Basset Hound

The Basset Hound is a short-legged scent hound with a lovely temperament. Known to get along with other dogs and with a strong affinity to their humans, they make excellent family pets.

Breed History

The Basset Hound was first bred in France. It is suggested that Basset Hounds were bred through a mutation of the St Hubert’s Hound strain which resulted in them having much shorter legs. Basset Hounds originally hunted in packs and are known to get on well with other pets.

General Appearance

This breed is distinguishable by their dwarfed legs, elongated ears and beautiful markings. You may find a Black and White, Red and White, White and Chocolate, or tricolour Basset Hound. Standing at up to 38cm tall, the Basset Hound can weigh in at up to 29kg.

Temperament

The Basset Hound has a lovely temperament. Known for being friendly and easy-going, they are known to get along well with other pets and are very people orientated. They can be a little stubborn at times, which is important to factor in when training.

Health Considerations

Elbow Dysplasia: It’s  important to buy from a reputable breeder who hip and elbow scores their breeding stock and only breeds dog with acceptable scores. Orthopaedic conditions like elbow dysplasia will lead to pain and arthritis and can dramatically affect a dog’s quality of life, especially in their senior years. Feeding a joint supportive diet such as Pooch & Mutt Joint Care is important for those with joint disease.

GDV/Bloat: This is a serious and painful condition which, left untreated, can be life threatening. It’s important to seek urgent medical care if you suspect your dog is suffering with Bloat. 

Intervertebral degenerative disc disease (IVDD):  Perhaps more commonly  known as a ‘slipped disc’, IVDD can be very painful for dogs and in some cases can lead to paralysis

Trainability

Although Basset Hounds have a bit of reputation for being stubborn, their intelligence and eagerness to please their owners can make them easier to train than you may think.  As with any breed, the key is to train and socialise them early.

Grooming

Bassets Hounds are short-haired which means they do not have to be bathed too often. Remember, these are scent hounds and as such, they can have overly sensitive snouts so it’s best to use a fragrance-free doggy approved shampoo. 

Exercise

Between 30- 60 minutes a day should be enough exercise to keep your Basset Hound happy, including a short daily walk of up to 30 - 45 minutes plus playing games at home or in the garden for mental stimulation. 

Feeding Considerations

As the owner of a Basset Hound one of your main considerations should be their weight as this short-legged breed are unfortunately prone to piling on the pounds. A diet that consists of lean and healthy protein sources, healthy fats and fibrous vegetables is appropriate. If you are struggling to maintain your Basset Hounds weight, a complete dried food such as Pooch & Mutts’ Slim & Slender can help.

For feeding guidelines, check out the calculator at the bottom of Pooch & Mutt food ranges. Simply input your dogs size, age and weight to find out the ideal feeding recommendations to keep your dog in tip top physical and mental shape.