| The Basset Hound makes a great pet for an | | | | emotional bond with her. Additionally, her |
| apartment as long as she can get plenty of | | | | outer ears hang low so they will get into her |
| walks. She needs the exercise and likes to | | | | food and water bowl and will need to be |
| follow scent trails. A better situation for | | | | cleaned. Additionally, the insides of her |
| her is access to a properly fenced in yard | | | | ears need to be cleaned with cotton balls and |
| with plenty of room, or better yet a farm. | | | | a solution recommended by your veterinarian, |
| She is great with children and people and | | | | regularly to help avoid ear infections. |
| will also get along with dogs and other pets. | | | | Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a |
| She is a shedder and she drools so be | | | | week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed |
| prepared to brush her and have a drool rag | | | | for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation |
| ready. She makes a wonderful, loving pet. She | | | | of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities |
| can be hard to housebreak and can be a bit | | | | (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog |
| stubborn about training. *Approximate | | | | periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of |
| Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two | | | | teeth, bad breath and other serious disease. |
| years old or older) of the male and female is | | | | Her toenails may need to be examined for |
| approximately 13 to 15 inches to the withers | | | | growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of |
| (highest point of the shoulder) and about 45 | | | | the rear feet grow slower than the toenails |
| to 65 pounds. *Special Health | | | | of the front feet. Generally a guillotine |
| Considerations. The Basset Hound must be | | | | type trimmer is the best for this chore and |
| carefully fed to avoid weight gain as this | | | | competent instructions to accomplish this can |
| can be very hard on her back and heart. She | | | | be found on the net. *Life Span. The |
| is generally a healthy dog but here are some | | | | Basset Hound can live between 10 to 12 years |
| possible health considerations. All dog | | | | with proper nutrition, medical care and |
| breeds have certain inherited health problems | | | | excellent living conditions. *History. The |
| associated with that specific breed and here | | | | word basset is French for meaning rather low, |
| are some concerns. Von Willebrands disease (a | | | | referring to the Basset Hound and her short |
| problem with blood clotting) Paneosteitis (A | | | | legs. The breed originating in France, |
| problem of lameness in some Basset Hounds, | | | | descending from the St. Huberts Hound, which |
| not unlike growing pains, they she should | | | | is similar to the Bloodhound. They were |
| outgrow). Allergies, especially to grass. Ear | | | | developed to be low in stature so they could |
| problems if the ears are not kept clean. | | | | trail game through thickets. They were |
| *Grooming. The Basset Hound has a coat which | | | | designed to flush out the rabbits and other |
| is short, hard and smooth with all weather | | | | game, but not to kill them. The American |
| density. She should be brushed at least | | | | Kennel Club first recognized them in 1885 as |
| weekly. She is a heavy shedder and brushing | | | | a breed. |
| will help keep your house free of shed hair. | | | | |
| Brushing will also help her maintain a clean | | | | Some Registries: *UKC United Kennel Club *NKC |
| and healthy coat and also help you keep a | | | | National Kennel Club *CKC Continental Kennel |
| closer eye on her health and strengthen your | | | | Club *APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc. |