Basset Hound Complete Profile

Key Facts:

Size: Low-slung, but heavy dog
Height: 33 - 38 cm (13 - 15 inches)
Weight: 18 - 32 kg (40 - 70 lb)
Life Span: 11 years
Grooming: Relatively easy
Exercise: Steady but necessary
Feeding: Has a hearty appetite
Temperament: Placid & independent
Country of Origin: England
AKC Group: Hound

Temperament:
The Basset Hound is good tempered, placid and affectionate. Basset Hounds can be disobedient and have a mind of their own. These dogs get on well with children and strangers, but Basset Hounds also happily accept unwanted intruders, therefore they do not make the best guard dog. Basset Hounds can be difficult to house train, but can be obedient with gentle, patient training. Basset Hounds enjoy companionship and make gentle pets with delightful personalities.

Grooming:
Grooming for the Basset Hound is quite straightforward as the coat stays relatively clean without much attention. The loose and dead hairs can be removed with a rubber brush and the ears should be checked weekly and kept clean. The folds of skin may need to be cleaned from time to time and the claws should be kept short.

Exercise:
Basset Hounds do not need a great deal of exercise and they will be quite happy with short regular walks. They can also get exercise by playing in the garden, but they should be kept in well-fenced backyards as they love to explore and wander.

Feeding:
Basset Hound's have a hearty appetite. They need careful feeding in order to prevent gas forming in the stomach (bloat).

History:
Originally descended from the old French Hound, after a mutation of genes. The Basset Hound's legs became much shorter, while retaining the substance and general characteristics of the breed. The name Basset is derived from the French word 'bas' meaning low. Due to later crosses with the Bloodhound, the breed took on the head structure of the latter and improved it's scenting powers to be second only to the Bloodhound. In France and Belgium, Basset Hounds were used to trail foxes, rabbits and game birds – their shorter legs resulting in a slower pace and therefore less likely to scare their quarry. Added to that, the heavier bodies (up to 22kg or 50lb) and low stature were an asset when working through dense cover.

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Disproportionately short legs and heavy bones for it's height, while well-balanced. Smooth free action with the forelegs extending well forward and the hind legs thrusting backwards powerfully.
Colour: Any hound colour. Usually black, white and tan or lemon and white.
Coat: Short, smooth, dense and no feathering. The skin is loose and elastic, with wrinkles between the knee and foot.
Tail: Carried high, rather long in length and tapering.
Ears: Extremely long, narrow and set low. They have a velvety texture and hang in loose folds, curling slightly inwards.
Body: Long, smooth ribs carried far back, level back, prominent sternum, shoulders well back and strong and an overall barrel-like shape.

Additional Comments:

There are a variety of problems associated with the Basset Hound including; eye problems from the drooping lower eyelid, limb problems and ear irritations due to the lack of air circulation in the ear canal.

Related Information of Interest:

3 Simple Steps For A Healthier Dog
We all want what is best for our pet. Yet sometimes because of your hectic schedules, we tend to put our dog’s care at the bottom of the list or it just becomes a habit of chores we perform every day without giving it much thought. We stumble out of bed in the morning, let the dog out, fill the water bowl, dump some food in the dish and go on with our daily routine. Let’s face it this can get very boring for you and especially for your dog.

In order to maintain your dog’s health there are really only three simple steps you need to follow:
1.A good diet
2.Plenty of fresh water
3.Exercise

A good diet is essential to your dog’s health. Be careful what you buy! Read the ingredients label not just the name of the dog food. An all natural dog food is what you should be looking for, not one that contains filler and by-products. Remember you get what you pay for. Although an all natural dog food may be more expensive, studies have shown that your dog will in almost all cases eat more of the “bargain brand” than the all natural, nutritious dog food. The “bargain brands” will pass through your dog more quickly because they do not contain as much of the daily nutrients your dog requires. This leads to your dog being hungrier more often and thereby eating more. Your dog will retain more of the nutrients contained in the all natural food which means they will be less hungry, have healthier coats, more energy and better overall health.

Give your dog plenty of fresh water. Change it as often as you can. A good rule to follow is that every time you get yourself something to drink, add new water to your dog’s bowl.

Exercise your dog daily. This is good for you also. Take long walks, throw a ball or stick around the backyard or park. Remember your dog’s cardiovascular system, heart and muscles need exercise just like yours.

About the Author

Jim De Fazio is the successful webmaster of www.natural-pet-supplies.com. A site that offers all natural food and supplies for your dog or cat.

7 Simple ways to safe Guard your dog this summer!
If you have a hard time in summer imagine how it must feel under a fur coat! here are some simple tips to help your dog beat the heat.

