| Basset Hounds: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Basset Hound personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Basset Hound, including these excerpts:
"Basset Hounds are among the most easygoing of all breeds.
Some are dignified. Most are clownish. Almost all are reliably good-natured and peaceful. At a dog show, one can count on seeing cheerfully wagging tails in the Basset Hound ring.
Stronger and heavier than you might think, the Basset Hound needs daily exercise to stay fit, even if he appears to be content snoring in front of the fireplace. Lazy owners have fat Bassets with concurrent health problems.
Outdoors, keep him on-leash or in a fenced area, for if he finds an interesting scent and launches himself, your shouting and arm waving will fall on deaf ears.
His reaction to strangers varies from friendly to polite. He is usually sociable with other animals.
Stubborn and slow to obey (expect thoughtful, deliberate responses), he can exhibit an amusing sense of humor while doing his own thing. Yet he responds amiably to patient obedience training that includes praise and especially food rewards.
Basset Hounds live for food, are champion beggers, and will steal any tidbit within reach - which includes countertops when they stand up on their hind legs."
History
A French scenthound descended from the Bloodhound, the Basset Hound trails rabbits, baying as he goes. His name comes from the French bas, meaning "low to the ground."
Size
11-15 inches and 45-75 lbs |
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Basset Hounds
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Looks unusual, with a long, low, but very HEAVY build
- Is one of the mildest-mannered of all breeds
- Needs only moderate exercise
- Is sociable with people and usually with other animals, too
A Basset Hound may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Slowness to learn and an independent "what's in it for me?" attitude toward training -- can be very stubborn
- Running away, oblivious to your calls, when an interesting scent catches his attention
- Slowness to housebreak
- Baying and howling
- Slobbering and drooling
- Heavy shedding
- A distinctive houndy odor
- Gassiness (flatulence)
- Chronic health problems
A Basset Hound may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Basset Hound... |
My major concerns would be:
- Stubbornness. Basset Hounds are not Golden Retrievers. They are independent thinkers who don't particularly care about pleasing you. Most Basset Hounds are very stubborn and can be manipulative. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
| To teach your Basset Hound to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Basset Hound Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Providing enough exercise. Basset Hounds don't need to run for miles, but they do need more exercise than the typical slow walk around the block that many owners give them. Basset Hounds who don't get enough exercise become obese, which puts stress on their bones and joints and causes more health problems. Basset Hounds MUST have regular opportunities to stretch their legs and vent their energy, if you want them to remain healthy and fit.
| Basset Hounds cannot be trusted off-leash. They will take off -- oblivious to your frantic shouts -- after anything that emits an odor or runs. |
- Housebreaking. Basset Hounds tend to resist being told what to do, and housebreaking is no exception. Expect four to six months of consistent crate training.
- Noise. Basset Hounds should never be left outside in your yard, unsupervised. Their deep voice carries a LONG way. The mournful baying and howling will have your neighbors calling the cops to report the nuisance -- or quietly letting your Basset Hound out of his yard so he'll wander away.
- Slobbering. Many Basset Hounds, especially those with massive jowls, slobber and drool, especially after eating and drinking.
- Shedding and houndy odor. For such a shorthaired dog, Basset Hounds shed much more than you might think. Their short coarse hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your clothing, upholstery, and carpeting. Also note that Basset Hounds have a distinctive "doggy" odor to their skin and coat that some people find offensive.
- Gassiness (flatulence) that can send you running for cover. Fortunately, Basset Hounds who are fed a natural diet of real meat and other fresh foods have much less trouble with gassiness. See my Basset Hound Health Page for more information.
- Chronic health problems. Because of overbreeding, poor breeding practices, and an unnaturally long heavy body, long ears, and loose skin, Basset Hounds suffer more than their share of bone and joint problems, ear infections, and skin disorders.
| Not all Basset Hounds are alike! |
- There are energetic Bassets, and placid Bassets.
- Hard-headed Bassets, and sweet-natured Bassets.
- Serious Bassets, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Bassets, and Bassets who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Basset Hound puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Basset Hound... |
There are plenty of adult Basset Hounds who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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