Basset Hound

Bred to work close to the ground, the Basset Hound is a short-legged scenthound built for tracking game on foot rather than at speed. Adults stand no more than about 15 inches at the shoulder, yet the breed carries a solid, heavy frame, and most weigh between 40 and 65 pounds. The signature long ears, loose skin and drooping eyes give the dog its famously doleful look, though the temperament underneath is calm and good-natured.

Few dogs can match the Basset's nose. Only the Bloodhound is generally rated ahead of it among scenthounds, and the long ears and folded skin are thought to help waft scent up toward the nostrils while the dog works a trail. Most Bassets today live as family pets rather than working hounds, but the instincts bred into them over centuries still show through: a Basset follows its nose on its own schedule and can be maddeningly slow to come back when called.

Patient and tolerant by nature, the Basset suits a household with plenty of comings and goings. The independence that made it a useful hunting dog can look a lot like stubbornness at home, so training calls for consistency and a fair bit of patience.

Who the breed suits

The Basset Hound suits owners after a low-key, affectionate dog who don't mind a slower pace. It gets on well with kids and other pets and copes fine in a unit or townhouse, provided it gets a daily walk. It's not the right dog for anyone after quick off-lead recall or a running partner, since the short legs, solid build and powerful nose pull it toward whatever it can smell on the ground. Owners should also expect some drool, steady shedding and a deep bark or bay.

The Basset Hound's roots lie in France, where short-legged scenthounds were kept for hunting on foot. The name comes from the French bas, meaning low, a nod to how close to the ground the dog stands. Hunters wanted a slow, methodical tracker they could keep pace with on foot, and the low build let the dog push through thick cover without losing the trail.

References to short-legged hounds appear in French writing as early as the sixteenth century, with the type linked to hunting kept by monasteries and country estates. These dogs tracked rabbit, hare and other small game at a pace a hunter could match without a horse.

British breeders took up the Basset Hound in the second half of the nineteenth century, crossing French and British lines and working to fix a consistent look and temperament. The breed found favour with sporting and show circles and was exported to the United States around the same period.

Over the twentieth century the Basset settled into life as a companion dog rather than a working hound, its calm nature and unmistakable look winning it fans well beyond the hunting field. It remains a recognised scenthound today: in Australia, pedigree Bassets are registered through Dogs Australia, the national body for pedigree dogs, and the breed's tracking ability is still tested in trials and field events.

The Basset Hound is longer than it is tall, with a deep chest, heavy bone and short, sturdy legs. Despite the modest height, the dense body gives the breed real substance and weight. The head is large, with a domed skull, long ears that droop past the tip of the muzzle, and loose skin that wrinkles over the brow. The eyes sit slightly sunken and give the breed its soft, somewhat sorrowful expression. The tail is carried up with a gentle curve.

Coat and colours

The coat is short, smooth and dense enough to shed water and shrug off scrub in the field. It lies flat against the body and needs next to no trimming. The classic pattern is the tricolour of black, white and tan, though black and white, lemon and white, and red and white all turn up too, and any recognised hound colouring is generally accepted. The skin is notably loose and elastic, and it gives the breed its folded look around the head, neck and legs.

The Basset Hound is calm, affectionate and easy-going, and it bonds tightly with its family. Its patience with children makes it a reliable choice for a busy household. With strangers it tends to be friendly rather than wary, so it's a poor watchdog in any protective sense, though its deep bark and bay will certainly announce visitors.

Bassets generally get on well with other dogs, and with cats and other pets if raised alongside them from early on. The breed worked and lived in packs, so it's a sociable dog that doesn't cope well left alone for long stretches; a Basset shut out of company for hours can turn bored or anxious.

The same independence that made the breed useful for tracking shows up at home as stubbornness. A Basset with its nose down a scent may tune out every command until the trail gives out, and it can be slow to respond once distracted. Owners tend to describe the breed as laid-back and good-natured but firmly opinionated. Patience and a settled routine get further than pressure ever will.

The Basset Hound is moderate work to keep, though the long ears and skin folds need regular attention to head off infection. The short coat sheds steadily and does well with a weekly brush.