1) Bob The Hair:
If you have a shaggy dog like a pomeranian, Pekinese or any such variation then listen up. Your dog needs a hair cut. The hair should be cut with scissors and not shaved. Do not cut around the whiskers but you can carefully trim around the eyes.The less hair on your dog the cooler he will keep. If you have a short haired dog no need for a trim.

2) Play it cool: Food can be lighter and given before it gets hot in the morning and after it cools down in the evening.Depending on the dogs normal diet, reduce or entirely eliminate meat. Replace with soya, mashed or cooked with meat flavour. When a dog is panting give ice to lick.

3) walk on the mild side:
Walks should be taken early and then again after sundown. Don't encourage chasing, fetching games too much.

4) Cool it: If you enjoy airconditioning so does your dog.If you have a cooled space share it with your pooch.

5) No closed encounters: Never leave dogs in a completely closed space. If your dog is home, Leave on the fan. In a car, leave the window partially open.

6) Let it all hang out: Dogs sweat from their tongues so never tie or muzzle the mouth in the summer. Whilst giving medical treatment see if you can hold the head rather than tying the mouth. If you have to tie the mouth be sure to release as quickly as possible.

7) Do not bathe your dog more than once a month. Soap/ Cleansers strip their skin of natural oils and lead to skin irritation. when dirty you can simply towel dry with a damp towel.

About the Author

Venkata Ramana is a Dog Lover since childhood. Visit his www.dogs-now.com/go/Boxer Dog website and discover how you can make boxer dog the happiest, loving dog alive, Running healthily with you.

A Funny True Life Dog Story
This is the story of my dog called Shandy. He was my favourite pet and he was very lively, lots of fun and very obedient. His main passion in life was to be taken for a long walk, culminating with a big run out in his favourite park.

I would try to take him on this walk everyday, weather permitting. The park itself was about three miles away from our house. To reach the park we had to cross a number of busy roads, however he would never pull or misbehave. He knew where we were heading and seemingly did not want to rock the boat and risk been taken home before he reached his dream destination.

At the park itself I would throw a ball and he would chase it and fetch it back to me.

At this stage I was living at home with my parents, however aged twenty two, I decided to rent my own bungalow near the coast in Devon. This was nearly two hundred miles away from my parents in home in Birmingham. This obviously meant I was no longer in the position to take Shandy on his walk.

I spoke to my parent, who reassured me that they would continue to take him on the walks.

Two weeks after I had left, I had a phone call from my mother. She was panicking, stating that Shandy had managed to escape from the back garden and that she could not find him. She insisted that she had been looking for hours but that there had been no sign of him.

I was quite worried and thought about where he may have gone to. "Have you been taking him on his walks to the park everyday?" I asked. She replied: "Most days" I asked her to try at the park, telling her that he loves that park etc. "He would not be there, its miles away." She said. I again asked her to try there. Luckily he was there quite happily sniffing around, unaware of the panic he had caused.

About the Author

Stephen Hill has a couple of websites at www.lasik-laser-surgery.co.uk and at www.stutter-stuttering.com.

Puppy Training
Puppies need to go to the bathroom after they play, chew, drink, eat or sleep. Start by putting them on a leash and tethering them to you. That way you can be aware of them when they start sniffing the ground (usually a cue the puppy needs to go potty). Pick them up and carry them outside. When they go potty, tell them "good potty" and give a cookie as a reward. Do not let your puppy off leash until they have finished going so they get into the habit of going potty, then playing. Many puppies will want to go outside just to play if you let them off leash first.

What if my puppy has an accident?
He will. Do not punish your puppy though. If you catch your puppy in the act then clap your hands or pick them up - this will make your puppy stop going. Get him outside FAST and let him finish up out there. Reward him for going outside. Clean up the mess with petzorb which will remove the odor completely.
Do NOT rub their nose in it, swat them with a newspaper, or isolate your puppy. It will only teach them to not go in front of you.

If your puppy is going frequently in the house you are probably not supervising them enough. Watch and learn their cues. If you feel you are watching and your puppy isn't getting it you can always have them checked for a Urinary tract infection.

If your puppy piddles when you greet them, this could be submissive urination. This would be a problem that is usually cured by ignoring the behavior and letting your puppy calm down before touching them when you first see them.

This article not only applies to puppies, but it is how you should train a dog of any age. If you can't supervise your dog, please put them in a crate to help curb accidents. Remember, dogs go where they go most!

This can be a trying time, so have patience and you will get through it.

About the Author

Amy Dunphy, CPDT is the owner and operator of the www.dogtrainersearch.comDog Trainer Search