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The Basset Hound is a scent hound. He uses his nose to trail
his quarry. His long ears stir up the scent for his nose to smell, and the wrinkles on his
head and folds of skin under his chin trap the scent so his nose can do its job! The Basset's
slower pace allows the hunter to follow on foot.
The Basset Hound is a solid dog. Although he
may stand no more than 15 inches tall, at maturity he may weigh up to 75 pounds.
He has a short, sleek coat that tends to repel dirt and water. It may be black, tan, white, or
any combination of these colours. His ears need regular cleaning and attention to avoid
infection. The Basset Hound
is not a swimmer. With his long body, heavy front, and short legs,
if he can swim at all, it's only for very short distances. Pool
areas should be fenced, and the Basset Hound should never be left
unattended in a swimming pool area.
The mild-mannered Basset Hound is a
great family dog. Equally devoted to all members of the family, he is affectionate, gentle,
loyal, and intelligent. The Basset is very tolerant and plays well with children. Because he
was bred to work in packs, he also gets along well with other household pets. Although he can
give a good imitation of a couch potato, the Basset is fairly active when outdoors, and is
capable of covering great distances in a surprisingly short period of time.
The
Basset Hound has a stubborn streak, and will benefit from early training and socialization.
With training, he will learn to sound a warning bark when strangers approach. However, he is
not by nature a watch dog. As a scent hound, the Basset will follow his nose wherever it will
lead him, and should be kept in a fenced-in
yard. He should have daily exercise to combat a tendency to obesity. Be
aware that this is a dog that drools a fair bit, especially after drinking. Keep a drool rag
handy and learn to live with it......or don't get a Basset Hound! This is the number one
reason Bassets are given up by their owners.
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