Dog Breeds A To Z: The Basset Hound

With its adorable, droopy expression, long ears and waddling walk, the Basset is an easy dog to spot. These loveable dogs have a long history and are believed to descend from the Ardennes St. Hubert hounds. They were brought to Britain by the Norman invaders in 1066, and it was in Britain that they were bred with other hounds to increase their size.

The name of the breed comes from the French word 'bas', meaning low.

This is a breed that is renowned for being gentle, affectionate and well-mannered. Bassets get on with everyone, and just love to be loved. They are exceptionally good with children and get on well with other dogs, as well as non-canine pets.

In fact, they are so agreeable that it is easy to forget that this is a hunting dog, and a very good one at that. These days though, Bassets are seldom seen as working dogs, and are more commonly family pets.

Grooming a Basset Hound is a relatively simple task. The coat is short and requires only a brush down a couple of times a week to keep it looking its best.

You should also take care to keep those long ears clean because they are a trap for fungus, bacteria and other debris. All it takes is a wipe down with a wet cloth once or twice a week to keep them healthy.

For dogs that aren't that active, you'll probably have to clip the nails every once in a while. This is a job that many dog owners dislike, but you can also ask your vet or grooming salon to do it for you.

Bassets are famously difficult to train. Like most of the hound group they've been bred to think for themselves, so they don't just follow orders blindly. You will need to be consistent in your efforts, but always keep it positive as Bassets are very sensitive and harsh treatment will damage the bond you've built up with your dog.

Lots of patience will be required of you, because Bassets are easily distracted and always likely to trot off if they pick up an interesting scent. But persistent application will succeed in the end. Food treats are very important when training a Basset, because they love to eat. Pick the dog's favorite treats as a reward, and it will definitely help.

Unfortunately Bassets suffer from a number of health problems, including foreleg lameness, entropion, gastric torsion, cysts on the paws, and osteochondrosis. Obesity is a common concern and the extra weight it places on the spine often results in vertebral problems.

Bassets can be quite lazy, but it is important that they have daily walks to ensure they don't become overweight.

The Basset Hound makes a wonderful pet that is affectionate, comedic, entertaining and just an absolute joy to be with.