Never in a hurry to get anywhere due to their short legs and slow gait, basset hounds make excellent dogs for those with more sedentary lifestyles. Without attention, however, they may get very vocal or dig where they shouldn’t, so they do need owners willing to spend time with them daily.
Whether you’re looking for basset hound puppies for sale or just want to learn more about this breed, read on to discover more.
The Basset Hound is a very loving, most pleasant-natured, and easygoing of all breeds. A Basset Hound has high stamina and can keep up with energetic and active children. It is a loyal dog and protective of his family, which means they will look out for your children too. It is a patient breed and can tolerate noise and a lot of activities. Bassets are also great with other dogs and other pets.
Friendly dogs with easygoing natures, basset hounds are great around kids and other pets and simple to integrate into bigger families. They’re intelligent dogs, but their stubborn attitudes may make them harder to train than some other breeds. Training basset hounds are very independent. It can be challenging when teaching them commands. It is best to teach them early socialization and use reward-based training. Patience and a firm hand often help owners overcome this issue.
Keep in mind that basset hounds are very vocal dogs, known for their characteristic bellowing bark. Also, they’re bred for hunting, so when they get on the trail, they aren’t easily discouraged. This means you need to keep a close eye on these pooches when exploring the great outdoors.
Basset Hounds are highly adaptable. They can withstand most weather, however, just like any dog breed they are sensitive to excessive temperatures. For places that have a warmer temperature than usual, it would be best to keep them inside and keep them hydrated.
They can adapt easily to any environment and tend to be very relaxed. Bassets are small enough to live in an apartment and big enough to qualify as a big dog.
A Basset Hound is generally a healthy breed and a well-rounded dog. Obesity is a big risk with basset hounds due to their short, stocky builds, and their long, droopy ears prove prone to infection because of the lack of airflow. Due to their deep, narrow chests, this breed is also at risk for gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), also known as bloat, and eye problems such as glaucoma and cataracts often afflict older basset hounds. Additional health issues to watch out for include heart disease, Addison’s disease, back problems, joint issues, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and neurological disorders.
Basset puppies have some special needs that are similar to large breed puppies. They do well on high-quality dog food for large breed puppies. These foods have precise levels of calcium and phosphorus that a basset hound puppy needs. Free feeding is not recommended as they may tend to overeat and may lead to weight gain which will cause obesity and health problems.
The Basset Hound dog is a breed that requires exercise on a regular basis. This is because they have a high tendency to gain weight and can be lazy. When walking a Basset puppy, it is important to keep them on a leash at all times because they will not respond to you when on a run after a scent or chasing something that runs. They prefer long walks to keep them on the healthy side.
They also need to have mental stimulation and the best way is through obedience training. Interactive dog toys will provide the brain workout your Bassets need. This is to avoid them from doing their own work and these are the projects you don’t like such as chewing and digging. You can also include dog sports such as agility and search and rescue.
Due to the many common ailments that afflict basset hounds, owners should watch out for any out-of-the-ordinary issues. Likewise, annual vet checkups can help you address, track and treat any problems your pooch encounters. Additionally, daily walks and frequent play can help this breed maintain healthy body weight.
Basset’s ears are long and droopy and to ward off ear infections, make sure to check the Basset Hound’s ears frequently and clean them as needed. Short coats make basset hounds simple to groom. Just run a brush through your pet’s fur a couple of times a week to capture any shedding and keep its coat glossy. The breed’s characteristic droopy eyes tend to collect matter at the edges, so wipe that out frequently.
Basset Hounds are perfect for first-time dog owners due to being very affectionate. They are perfect for any size family and are good around children.
Part of the hound group of dog breeds, basset hounds stand up 15 inches tall and weigh between 40 and 65 pounds. Females are typically smaller than male dogs, but usually, the difference is nominal.
Lifespans for basset hounds range between 12 and 13 years.
Originally bred in the 1500s in pre-revolutionary France, basset hounds were used for hunting rabbits due to their low-slung yet heavy-bodied frames. They became hunting dogs for families and commoners for the purpose of hunting small game. The 1800s saw the British fine-tuning this breed with a focus on their excellent sense of smell and a slow enough gait that hunters could keep up with them on the chase. This dog breed was officially registered in the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885. The Basset Hound Club of America was established in the United States in 1935.
In 20th-century America, however, the basset hound won over family hearts due to its endearing look, making it a popular pet breed. Their laid-back nature consolidated their place indoors, as they prove an excellent companion to both people and other pets.
Bassets possibly descended from the St. Hubert Hound. This is the ancestor of the present-day Bloodhound. The Basset hound came about when a mutation in the St. Hubert strain produced a short-legged hound. Out of curiosity the dwarf hound was kept and bred later due to its ability to hunt and track rabbits.
On February 27th, 1928 Time magazine featured a Basset Hound on the front cover and the story was about the 52nd annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. It appears as if it is observed by a Basset Hound puppy.
Many cartoon dogs are based on a Basset Hound. Some are featured on Disney and the most famous one is Droopy.
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