Those long ears and sad eyes touched our hearts so much that he is one of those breeds almost as well known for what he sold - shoes and washing machines - as for his endearing personality. But anyone who loves him knows that behind that "hanging dog" expression is the soul of a clown. And while most bloodhounds might be a bit too much of a dog for many people, their short legs slow them down and their laid-back nature makes them wonderful family companions. Just make sure you're one of those people who thinks the classic dog howl is melodious, not cacophonous.
Traits, personality and behavior
His short-legged, long-backed silhouette is one of the most recognizable in the canine world and he is one of the most popular hunting dogs. Its particular combination of stubbornness (manifested by selective deafness and an apparent ability to sleep soundly when a human calls its name from four inches away) and sense of humor leaves its owners unsure whether to get angry or just give up and laugh. Hint: laugh.
Most Basset Hounds come in a combination of white, tan or black and have dark, expressive eyes, a wrinkled forehead and long, drooping ears. They are large, short-legged dogs weighing between 50 and 70 pounds. They need to be brushed every few days to keep shedding moderate to a minimum. Keep folds, ears and the area under slightly droopy eyes clean and dry.
He is never in a hurry to get anywhere, but his long history as a bloodhound has sometimes taken him under fences and open doors. He is a poor choice for backyard life, as he is deeply attached to his human family and will suffer and suffer if banished outside. More specifically, he will howl loud enough to be heard for miles.
This hardy dog loves children and makes a wonderful companion for them, although it is always best to supervise children and dogs. He is also almost always wonderful with other dogs and with cats. In fact, it's rare for a Basset Hound to have serious temperament issues unless you expect a lot of obedience.
The Basset Hound's long back is a weak area, so discourage him from jumping on sofas or you. And watch your waistline; He can suffer from a number of health problems that are exacerbated by obesity. He loves his food and isn't too proud to beg for it - or steal it. When he is older, he may find it impossible to climb even a single flight of stairs. If you can't lift a dog that weighs between 50 and 70 pounds, think twice about bringing a Basset Hound into a home with stairs.
Health Issues Share Basset Hounds
Your dog's breeder must have written documentation from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) that their dogs are free of gonioscopy, an eye abnormality that can lead to glaucoma. You must also have approval from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) that your puppy's parents have normal thyroid glands and that their hips and elbows are free of dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a genetic hip deformity that requires expensive surgery to repair and can lead to arthritis later in life. University of Pennsylvania (PennHip) hip certification is also accepted.
Dogs should also be genetically tested for thrombopathy by the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and undergo a von Willebrand factor antigen test, which can be performed by any veterinarian to screen for bleeding disorders common in Basset Hounds.
Basset Hounds suffer from a spinal problem known as intervertebral disc disease, which can affect any part of the Basset Hound's spine, including the neck. This condition makes even the smallest movement painful and difficult and may require surgery.
The Basset Hound's long floppy ears also make them prone to chronic ear infections. If left untreated, these infections can permanently damage the ear canal and even destroy your dog's hearing.
Bassets are more prone than many breeds to bloat, a condition in which the stomach twists and stops blood flow. Swelling and twisting come on suddenly, and a dog that was fine one minute can be dead a few hours later. Look out for symptoms such as restlessness and pacing, excessive salivation, pale gums and lip licking, attempting to vomit without speaking, and signs of pain. Bloat requires immediate veterinary surgery, and most dogs that have already been bloated will become bloated again. This means that it is advisable to opt for the procedure known as "stomach suturing" to prevent the stomach from twisting in the future. This procedure can also be performed as a preventive measure.
To protect yourself from the expensive vet bills associated with these conditions, you should purchasePet insurance for your Basset Houndbefore they show symptoms or are diagnosed.
| Illness | risk profile | diagnostic and treatment costs |
|---|---|---|
| entropy | hoch | $ 300- $ 1.500 |
| swell up | Quite | 1.500 a 7.500 $ |
| Stenosis | hoch | $ 200- $ 800 |
| IVDD | hoch | US$ 2.500 a US$ 7.000 |
6 Tips for Bringing Home a Healthy Basset Hound Puppy
Never, ever, ever buy a dog from a pet store. The Basset Hound's cute, sad face and popularity have made him a target for irresponsible breeders and puppy mills. If you choose to go this route, you are more likely to end up with an unhealthy, unsocialized, difficult-to-train pup and support the cruelty of high-volume puppy mills.
Make sure your puppy's breeder is a respected member of theBasset Hound Club of Americaand agreed to abide by the club's code of ethics, which prohibits the sale of puppies to or through pet stores or other third-party retailers.
Find a breeder who is willing—eager, in fact—to look into the health history of your puppy's parents and their close relatives and discuss the prevalence of these specific health concerns in their bloodlines. This oneCanine Health Information Center(CHIC) requires breeders to test all of their breeding dogs for various eye and bleeding disorders found in the breed.
Consider an adult dog from an animal shelter or rescue group. Many of the health and behavior problems in Basset Hounds are not obvious when they are puppies, but adopting an older dog can rule out most of them.
Puppy or adult, take your Basset Hound to the vet right after adoption. Your veterinarian will be able to identify visible problems and work with you to implement a preventative program that will help you avoid many health problems. Ask specifically about preventative ear care, as dogs with floppy ears are prone to infection.
Make sure you have a good contract with the seller, shelter or rescue group that spells out responsibilities on both sides. In states with "dog lemon laws," make sure you and the person you are getting the dog from understand your rights and remedies.
Pet Insurance for Basset Hounds
Basset Hound pet insurance costs more than mixed breed dogs. This is because Basset Hounds are much more likely than mixed breed dogs to make claims of hereditary conditions that are expensive to treat.
hugdog insuranceprovide complete coverage of all breed-specific medical conditions (excluding those that already exist) to which Basset Hounds are susceptible. The best time to get pet insurance for your Basset Hound is when he is a healthy puppy. You can't predict what will happen in the future, and pet insurance is the one thing you can't get when you need it most.