Basset Hound

Size
Medium (11kg - 27kg)
Exercise
20 min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
Some outdoor space
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Weekly
Barking preference
Moderate
Personality
Independent + affectionate

History

The Basset Hound is thought to have descended from a type of bloodhound, bred by the Benedictine Monks of the St Hubert Monastery in Belgium. Whilst the body and head shape confirms this, Bassets were further developed in France, where they were deliberately dwarfed, to be followed by hunters, on foot. Their primary purpose was to hunt rabbits and hare and their name comes from the French word “bas”, which means “low”.

The original Basset Hounds were slightly longer legged than the modern breed and they are described by the breed standard as a hound of substance, bred for endurance

In the fifteen and sixteen hundreds, the St Hubert Monks supplied many of these hounds to the French Aristocracy, and from France they were exported to England, then gradually to other parts of the world.

They are second in scenting ability only to the Bloodhound.

Appearance

Domed head with prominent occiput, lozenge shaped eyes, nose tapered but not snipy or pointed. Ears should be set just below eye level and should be long enough to extend beyond the end of the muzzle. Strong jaw with scissor bite. Muscular neck with a dewlap (skin fold) under the chin. In the field, the long ears stir up the scent and the dewlap holds the scent to the nose. Tail should be carried up, and gently curved like a sabre – never curled or touching the back. Reach and drive movement with level top line.

Acceptable colours: tri-colour, red and white, tan and white, lemon and white – and any recognised hound colour.

Height: 33-38 cm at withers.

Ribbing – well rounded and sprung, not flanged. Adequate length of rib is required to protect the organs of this low slung hound, in the field. Rounded “apple” bottom. Loose skin across the body, which moves with the dog and serves as a lubricant, if the hound becomes snagged by foliage. Fold of skin on the head (not exaggerated), which drops forward and protects the eyes as the Basset travels with nose to ground.

Health

Like other barrel chested breeds, without careful feeding, the Basset is prone to bloating. The long back needs to be looked after. A single level house / yard is preferable. Secure fencing is necessary. Lifting into and out from the car is essential.

The ears need to be cleaned to avoid infections. Weight must be carefully monitored. A warm, dry sleeping area is required if you don’t want to be kept awake with howls of protest. Can have litters of up to thirteen puppies.

Temperament

Laid back, a little bit stubborn with a strong personality, the Basset is a loyal family member who will walk all day, but is just as happy staying home. Not a dog that suits being an ‘only child,’ as he may howl if left alone all day. Always the comedian, can tell a story with the raising of one eyebrow! Great with children and other dogs.

Fairly challenging to train, but responds well to a regular routine, lots of treats, repetition and kindness.

Suitability

The Basset Hound is suited to families with active lifestyles, who are prepared to take the dog with them to school sport or other activities. If they are to spend long periods of time alone, it is recommended that the dog be paired with another Basset or some suitable companion dog.

Leash free walking needs to be offered only where the dog will come to no harm, especially if it “gets on the scent” and forgets to listen.

The Basset is a great watch dog with a deep, melodious bark, and very vocal in play. As they are food motivated, their food needs to be kept under lock and key, as there is very little you can hide from these excellent scent hounds. Basset Hounds, are like chips, hard to stop at just one.

Words: Helen Topalov
Photo supplied by Julie & Amber O’Flynn

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Basset Hound you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Basset Hound and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 22 May 2009)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Short legged hound of considerable substance, well balanced, full of quality. It is important to bear in mind that this is a working hound and must be fit for purpose, therefore should be strong, active and capable of great endurance in the field.

Characteristics

A tenacious hound of ancient lineage, which hunts by scent, possessing a pack instinct and a deep, melodious voice.

Temperament

Placid, never aggressive or timid. Affectionate.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Domed with some stop and occipital bone prominent; of medium width at brow and tapering slightly to muzzle; general appearance of foreface lean but not snipy. Top of muzzle nearly parallel with line from stop to occiput and not much longer than head from stop to occiput. There may be a small amount of wrinkle at brow and beside eyes. In any event skin of head supple enough as to wrinkle slightly when drawn forward or when head is lowered. Flews of upper lip overlap lower substantially. Nose entirely black except in light coloured hounds when it may be brown or liver. Large and well-opened nostrils may protrude a little beyond lips.
Eyes	Lozenge shaped neither prominent nor deep set, dark but may shade to mid-brown in light coloured hounds. Expression calm and serious. Light or yellow eye highly undesirable.
Ears	Set on low, just below line of eye. Long, reaching only slightly beyond end of muzzle of correct length, but not excessively so. Narrow throughout their length and curling well inwards; very supple, fine and velvety in texture.
Mouth	Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck	Muscular, well arched and fairly long with pronounced but not exaggerated dewlap.
Forequarters	Shoulder blades well laid back; shoulders not heavy. Forelegs short, powerful and with great bone; elbows turning neither in nor out but fitting neatly against side. Upper forearm inclined slightly inwards, but not to such an extent as to prevent free action or to result in legs touching each other when standing or in action; forechest fitting neatly into crook when viewed from front. Knuckling over highly undesirable. Some wrinkles of skin may appear on lower legs, but this must on no account be excessive.
Body	Long and deep throughout length, breast bone prominent but chest neither narrow nor unduly deep. There should be adequate clearance between the lower part of the chest and the ground to allow the hound to move freely over all types of terrain. Ribs well rounded and sprung, without flange, extending well back. Back rather broad; withers and quarters of approximate same height, though loins may arch slightly. Back from withers to inset of quarters not unduly long.
Hindquarters	Full of muscle and standing out well, giving an almost spherical effect when viewed from rear. Stifles well bent. Hocks well let down and slightly bent under but turn neither in nor out and just under body when standing naturally. Some wrinkles of skin may appear between hock and foot, and at rear of joint a slight pouch of skin may be present, but on no account should any of these be excessive.
Feet	Large, well knuckled up and padded. Forefeet may point straight ahead or be turned slightly outwards but in every case hound always stands perfectly true, weight being born equally by toes with pads together so that feet would leave an imprint of a large hound and no unpadded areas in contact with ground.
Tail	(Stern) well set on, rather long, strong at base, tapering, with moderate amount of coarse hair underneath. When moving, stern carried well up and curving gently, sabre-fashion, never curling or gay.
Gait/Movement	Most important to ensure that the hound is fit for purpose. Smooth, powerful and effortless action with the forelegs reaching well forward and hind legs showing powerful thrust, hound moving true both front and rear. Hocks and stifles never stiff in movement, nor must any toes be dragged.
Coat	Smooth, short and close without being too fine. Whole outline clean and free from feathering. Long haired, soft coat with feather highly undesirable.
Colour	Generally black, white and tan (tri-colour); lemon and white (bi-colour); but any recognised hound colour acceptable.
Size	Height: 33-38 cms (13-15 ins) at withers

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.