Basset Hound Dog
The super-friendly Basset Hound makes a fantastic family companion. They are incredibly loving and loyal with a laid-back nature and a nose for everything interesting.
Basset Hound At A Glance
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
| Temperament | A sweet-tempered breed that is devoted and very affectionate. |
| Suitable | A great family dog who adores children however it’s important to understand their history as scent hounds and small animals. |
| Health | A healthy breed however can be prone to some conditions that affect their health. |
| COMMON CLAIMS | MAXIMUM CLAIM |
|---|---|
| Anal Sac Disorder | $50.50 |
| Ear Conditions | $422.28 |
| Eye Conditions | $241.85 |
| Eye Conditions Other | $239.90 |
| Gastrointestinal Conditions | $319.00 |
| Ingestion of Foreign Body or Toxin | $2,790.31 |
| Muscle/Skeletal Condition | $143.95 |
| Neoplasia or Mass Lesion | $1,400.82 |
| Allergy/Infection | $484.80 |
| Skin Conditions | $1,853.53 |
*Pet Insurance Australia Data 2022/2023
Trainability
Like all scent hounds, the adorable Basset Hound has an impressive gift for sniffing out anything that comes of interest. This can lead to unsuccessful training sessions for the beginner. Patience and keeping your Hound interested is important, so training needs to be fun. Many owners will enlist their dogs in specialised scent training for this reason. But paired with the right handler, Basset Hounds have been known to excel in all areas of dog obedience and sports. They are very food-driven, however, be wary of only training with food as once the food is not there, your dog’s willingness may also vanish. Early socialisation with as many sights, sounds and experiences during puppyhood will help your pup grow into a well-rounded and happy dog. It’s important to remember that they are first, and foremost, scent hounds. So on-leash walking is paramount for safety reasons. Only allow your dog to run off-leash in a secured area. Once they pick up a scent they can be very focused and completely blank out the world around them.
Grooming The Basset Hound
The coat of the Basset is easy to maintain as it will repel dirt and water easily. A good rub with a rubber mitt a few times a week will help keep your pup’s coat in great condition. Bathing only when required to remove the excess oils that keep your dog’s coat naturally clean, which can emit a musky odour. If you do not like drooly breeds, this may not be the best breed for you. Regularly cleaning excess drool from your pup’s coat and face is important – as well as in all the wrinkles around the face. Keeping your pet’s ears in good condition is vital with this breed, they can be prone to infection so weekly ear cleaning is advised. Ask your vet how to best keep up with ear care for your Basset Hound. As with all dogs, having your Basset used to being touched on the feet, face and ears will make vet care easy. Early nail clipping is also recommended.
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Common Health Complaints – Basset Hound
The adorable droopy-eyed Basset Hound and known for their incredible sense of smell and sweet disposition. However, like all dog breeds, they have certain health issues that can affect the breed.
- Ear Infections: Those lovely long floppy ears common with the Basset Hound breed do come with some extra care. With not much airflow the breed can be predisposed to bacterial and fungal infections of the ear. Regular cleaning and checking are vital. Treatment includes medication depending on the cause of the infection.
- Hip Dysplasia: Due to their adorable size and abnormally shaped short legs the Basset Hound can be predisposed to Hip Dysplasia. A genetic condition where the hip joint and thigh bone misaligned leading to pain and lameness. Treatment includes surgery, weight management and physiotherapy. The condition can also lead to arthritis.
- Elbow Dysplasia: As with Hip Dysplasia Basset Hounds can also be predisposed to another joint issue known as Elbow Dysplasia. Leading to pain and lameness, correction is typically surgery, weight management and physiotherapy.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV or Bloat): a deep-chested breed who simply loves to eat, the Basset Hound is also prone to Gastric Dilatation -Volvulus or more commonly referred to as ‘bloat’. A life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists. Symptoms can include a distended/painful abdomen, restlessness, and distress. Bloat is a medical emergency and requires immediate veterinary attention. Surgery may be recommended to untwist the stomach.
