Basset Hound
General Facts :
The Basset Hound has a large head and a rounded skull with pronounced occiput. The muzzle’s plane is parallel to the skull’s top. The dog’s skin is loose fitted and falls in fold on the head. The ears are velvety, very long and should meet beyond the top of the nose. The Basset’s lips hand down with loose flews and the rather sad brown colored eyes show prominent haw. The dog has a rather kindly expression.
The dog has a short-sized coat that is shiny and hard with chestnut/sand colored markings. One of the sweetest and most devoted dogs in the world, they can adapt to the family life very easy. The Basset Hound has a friendly temperament that never indicates signs of viciousness or sharpness. Although the dog is known to be mild, he isn’t timid as many of you may think. Very good with children and affectionate with its master. These dogs enjoy doing tricks for food and aren’t capable of biting.
Origin :
The dog got its name from the French word “ bas ” which means low. A very old breed that descends from genetic dwarf dogs. The famous William Shakespeare made a remarkable description about this dog: “ ears which sweep away the morning due ”. The Basset Hound became famous in 1863 when it was first presented at the famous Paris Dog Show. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885.
Dimensions :
Height : Between 12 and 15 inches ( approximately 30 to 38 centimeters )
Weight : Between 50 an 65 pounds ( approximately 23 to 29 kilos )
Additional Information :
With proper training these dogs are obedient but when they pick up an interesting smell it is quite hard to get their attention. Regarding their health problems, these dogs shouldn’t be overfed because the extra weight places an uncomfortable load on the dog’s spine and legs. Although these dogs aren’t very active indoors they will accommodate to the apartment living but it is recommended to have at least a medium-sized yard where the dog can run and play.
The dog’s smooth and short-haired coat is rather easy to groom and shampooing should be done only when necessary. These dogs can hunt in packs or on their own and have a very developed sense of smell but their reflexes are somewhat slow. Their life expectancy is around 11 years.
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