Let's talk Basset Hounds

Those eyes! The Basset Hound’s desirable traits are aplenty but it’s the devoted stare, trademark long ears and short legs that have drawn many a pet owner to this special breed. The origins of the Basset Hound lie in hunting (specifically for rabbits) and this dog has the second-most powerful nose in dog-dom, next only to the Bloodhound. With their slightly stubborn yet close-to-ideal, laid-back temperaments, the modern-day Basset Hound has found a place at the heart of many homes.

Official name: Basset Hound

Other names: Hound

Origins: France

Drooling tendencies		Warm weather?
Grooming needs		Cold weather?
Shedding level		Suited to apartment living?
Barking tendencies		Can stay alone?*
Energy Level*	High	Family pet?*
Compatibility with other pets

*We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.

Every pet is different, even within a breed. This snapshot of this breed specifics should be taken as an indication alone.

For a happy, healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socialising your pet, in addition to meeting their basic welfare needs (and their social and behavioural needs.

Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.

Contact your breeder or veterinarian for further advice.

All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.

33 cm - 38 cm Height

23 kg - 29 kg Weight

33 cm - 38 cm Height

20 kg - 27 kg Weight

Baby age	Birth to two months
Puppy age	Two to 12 months
Adult age	12 months to five years
Mature age	Five to eight years
Senior age	From eight years

With their slightly stubborn yet close-to-ideal, laid-back temperaments, the modern-day Basset Hound has found a place at the heart of many homes.

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Get to know the Basset Hound

All you need to know about the breed

Affectionate, loyal and very much at ease with themselves, the Basset Hound is top dog when it comes to their docile nature. Their long stocky bodies and short legs make the breed a big dog in a little dog’s body and those extra long, velvety ears are equally entrancing.

The Basset Hound also possesses stunning markings distinguished by a mix of rich black, brown and white dappled with flecks of tan. Their handsome coat and low-key nature has made them incredibly suitable for showing. The breed is a staple on the dog show circuit, their charming physical and temperamental attributes often garnering them a top spot on the podium.

With a slight stubborn streak, Basset Hounds will benefit from being taught early on when it comes to your expectations. Where it helps: Out on the trail, as the dog is part of the Hound Group and exhibits a determined pace and loud bark when taking on its bred-for role.

The Basset Hound's nose is its most incredible feature: It ranks just behind the Bloodhound in accuracy. Beware the Basset Hound at mealtime though, if you don't want your dinner to go missing!

This breed is ridiculously loyal. However, training will take effort. That’s where treats, starting in puppyhood, come into play. Seemingly aloof, the Basset Hound will obey if you are persistent.

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Two facts about Basset Hounds

1. Their sense of smell can sometimes lead them astray

The Basset Hound is second only to the Bloodhound when it comes to astonishing sense of smell. The highly prized trait may work against them though, leading them down a perilous path while in pursuit of said scent. It's best to keep them on a lead when on walks or in unfamiliar territory.

2. Basset Hounds are prone to bloating

The breed can succumb to gastric dilation and volvulus – commonly known as GDV or bloating. If this genetic predisposition happens, the stomach can twist and fill with gas. Bloating can occur in dogs with deep chests and can be dangerous. Watch for signs of distress post mealtime. Regular, calm meals and not overfeeding help, as can surgery where necessary. A great vet can walk you through it!

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History of the breed

The adored Basset Hound is aptly named by its home countries of France and Belgium for its long, low body: “bas” means low in French. It is thought that this scenting hound was honed by the Benedictine monks at the Abbey of St. Hubert in Liege, Belgium, from earlier French breeds. The breed occurred when a mutation of the strain produced a dwarfed version. The low-slung dog was soon prized for an innate ability to traverse brushy, rugged terrain where smaller creatures (primarily rabbits) lived.

The French aristocracy kept the breed in vogue over the last two centuries, since the Basset Hound’s phenomenal sense of smell, not to mention their devotion, was superb. The United Kingdom and the United States both formed an attachment to the breed as well. 1866 marks the first recorded presence of the Basset Hound in England, with Lord Galway importing a pair from France, followed by Sir Everett Milais in 1874 who then started to show the breed. Princess Alexandra of Wales followed suit, keeping the Basset Hound in royal kennels and in 1882, the Kennel Club in England accepted the breed. In 1884, the English Basset Hound Club was formed.

Fanciers in the United States are near-obsessed with the breed, the dog’s signature somber visage even becoming the face of a 1960s ad campaign for Hush Puppy shoes.

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From head to tail

Physical characteristics of Basset Hounds

1. Ears

V-shaped very erect ears, medium length and thickness

2. Head

Rectangular, elongated head characterised by beard and eyebrows

3. Body

Bold, strong, and muscular body, very large limbs

4. Tail

Short tail set high, usually docked

5. Coat

Double coat, harsh, wiry, very dense outer coat, soft undercoat

Affectionate, loyal and very much at ease with themselves, the Basset Hound is top dog when it comes to their docile nature

