Basset Hound

Character

The Basset Hound is originally a small game hunter. However, they are notable for their patient, calm nature. They are social, gentle and cheerful. Their balanced character goes well with calm children. A Basset likes company and picks up mood swings quickly. With his gentle temperament, he may not be a snappy guard, but he certainly warns you of danger by barking.

Appearance

A Basset has a shoulder height that is between 33 and 38 cm. Its hanging ears, long body and short legs are very recognizable. Its short coat is dense and smooth with a sturdy structure, making it weather resistant. Its stiff bristles repel water and dirt so it requires little maintenance. Bassets mainly come in the typical hunting colors. They usually wear a combination of three colors, eg black-white-white, white-red-white, but also black-white or brown-white. They are quite heavy dogs for their size. Their weight is on average between 20 and 30 kg.

Other particulars

Basset hounds have a reputation for being ideal tracking dogs. That’s not only because this breed is the companion of the main character in the detective series Columbo . It is their remarkably sharp sense of smell compared to other dogs that makes them so suitable for this. You can certainly train this dog if you allow him his ‘sniff moment’ every now and then. A Basset Hound has a tendency to overeat at times. So be sure to pay attention to too large portions and make sure he has enough exercise. Bassets live to an average of 12 years.