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