The Basset Hound Can Still Be An Excellent Hunting Companion

The Wonderful Basset Hound is a Medium/Large dog that weighs anywhere between 45-75 pounds. Their height usually being 11″ to 15″. The Basset Hound is long and low and because of their build this makes their already short legs look even shorter. In fact, the Basset Hounds name comes from the French word “bas” which means low.

They are without doubt one of the most loving, patient and gentle dogs you could hope for which is one of the reasons they fit so well into family life. Coupled with their keen sense of smell and hunting instints you will also find them great hunting companions.

Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885, the usual colors for the Basset Hound are a variety of hound colors, but they are typically white with chestnut or sand colored markings. The fairly dense coat is short, straight, hard and smooth. Their coat is easy to groom and only requires an occasional brushing and shampooing.

This loving, gentle dog is ideal for family life. They are excellent and patient with small children, even if normal day to day life does not include children. They are affectionate with their family and love to be around them. Other dogs are never a problem for Bassets and neither are pets, although early socialization is good for non-canine pets because they might chase them due to their hunting instincts.

Basset Hounds love nothing more than lazing around the house just relaxing, which makes them an ideal dog if you live in an apartment. Having said that they do enjoy playing and require regular, exercise and time to run. If you don’t have a garden, then it’s important to make sure they are taken for a walk on a daily basis. It’s usually a simple task to train them, but if they are on the trail of a scent, they will not pay any attention to you. For this reason, a fenced in yard is best. Keep an eye on how much they eat as they can put on the extra pounds quite easily so giving them ample exercise is important.

The Basset Hound originated in France and dates back hundreds of years. Their ancestry can be traced back to the Bloodhound. Originally used as hunting dogs, the Basset Hound uses its excellent sense of smell to track animals. Nowadays you see them mostly as family pets, but they are quite capable of being the hunter and are still used as such in certain places.

Few breeds equal the Basset Hound’s gentle, forgiving, laid back nature. They are the ideal dog for busy family life and for those that just enjoy an occasional walk provided their Basset Hound can have daily outside time.

It doesn’t matter if you have toddlers, young children or other household pets, the wonderfull Basset Hound fits perfectly in to any home.