- Obesity: Those loving eyes alongside the Basset Hound’s infatuation with food can lead to weight issues. Obese dogs are unhealthy dogs, who are much more likely to suffer from the other conditions mentioned here. A good balanced diet and reducing treats is vital. Obesity is treated with prescription diets and a good exercise regime.
- Thrombopathia: This is an inherited bleeding disorder that affects the body's ability to clot blood correctly. This can lead to excessive bleeding issues after injury or surgery. Close supervision and veterinary diagnosis, particularly before surgery, are paramount.
- Otitis Externa: An inflammation of the outer ear canal typically caused by allergies. The Basset Hound is prone to ear infections and ear-related issues due to their adorable floppy ears. Treatment includes medication to reduce swelling and pain and ear care. Removing or limiting the environmental allergen can also assist in treatment and recurrence.
- Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD): Breeds that have long backs are much more prone to IVDD – a spinal-related problem when the disc herniates or ruptures. This can lead to nerve damage and pain. In some cases, it can also cause paralysis. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment can include medication to reduce the pain and inflammation to emergency surgery.
- Hypothyroidism: A disorder of the thyroid gland that can lead to a variety of symptoms including weight gain, lethargy, hair loss and skin infections. Treatment includes synthetic hormones and veterinary management.
- Cherry Eye: Those droopy eyes can also cause a problem with some Basset Hounds. Cherry Eye is a condition that causes the third eyelid to protrude causing a ‘cherry-like’ bulge in the corner of the eye. The condition may require surgical correction.
Exercise Requirements
Regardless of their laid-back nature, the Basset will still require a good daily walk to keep in tip-top condition. They like a slow gentle walk where they can enjoy all the sniffs and scents the neighbourhood has to offer. Young Basset Hounds should be discouraged from jumping and running downstairs to protect their little legs. Ramps are a wonderful idea when it comes to this champion hound, particularly when getting in or out of the car. Their love for food and the laid-back life can lead to obesity. Daily walks and correct feeding are a must with this dog breed.
Intelligence
The Basset Hound is a very intelligent and independent dog. Because of this, it is important to allow him to stretch his natural love for sniffing and scents. This breed does not take well to long periods alone and will certainly let his presence be known. They have one of the most impressive barks in the dog world, and if left alone and bored for too long they will certainly attempt to let you know – even if you are miles away! Consider good boredom-busting techniques and adequate exercise. Your Basset will easily sleep the day away in the sunshine if they are not bored when they awake.
Family Friendly
Basset Hounds make wonderful family pets and will laze away the day watching children play. Like with all breeds is it incredibly important to teach your children how to correctly interact with a dog and teach your pup how to correctly play with your children. All interactions need to be supervised, particularly with very young children. Sitting cuddles are always best and never allow children to pick up the puppy. If socialised from an early age, the Basset will make sleeping companions with pets of all shapes and sizes.
Indoor/outdoor?
The Basset Hound makes a great apartment dog. They are laid-back and cruisey and enjoy an easy life. Do not leave your Basset alone outside for endless hours, they will, like all dog breeds become destructive and unhappy. Fences should be checked daily. If your wee pup grabs an interesting scent they may do anything possible to find and follow. Make sure your dog has adequate shelter during the summer and winter. This breed does not take well to the heat or the bitter cold.
Responsible Breeding
With all dog breeds predisposed to hereditary conditions good breeding is vital. Sourcing your new family member from a reputable breeding establishment will ensure your puppy is healthy. Ask all the important questions about hereditary conditions and ask to see Mum and Dad. Contacting your local breed club can also help you research your chosen breeder. Your breeder should have paperwork to show that they regularly test their dog line for common genetic diseases and to ensure that the dogs they are breeding from have sound temperaments. This process may take a little more time to secure a puppy, however, it can save you from an immense amount of pain that a sick puppy or dog will entail.
Contact PIA for Basset Hound Pet Insurance
PIA is a family owned pet insurance company for Australia, and we have a long and successful history of helping owners care for their Basset Hounds. Contact us today to learn more about our range of simple, flexible and affordable cover options.
