The Basset Hound is a short-legged breed of dog in the hound family. The Basset is a scent hound that was originally bred for the purpose of hunting hare. Their sense of smell and ability to ground-scent is second only to the Bloodhound.
Basset Hounds are one of six recognized "basset"-type breeds in France. The name Basset is derived from the French word , meaning 'low', with the attenuating suffix -et—together meaning 'rather low'. Basset Hounds are usually bicolours or tricolours of standard hound coloration.
Description
Appearance
Bassets are large, short, solid and long, with curved sabre tails held high over their long backs. An adult dog weighs between . This breed, relative to its size, is heavier-boned than any other.
This breed, like its ancestor the Bloodhound, has a hanging skin structure, which causes the face to tend to have a sad look; this, for many people, adds to the breed's charm. The dewlap, seen as the loose, elastic skin around the neck, and the trailing ears which along with the Bloodhound are the longest of any breed, help trap the scent of what they are tracking.
Coat
The EM allele produces a black mask on the face that may extend up around the eyes and onto the ears. This pattern is most easily seen on mahogany dogs, although any Basset color pattern may express the EM allele, except for "red and white" or "lemon and white" due to e/e.
Temperament
The Basset Hound is a friendly, outgoing, and playful dog, tolerant of children and other pets.
Health
Ears
Basset Hounds have large pendulous ears (known as "leathers") that are very easily infected. Their ears are also very sensitive and do not allow air to circulate inside them, unlike other breeds with erect or more open ears. A Basset Hound's ears must be cleaned inside and out frequently to avoid infections and ear mites.
Short stature
According to the Basset Hound Club of America, the height of a Basset should not exceed .
The Basset Hound's short stature is due to the genetic condition osteochondrodysplasia (meaning abnormal growth of both bone and cartilage). Dwarfism of this type in most animals is traditionally known as achondroplasia. Basset Hounds, Dachshunds and Bulldogs are a few of the dog breeds classified as achondroplastic. This bone growth abnormality may be a predisposing factor in the development of elbow dysplasia seen in the breed, which leads to arthritis of the elbow joint.
Other health issues
In addition to ear problems, Basset Hounds may be susceptible to eye issues. Because of their droopy eyes, the area under the eyeball can collect dirt and become clogged with a mucus.
Basset Hounds are prone to yeast infections in the folds around the mouth, where drool can collect without thoroughly drying out.
Overweight Basset Hounds develop many serious health issues, including bone and joint injuries, gastric dilatation volvulus and paralysis.
The only recent mortality and morbidity surveys of Basset Hounds are from the UK: a 1999 longevity survey with a small sample size of 10 deceased dogs and a 2004 UK Kennel Club health survey with a larger sample size of 142 deceased dogs and 226 live dogs. See Mortality and Morbidity below.
Mortality
Median longevity of Basset Hounds is about 10.3 years in France and 11.3 years in the UK, which is a typical median longevity for purebred dogs and for breeds similar in size to Basset Hounds. The oldest of the 142 deceased dogs in the 2004 UK Kennel Club survey was 16.7 years. Leading causes of death in the 2004 UK Kennel Club survey were cancer (31%), old age (13%), gastric dilatation volvulus (11%), and cardiac (8%).
Morbidity
Among the 226 live Basset Hounds in the 2004 UKC survey, the most-common health issues noted by owners were dermatologic (such as dermatitis), reproductive, musculoskeletal (for example, arthritis and lameness), and gastrointestinal (for example, gastric dilatation volvulus and colitis). Basset Hounds are also prone to epilepsy, glaucoma, luxating patella, thrombopathia, Von Willebrand disease, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia.