Basset Hound

[Troy]

The Basset Hound

ANKC Standard

(from http://www.ankc.org.au/home/breeds_details.asp?bid=106 )

Group: Group 4 (Hounds)

General Appearance: Short legged hound of considerable substance, well balanced, full of quality. It is important to bear in mind that this is a working hound and must be fit for purpose, therefore should be strong, active and capable of great endurance in the field.

Characteristics: A tenacious hound of ancient lineage, which hunts by scent, possessing a pack instinct and a deep, melodious voice.

Temperament: Placid, never aggressive or timid. Affectionate.

Head And Skull: Domed with some stop and occipital bone prominent; of medium width at brow and tapering slightly to muzzle; general appearance of foreface lean but not snipy. Top of muzzle nearly parallel with line from stop to occiput and not much longer than head from stop to occiput. There may be a small amount of wrinkle at brow and beside eyes. In any event skin of head supple enough as to wrinkle slightly when drawn forward or when head is lowered. Flews of upper lip overlap lower substantially. Nose entirely black except in light coloured hounds when it may be brown or liver. Large and well-opened nostrils may protrude a little beyond lips.

Eyes: Lozenge shaped neither prominent nor deep set, dark but may shade to mid-brown in light coloured hounds. Expression calm and serious. Light or yellow eye highly undesirable.

Ears: Set on low, just below line of eye. Long, reaching only slightly beyond end of muzzle of correct length, but not excessively so. Narrow throughout their length and curling well inwards; very supple, fine and velvety in texture.

Mouth: Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck: Muscular, well arched and fairly long with pronounced but not exaggerated dewlap.

Forequarters: Shoulder blades well laid back; shoulders not heavy. Forelegs short, powerful and with great bone; elbows turning neither in nor out but fitting neatly against side. Upper forearm inclined slightly inwards, but not to such an extent as to prevent free action or to result in legs touching each other when standing or in action; forechest fitting neatly into crook when viewed from front. Knuckling over highly undesirable. Some wrinkles of skin may appear on lower legs, but this must on no account be excessive.

Body: Long and deep throughout length, breast bone prominent but chest neither narrow nor unduly deep. There should be adequate clearance between the lower part of the chest and the ground to allow the hound to move freely over all types of terrain. Ribs well rounded and sprung, without flange, extending well back. Back rather broad; withers and quarters of approximate same height, though loins may arch slightly. Back from withers to inset of quarters not unduly long.

Hindquarters: Full of muscle and standing out well, giving an almost spherical effect when viewed from rear. Stifles well bent. Hocks well let down and slightly bent under but turn neither in nor out and just under body when standing naturally. Some wrinkles of skin may appear between hock and foot, and at rear of joint a slight pouch of skin may be present, but on no account should any of these be excessive.

Feet: Large, well knuckled up and padded. Forefeet may point straight ahead or be turned slightly outwards but in every case hound always stands perfectly true, weight being born equally by toes with pads together so that feet would leave an imprint of a large hound and no unpadded areas in contact with ground.

Tail: (Stern) well set on, rather long, strong at base, tapering, with moderate amount of coarse hair underneath. When moving, stern carried well up and curving gently, sabre-fashion, never curling or gay.

Gait/Movement: Most important to ensure that the hound is fit for purpose. Smooth, powerful and effortless action with the forelegs reaching well forward and hind legs showing powerful thrust, hound moving true both front and rear. Hocks and stifles never stiff in movement, nor must any toes be dragged.

Coat: Smooth, short and close without being too fine. Whole outline clean and free from feathering. Long haired, soft coat with feather highly undesirable.

Colour: Generally black, white and tan (tri-colour); lemon and white (bi-colour); but any recognised hound colour acceptable.

Sizes: Height: 33-38 cms (13-15 ins) at withers

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Notes: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

See Photos of the Basset Hound

QUESTIONS

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

3. How common is it in Australia?

4. What is the average lifespan?

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?

9. How much grooming is required?

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

If you wish to contribute to the knowledge about this breed, please answer the above questions. (Copy and paste them into a new post).

• Please only answer if you breed or own a pedigree example of this breed.
  
• You do not have to answer all questions
  
• Please keep posts limited to answering questions or for asking further questions if you require more (or expanded) information.
  

See Photos of the Basset Hound

Basset Hound Breeders

Basset Hound Puppies For Sale

[baronbass]

QUESTIONS

1. What is my relationship with the breed? (ie breeder, first time owner etc)

A1. Basset lover first and formost, breeder and exhibiter for over 18 years.

2. Where and why was the breed first developed?

A2. Country of origin was France, then adopted and developed further in England.

3. How common is it in Australia?

A3 It is a breed that is common in the show ring, and there are many basset lovers in Australia.

4. What is the average lifespan?

A4. 8 to 12 years with the average being around 10 years old.

5. What is the general temperament/personality?

A5. Being a pack hound, they thrive on family envolvment, love children and are very playful. They are the clowns of the dog world, always making us laugh with thier antics.

6. How much daily exercise is needed for the average adult?

A6. Around a half hour is sutable for a adult Basset , for babies under one year old NO road walks or long walks, as growth plates can be damaged.

7. Is it a breed that a first time dog owner could easily cope with?

A7.Yes, as long as they have researched the breed and the special needs required. They are not a dog for everyone, they have a "houndy" smell, drool quite a lot, especially after

drinking, and care needs to be taken with stairs, jumping of lounges or beds, and swimming pools, as quite a few Bassets have drowned,

8. Can solo dogs of this breed easily occupy themselves for long periods?

A8. They can if they get other stimulation when you are at home, a bored Basset can bark and howl the house down. they have a very loud bark and howl.

9. How much grooming is required?

A9. Not to much, a good brush once or twice a week, nails trimed and ears cleaned weekly.

10. Is it too boisterous for very small children or for infirm people (unless the dog is well trained)?

A10, They can be, dont forget they are a LARGE dog on little legs Bitches around 26kg and Dogs around 28kg.)

11. Are there any common hereditary problems a puppy buyer should be aware of?

A11. Entropian of the eyes, which is repairable quite easily. Ear and skin irritations or infections the major two issues.

12. When buying a puppy, what are the things you should ask of the breeder? (eg what health tests have been done (if applicable) and what is an acceptable result to those tests so the buyer has an idea of what the result should be)

A12. Basset Hounds require no health testing, although l do test all my breeding dogs for Von Willebrands. You need to find a breeder that is long established, knows the breed well, a breeder that asks the buyer a lot of questions about thier lifestyle and the conditions the pup will be kept in. A breeder that offers continued support for the pups lifetime. If you can visit the kennels and view the dogs and temperament.

Hope this helps,if you need to know more please feel free to e-mail me about this wonderful breed.

Cheers, Cheryl

Edited September 30, 2009 by baronbass

[George147]

Hi I'm just after some advice for my 4 year old basset hound. We have just started seeing a new vet and she is wanting to do an eye lift on my basset to correct his "droopy eyes". Our last vet didn't have a problem with his eyes. Is this something we should consider or is the vet just trying to make some quick money??