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Things to look out for

From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Basset Hound

Healthy diet, healthier dog

Puppy

Adult

Senior

When choosing food for a Basset Hound, there are many factors to consider: their age, lifestyle, activity level, physiological condition and health, including potential sickness or sensitivities. Food provides energy to meet a dog’s vital functions and a complete nutritional formula should contain an adjusted balance of nutrients to avoid any deficiency or excess in their diet, both of which could have adverse effects on the dog.
Fresh, clean water should be available at all times to support good urinary regularity. In hot weather and especially when out exercising, bring water along for your dog’s frequent water breaks.
Energy intake may also have to be adapted to the climatic conditions. A dog that lives outdoors in winter will have increased energy requirements.
The following recommendations are for healthy animals. If your dog has health problems, please consult your veterinarian, who will prescribe an exclusively veterinary diet.
A Basset Hound puppy’s requirements, in terms of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals, are much greater than those of an adult dog. They need energy and nutrients to maintain their bodies as well as to grow and build new cells. Until they are 15 months old, a Basset Hound puppy’s immune system develops gradually. A complex of antioxidants – including vitamin E – can help to support their natural defences during this time of big changes, discoveries and new encounters. Their digestive functions are different from an adult Basset Hound’s, too: their digestive system is not yet mature, so it's important to provide highly digestible proteins that will be used effectively. Prebiotics, such as fructo-oligosaccharides, support digestive health by helping to balance the intestinal flora, resulting in good stool quality.
It's important to choose kibble that's appropriate in shape, size and texture. This growth phase also means moderate energy needs. Large-breed puppies, such as Basset Hound puppies, whose growth period is long and intense, are especially susceptible to skeletal and joint problems, including limb defects, bone deformities and joint lesions. The first phase of growth mainly consists of bone development, although the muscles also start to grow. This means that a puppy who eats too much – or in other words, takes in too much energy – will put on too much weight and grow too quickly. Limiting the energy concentration of food for Basset Hound puppies and feeding the correct daily amount will help to control the speed of growth and minimise these risks.
Concentrations of other nutrients should be higher than normal in a specially formulated growth food. Although the calcium content in the food needs to be increased, maxi-sized breed puppies are more sensitive to excessive calcium intake. It’s important to understand, then, that adding any ingredients to a complete food formulated for the growth phase is at best, unnecessary and at worst, dangerous for the animal, unless prescribed by a veterinarian. Splitting the daily allowance into three meals a day is recommended until they are six months old, at which point you can switch to two meals per day.
Throughout their lives, it's important to avoid feeding Basset Hounds human foods or fatty snacks. Instead, reward them with kibble taken from their daily meal allowance and follow the feeding guidelines written on the package strictly in order to prevent excessive weight gain.

The main nutritional goals for adult Basset Hounds are:
Maintaining an ideal body weight by using highly digestible ingredients and keeping the fat content at a sensible level Helping to support the health of their bones and joints with glucosamine, chondroitin and antioxidants.
Promoting optimal digestibility with high-quality protein and a balanced supply of dietary fibre.
Helping to keep the skin and coat healthy and beautiful with the enriched provision of essential fatty acids (especially EPA-DHA), essential amino acids and B vitamins in order to support the skin’s “barrier” function

Once they reach five years old, Basset Hounds will start facing the first signs of ageing. A formula enriched with antioxidants will help to maintain their vitality and specific nutrients, such as chondroitin and glucosamine, will help to support healthy bones and joints. Ageing is also accompanied by changes in digestive capacities and particular nutritional requirements, so food for older Basset Hounds should have the following characteristics:
Higher vitamin C and E content. These nutrients have antioxidant properties, helping to protect the body’s cells against the harmful effects of the oxidative stress linked to ageing.
High-quality protein. Contrary to common misconception, lowering the protein content in food offers little benefit in limiting kidney failure. On top of this, older dogs are less efficient at using dietary protein than younger dogs.
Reducing phosphorus content is a good way of slowing down the gradual deterioration of kidney function.
A higher proportion of the trace elements iron, zinc and manganese to help to keep the skin and coat in good condition.
A higher quantity of polyunsaturated fatty acids to help maintain the quality of the coat. Dogs can normally produce these fatty acids but ageing can affect this physiological process.
As they age, dogs are increasingly prone to teeth problems. To ensure they continue to eat enough, the shape, size and texture of their kibble needs to be tailored to their jaws.

Don't be fooled by their smaller size – like any canine, they're in need of a good workout regime, since movement is key to keeping fit

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Caring for your Basset Hound

Grooming, training and exercise tips

Keeping the Basset Hound’s coat groomed is important as it is a breed prone to shedding a great deal. And who wouldn’t want to maintain that dappled, multi-coloured manteau? A soft brush or a shedding tool are the right devices to have on hand to keep that slick, almost oily coat neat. Its length won’t require a long session of brushing, for sure. The occasional bath should also be given for your Basset Hound to stay as fresh as possible – barring any rounds with mud puddles – as they can be prone to an unusual breed-specific body odour. Make sure that you clean in, around, up and under those skin folds, as dirt and bacteria can hide there.

Hounds think for themselves and the Basset Hound is no exception. A confident and pleasant breed, their intelligence may be a drawback when it comes to obedience training, as they have a tendency to do what they want and have a bit of a stubborn side. They don’t take kindly to harsh criticism but rather respond to kinder, gentler commands that are also consistent. Give those and your Basset Hound should be one cooperative dog! The other part of their character: They very much enjoy attention and if they don’t get it from you, the Basset Hound will seek it out with nudges and by following you around the house or giving you that longing look.

The Basset Hound needs a good amount of activity and daily walks are just the trick to keep their solid body trim. Don't be fooled by their smaller size – like any canine, they're in need of a good workout regime, since movement is key to keeping fit. And as a born sporting dog, the need to move is in his blood, with endurance being one of the Basset Hound’s top traits. They may be low-slung dogs but what they lack in height, they make up for in endurance.

All about Basset Hounds

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Sources

1 – Veterinary Centres of America https://vcahospitals.com/

2 – Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020

3 – Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/

4 – Royal Canin BHN Product Book

5 – American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/

Let's talk Basset Hounds

With their slightly stubborn yet close-to-ideal, laid-back temperaments, the modern-day Basset Hound has found a place at the heart of many homes.

Get to know the Basset Hound

Two facts about Basset Hounds