Basset Hound Dog Breed | Dog Breeds 101 Video: Basset Hound
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Basset Hound - Dog Breed
The Breed History
The origins of this breed can be traced back to France and Belgium. The first written documents to record the breed name "Basset Hound" date back to the 1580s. The breed name may derive from the French word for low, "bas". First shown in the late 1800s in England, the breed was registered with AKC in 1884 and soon became popular in the USA.
Breeding for Function
These dogs were used to slow trail game such as rabbit, hare and also sometimes deer. Basset Hounds were prized for their accurate trailing, especially in thick bush. His nose is considered almost as outstanding as a Bloodhound's. Earliest records term the breed "badger hound" indicating their use for badger hunting in the early phases of breed development, and other accounts report them in hunts for wolf and boar. Here they were used in packs. For small game, they were frequently hunted in pairs (termed a brace). They are seen in field trials and tracking, obedience and are popular as well as a companion dog.
Physical Characteristics
Height at Withers: less than 14" (35.5 cm).
Weight: 40-60 lb (18-27 kg).
Coat: The dense, short smooth glossy coat is acceptable in any hound color. Red and white and tricolor are commonly seen. Longevity: 12 years
Points of Conformation: Their short, very heavily boned legs mean they are slow moving, but agile. The head is large, and the skull has a prominent occipital protuberance. They possess a moderate stop, and skin forms wrinkles on the face when the head is down. The nose is darkly pigmented. Lips are also of dark pigmentation, and end in loose flews. A pronounced dewlap is present. The neck is very muscular and of good length. Eyes are brown and somewhat deep set. This allows the conjunctivae of the lower lids to show. They are said to have a sad expression. The ears are very long, pendulous and low set, with ends curling in. They are deep through the thorax and ribs are well sprung. The skin is significantly loose and wrinkled over the carpal and tarsal areas of the limb. Paws are large, rounded, and slightly deviated laterally from the level of the carpus. Dewclaws are often removed. The topline is level and tail carriage is typical for hounds- carried high when on a scent. The tail is thick, slightly curved and reaches almost to the ground at rest. The gait is easy, and movement of limbs is parallel.
Recognized Behavior Issues and Traits
Reported breed characteristics include: Gentle, devoted, good for pack or individual hunting or housing, also excellent in the home. Has low grooming requirements, is loyal, active, and independent. The typical mature Basset Hound has moderate exercise needs. They are also described as stubborn, and must be kept on leash. They possess a level temperament, are good with children, and can tend to dig if bored; some are loud alarm barkers. The breed has a problem in some lines with aggressive, uneven tempered dogs. The BHCA recommends that all puppies be temperament tested before placement in homes.
Normal Physiologic Variations
Slow to mature.
They tend to gain weight easily so proper diet and exercise are essential.
Drug Sensitivities
None reported
Inherited Diseases
Hip Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing degenerative joint disease and hip arthritis. OFA reports 37.4% affected.
Elbow Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing elbow arthritis. Reported at an increased frequency in the breed, but too few Basset Hounds have been screened by OFA to determine an accurate frequency. Reported 19.5x odds ratio for the fragmented coronoid process form of elbow dysplasia versus other breeds.
Patella Luxation (Slipping Kneecaps): Polygenically inherited congenital laxity of patellar ligaments, causing luxation, lameness, and later degenerative joint disease. Treat surgically if causing clinical signs. Too few Basset Hounds have been screened by OFA to determine an accurate frequency.
Basset Hound Hereditary Thrombopathy (BHT): An autosomal recessive bleeding disorder of abnormal platelet function, characterized by a thrombasthenia-like defect in aggregation but normal clot retraction. Glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (GP IIb-IIIa) is detectable in BHT platelets but may be functionally defective. A genetic test is available.
von Willebrand's Disease: Autosomal recessive, type I form of this bleeding disorder occurs in the breed. Causes mild, or prolonged bleeding episodes. A genetic test does not exist in this breed.
X-linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (XSCID): Rare, X-linked recessive disorder, where affected dogs cannot generate antigen-specific immune responses. A genetic test is available to identify affected males and carrier females.