Grooming

• Brush the coat weekly with a rubber curry brush or hound mitt to lift out loose hair
• Check and clean inside the long ears at least once a week to stop moisture building up and causing infection
• Wipe the skin folds on the face and neck to keep them dry and clean
• Trim nails every few weeks, since the breed isn't active enough to wear them down naturally
• Wipe drool from the lips and chest as needed
• Bathe every month or two, or whenever the dog gets grubby

Exercise

• Give the dog one or two moderate walks a day
• Keep it on lead or in a fenced yard, since a scent trail can override any recall
• Avoid hard jumping and stair climbing, which strain the long back and short legs
• Ease off strenuous activity in hot weather, since the heavy build overheats quickly

Environment

The Basset Hound settles happily into a unit or a house as long as it gets a daily walk and company. Its short legs and long back make stairs and jumping onto furniture risky, so a ramp or a set of steps helps protect the spine. The breed copes with a range of climates but struggles in extreme heat, and Australian summers can be particularly hard on a Basset given how hot and dry they run. A secure, shaded yard and fresh water matter as much as the walk itself, and because Bassets hunt by nose rather than speed, a secure yard or a lead is essential or the dog will simply follow a trail wherever it leads.

The Basset Hound should eat a complete, balanced dog food suited to its size and life stage. The breed puts on weight easily, being food-motivated and low in energy, and any extra kilos put dangerous strain on the long back and short legs. Measure out meals rather than leaving food down all day, and adjust the amount to keep a lean, visible waist. Fresh water should be available at all times.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to around 10 percent of daily calories at most, and subtract them from meal portions so the dog doesn't creep up in weight. Small, low-calorie treats work best for training. Joint supplements containing glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids may help support the spine and joints, but check with a vet before adding any supplement.

A Basset Hound typically lives 12 to 13 years, and the breed is hardy overall, though its distinctive build brings its own risks. The long back and heavy body put strain on the spine, the deep chest raises the risk of bloat, and the long ears and skin folds are prone to infection. Keeping the dog at a healthy weight is one of the most effective things an owner can do to cut these risks down.

Preventative care

• Keep the dog lean with measured meals and regular weigh-ins
• Clean the ears weekly and dry the skin folds to prevent infection
• Limit jumping and stair use to protect the spine
• Feed measured meals and avoid strenuous exercise straight after eating to lower the risk of bloat
• Keep vaccinations, parasite prevention and dental care up to date
• Book annual vet check-ups, twice yearly once the dog is a senior

The Basset Hound is bright, but it was bred to work things out on its own, so it doesn't take direction as readily as a more handler-focused breed. It can be stubborn and easily sidetracked by scent, and heavy-handed correction tends to shut the dog down rather than get it onside. Short, upbeat sessions with food rewards get the best results, since the breed is strongly food-driven. Recall is the biggest hurdle: once a Basset's nose is down, commands can go straight over its head, so lead work and a secure yard matter more than usual. Early and ongoing socialisation helps keep the dog confident and friendly.

Basics

1. Start with name recognition and attention using high-value treats
2. Teach sit, drop and stay in short five-to-ten-minute sessions
3. Build lead manners early, since the breed pulls toward anything it can smell
4. Practise recall in a fenced yard before trusting the dog off lead in the open
5. Crate train to give the dog a calm den and help with house training
6. Socialise with people, dogs and new places right through puppyhood

Basset Hounds reach sexual maturity somewhere between 6 and 12 months old, but responsible breeders hold off until the dog is fully grown, physically and mentally, usually around 18 to 24 months, before breeding from it. Health screening beforehand matters given the breed's known risks around the spine, hips and eyes, so breeding stock should be cleared for hip and elbow dysplasia and eye conditions before mating.

Gestation runs about 63 days. Litters tend to be moderate to large, commonly 6 to 8 puppies, though this varies. Given the breed's heavy build and large heads, whelping needs close supervision, with a vet on call in case anything needs intervention.

Newborn pups are blind, deaf and entirely dependent on their mother for the first weeks. Eyes open at around two weeks and weaning starts near the four-week mark. Early handling and gentle exposure to sights, sounds and people from a young age help build the calm, friendly temperament the breed is known for. Puppies usually go to new homes from eight weeks, once weaned and started on socialisation.

How to register a Basset Hound in Australia

Punch in your Basset Hound's name, his date of birth, and a decent photo, attach your mobile, and save. Done: a lifetime record that never bills you. Registering your dog is the easy half of responsible ownership, and the half people skip.

The vet does the implant and not one thing more; the register entry is yours. Register the microchip free on the lifetime plan: every brand an Aussie vet reaches for qualifies, moving house costs nothing to record, and the number stays searchable round the clock. Create your free account and sort the lot in one go.