Basset Hound All About The Breed
The Basset is an easily distinguishable dog, with its long ears, solid build and droopy mournful face. These dogs, which first arrived in Britain with the invading Normans in 1066, are believed to descend from the St Hubert Hound. Later in their history, they were crossed with other hound breeds to add size.
The name, Basset comes from "bas", the French word for low.
The Basset is one of the sweetest of all dogs. They are extremely loving with a real enjoyment of human company. They get on well with everyone, are even tempered and affectionate towards children and have no problem with other dogs, or even cats for that matter.
Jack: A book about a dog where the dog doesn't die at the end
A dog (Jack) and his person (The Tall Guy) decide to write a book, mostly about the dog. But don't worry, no dogs die at the end of THIS book! (Unlike some other books about yellow Labs)
Aren't you tired of reading books about vampires? Wouldn't a book about a zombie puppy be more interesting? Yeah, I thought so too. I guess I'll have to work on that for the next book. In the meantime, here's a book about a dog named Jack.A dog (Jack) and his person (The Tall Guy) decide to write a book, mostly about the…
Jack: A book about a dog where the dog doesn't die at the end
With their agreeable temperament and happy disposition you'd be excused for thinking that this has always been a companion dog. But in fact, the Basset's history is as a hunting and tracking dog, a role it excelled at.
Caring for a Basset Hound could not be easier. They have a short and smooth coat, which means that they have minimal grooming needs. A brush down once or twice a week is all that is required to remove dead hair and keep the coat in tip top condition.
In addition, you will have to pay special attention to the ears, which are susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections. Wipe them down with a damp cloth, being careful to dry them afterwards, and you'll avoid most problems.
You may also need to clip the dog's nails every once in a while. This is a task many dog owners shy away from, but it needs to be done, so if you're not up to it ask your vet or local dog groomer.
As with all hounds, Bassets can be difficult to train. It's not that they lack intelligence, but rather that they've been bred to think for themselves, and this can make them appear stubborn at times. The key is to be consistent and use positive reward based training. Bassets are sensitive souls and are easily hurt by harsh words and treatment.
Basset training takes tons of patience. They have a short attention span and are inclined to just trot off if the mood takes them. Stick to your guns and you will succeed, especially if you tap into the Basset's love of food and use really tasty training treats.
Like many purebred dogs, the Basset suffers from a number of inherited diseases. Common health problems for the breed include, osteochondrosis. entropion, gastric torsion, cysts on the paws, and lameness in the forelegs. Obesity is a common concern and can put extra strain on the vertebrae and cause back problems.
Bassets can be quite lazy, but it is important that they have daily walks to ensure they don't become overweight.All in all, this is a wonderful, affectionate pet that is easy to live with and an absolute joy to have around.
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