Richard Cussons

What You Should Know About Basset Hound Dogs

Facts you may want to know before bringing home a Basset Hound dog...

Basset Hound dogs are friendly dog and make excellent pet for families. Here are some of the facts about Basset Hound dogs:

1. What’s with the name? – The word ‘basset’ was derived from a French word ‘bas’ meaning ‘low’. ‘Basset’ literally means ‘rather low’.

2. Basset the friendly dog - Along with their charming sad face, Basset Hound dogs are often considered friendly dogs both to human and other pets. They make excellent household pets and they hate being alone. To keep a Basset from trouble when you are away from home, a companion, a second pet in the family will solve the problem.

3. Long ears – Basset hound dogs are more likely to acquire ear problems because of its long and downward ears. They are more susceptible to get odorous ear wax because their ears trap dirt as they drag on the ground or floor. Regular and proper cleaning of the ears is necessary. They also have increased hearing range because of these long ears.

4. Training – Training something new to this dog is very difficult yet possible. Yes they will obey commands when they are aware of rewards but will forget the training when there is no reward. They also tend to follow their noses than listen to their trainers. If you want to train your hound, even just housebreaking or obedience training, patience and consistency is essential.

5. Bark – Basset hound dogs don’t usually bark. They might howl when they want something or they want to indicate something. They also tend to use low murmuring whine when they want to get attention or if they are begging for something, either a toy or a treat. Some dog owners think that their dog’s whining seems to sound as though they are talking.

6. Bred for what? – This breed from French ancestors is primarily bred to hunt by scent. They are considered as scent hounds and their capacity to track to scent is second only to that of Bloodhound. These large dogs with short legs are also bred to have achrondroplasia, also known as dwarfism.

7. Weight – These dogs can be deceiving. A basset hound seems to be small but in fact they are not. They usually weight 50-70 pounds and can reach things on table tops because of their long bodies.

8. White tail – This breed has long and tapering tails. The tail usually stands upright with a curve and should be tipped in white. The tails are tipped in white for tracking and hunting purposes.

Basset hound dogs are really easy to care for as long as you are knowledgeable about the characteristics and needs of this dog. Go and get one! A basset hound may be the right breed for you and your family.

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