounds are descended from the old St. Hubert hounds. Used to trail and drive game away, the Basset Hound has had such famous admires as King Edward VII and Shakespeare. The Basset Hound was bred for hunting small game. The Basset Hounds long ears were developed to stir up and hold the scent for their strong nose to smell. The folds of skin under the chin, called the dewlap, help trap and hold the scent. Wrinkles about the head and face also aid in holding the scent. Their large feet make them steady and the heavy bones make them sturdy. With their short legs they are ideal for slow trailing which allows hunters to fellow on foot. The Basset Hounds is used primarily to hunt rabbit although they were first used on other small game such as pheasant.

DOES THE BASSET HOUND MAKE A GOOD PET?

YES!!! The Basset Hound is one of the best dogs available for a family to love. They are extremely tolerant and love everyone in the family equally. They are a very gentle, sweet, loyal and affectionate breed, although they are quite stubborn at times. They get along well with other pets of various species. They are not an aggressive watchdog but will learn to give a deep bark as a warning if prasied when sounding off. Otherwise, they will accept visitors with a sniff and return to a favorite corner. The Basset hound is a versatile pet who will play with children, make a skilled hunter, and sit by their owner's side during quiet times.

HOW BIG IS THE ADULT BASSET HOUND AND HOW SHOULD THEY LOOK?

The male Basset Hound at maturity usually weighs between 55 and 75 pounds, and stands 12-, to not more than 15-inches tall at the shoulder. They are a big dog on short legs. The female is usually about 10 pounds lighter and 1-inch or so shorter than the male. Make no mistake, the Basset Hound grows to be a good size dog, weighing more than most people expect, due to his heavy bone. As a young dog they need a consistent, firm, (but not harsh) hand so they will learn not to jump on people. They are not lap dogs, even though they may think so. The Basset Hound has a large, well proportioned head, sad, droopy eyes with a prominent haw; and long, low-set ears and loose facial skin and dewlap. A muscular neck and shoulders arch above a powerful shest, and the stubby legs are tipped with huge paws. His low-slung, loose-skinned, body is accented by a tail carried gaily in an upswept arc.

WHAT IS THE BASSET HOUND'S TEMPERAMENT?

Basset Hounds have gentle dispositions. They were bred to be pack dogs and to get along with each other. This makes the male as friendly, mild, and easy to live with as the female. Males are not as aggressive as some other breeds of dogs, and they are usually not as prone to "marking" their terrutory unless there is an unneutered male around.

DO BASSET HOUND'S HAVE ANY STRANGE HABITS?

Some Basset Hounds have a tendency to howl when left alone for long periods of time. They will also wander away from home if not kept in a (securely locked) fenced area. The Basset Hound is so good with kids, and often found in homes with children, great care MUST be taken to assure that gates cannot accidentally be left open when the kids enter and leave the fenced area. When a good scent reaches their nose, there is no telling where they will end up, and unfortunately, the Basset Hound is not good at finding the way home. A responsible owner keeps his Basset Hound as safe from harm as he would any other cherished pet.

A Basset Hound with its large deep flews also tends to be more slobbery than other breeds. Some individual Basset Hounds are "drier mouthed" than others, but as a whole the breed is a "wet mouthed" breed. To the prospective Basset Hound owner, this means that the dog will droll quite a bit, and tend to make a mess while drinking. If you are a fastidious housekeeper, and have an aversion to dog droll on your floors (and occasionally your walls), the the Basset Hound is probably not the breed for you. This is an important point, because one of the major reasons that Basset Hounds are given up for rescue or adoption is that "the dog drools too much". Time and again those involved in Basset Hounds rescue hear this same old story. So get out your slobber rag if you want a Basset Hound!!!

HOW MUCH DOES A BASSET HOUND EAT?

