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Basset hound

The basset hound was bred in France from short-legged strains of the St Hubert hound, to trail game slowly enough that a hunter could follow on foot.

Everything about it serves the nose: only the bloodhound has a better one.

The famous shape is functional. Short legs keep the nose close to the ground, loose skin and heavy ears help sweep and hold scent around the face, and the white tail-tip was bred to stay visible in cover. Bassets are heavy for their height — a surprisingly solid dog — and are placid, sociable and comprehensively stubborn.

Origin
France
Size
20–29 kg, 33–38 cm at the shoulder
Lifespan
10–13 years
Coat
Short, hard and dense
Temperament
Placid, sociable, obstinate, led entirely by scent
Exercise
An hour daily at their own pace

Related: Bloodhound · Afghan hound · American leopard hound · Basset bleu de Gascogne · Basset fauve de Bretagne

3 basset hound photos, newest first

Basset hound feed
  • Bertie, a basset hound

    Bertie

    Bertie has picked up a scent, and the ears are simply along for the ride.

    FrostyOtter · 6 days ago

  • Fennel V, a basset hound

    Fennel V

    Fennel V was promoted to mayor opening a very small fountain; unfortunately, a tower of lemons begins to collapse.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Fennel V, a basset hound

    Fennel V

    Fennel V supervising, which mostly means lying down nearby.

    MerryBadger · 2 weeks ago

Living with a basset hound

The coat is easy but the folds and ears are not. Long ears drag through everything and trap moisture, so clean and dry them weekly, and check skin folds for soreness.

Weight is the health lever. A heavy body on short legs puts real strain on the spine and joints, and bassets will eat anything, indefinitely.

Intervertebral disc disease, elbow dysplasia, ear infections and glaucoma are the common problems. Being deep-chested they are also at risk of bloat. Recall over a good scent is effectively non-existent, so fence properly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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