Adult Basset Hounds generally eat between 2 and 4 cups of food per day. (Many dog food labels have you over-feeding your dogs.) Basset Hounds often have a tendency to get fat, partly because their sad look lends their owners to "take pity on them" and give them more food than they require. Overeating is dangerous to all dogs. Puppies, depending on their age, will eat from two to four meals per day in proportion to their size. you should avoid feeding your Basset Hound fat foods; feed a well-balanced, name brand dry food supplemented with a quality canned food and/or other supplements. Many canine nutrition expects feel that vitamin supplements are not needed when using a top quality name-brand dog food. If a vitamin is used, care must be taken to avoid over-supplementing. Check with your veterinarian to see what is best for your dog. Store or generic brand dogs foods should not be used. A pregnant female Basset Hound gradually requires more food and supplement as recommended by your veterinarian.

ARE BASSET HOUNDS HARD TO GROOM?

The Basset Hound does not fussy coat care due to his hard, short coat which repels dirt and water rather well. However, they should be brushed weekly to remove any loose hair and dirt. Bassets do not shed very much if brushed regularly. The Basset Hound needs a bath only four to six times a year because a good rubdown with a coarse cloth or a hounds glove will remove a great deal of dirt and bring a shine to the coat.

Regular grooming helps create a bond between owner and pet. Wipe out the insides of the ears once a week. The Basset's heavy ear leather prevents loss of moisture from inside the ear, and, if it is not cleaned out with cotton ball and a solution recommended by your veterianarian, odor and/or infection can result. Clean the outside of the ears also because they often drape in food and water dishes and pick up dirt from the ground. Trim the nails every 1-3 weeks to allow the dog to walk correctly on his feet and properly clip your dog's nails. Clean your Basset's teeth with a soft toothbrush and water/doggie toothpaste to prevent plaque buildup. You may want the veterinarian to show you the proper procedure for anal gland care as another means of keeping your dog odor-free and comforable.

ARE BASSET HOUNDS HEALTHY DOGS?

The Basset Hound claims excellent health. He is not prone to many hereditary weaknesses that are present in some other breeds. Many of the Basset's health problems can be attributed to his owner because he allowed his dog to become overweight, possibly resulting in aggravated arthritis, back problems, or heart trouble. Physical fitness is as important to the Basset as it is to humans. The Basset Hound enjoys running and leading an active life. Dogs raised in areas of the country where they can participate in the popular sport of field trailing can enjoy particularly good health. The Basset is an endurance dog.

All breeds can carry gentic disorders or hereditary faults.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN MY OLDER BASSET HOUND?

Given good care, the Basset can lead a very active 10 years and be active as a stud dog up to 12 years. (AKC will not register puppies sired by a dog over 12 years of age without written permission of AKC and certifaction from a verterinarian.) Bassets enjoy their food in old age and, if allowed, become fat and lazy. The Basset is an easy keeper and a steady hound and usually lives 8 to 12 years, although there are many that live beyond, to 14,15,16 or even up to 17 years.

ARE BASSETS HARD TO BREED?

YES!!! Once determining that your dog of bitch is worthy of being bred (be sure to read the breeding FAQs) the owner of the dog must be prepared to provide the following:

* A safe, secure, clean area to keep the visting bitch to be bred (the bitch always goes to the dog). Can you provide this? * Bassets do not "free" breed and need to be personally handled/supervised throughout the entire act of breeding. Are you willing to do this? Two Bassets left together is a room will only result in two tired, frustrated, unbred dogs. * Your male will probly start "marking" (peeing) his territory in your home. :( * Your male may become more aggressive perhaps to you, and your family.

REMEMBER: If you have never had ice cream, you will never miss it. SPAY and/or NEUTER.

ARE BASSET HOUNDS HARD TO HOUSETRAIN?

No harder than any other breed, you MUST be consistent.

CAN THE BASSET HOUND SWIM?

Only with great deal of difficulty. With 2/3 of the Basset's weight in the front, and with such short legs, they can swim only very short distances, and with great difficulty. If you must go boating with a Basset be certain, you have provided a life preserver for him or other suitable floatation device. Extra care msut be taken around swimming pools, and the Basset should never be left, unsupervised in a pool area. Should your Basset be prone to falling in, get him to swim to the stairs, so that he will learn the way out.