Basset Hounds – The Skinny On Those Cute Chubby Dogs
Excerpt : The Basset Hounds we all know and love today have bloodlines that descend from England in the middle-to-late 19th century. However, the Basset breed actually got its start (best as anyone who has
The Basset Hounds we all know and love today have bloodlines that descend from England in the middle-to-late 19th century. However, the Basset breed actually got its start (best as anyone who has delved into it can ascertain) much earlier, and in France, of all places. This was in the 16th century. Now, I know what you’re thinking… how can such a magnificent and flawless dog breed as the glorious Basset Hound have had its origins in France? I have to confess that it does makes things a bit more complicated for me emotionally, since I detest that snooty, has-been nation (kidding, sort of), BUT…
My love for Bassets wins out every time!
The AKC officially deemed Bassets ‘worthy’ in 1885 by recognizing them. I guess they didn’t realize that Basset Hounds are all BORN perfect and, thus, are beyond such trifles as being “recognized” by the almighty AKC (oooh!). But I’ve learned to forgive such human errors.
You may be wondering why French folks would concoct such a funny-looking dog breed. The answer is pretty boring, actually (as are most things French…ok, enough!). Nobles of that time liked to hunt. A lot. But the French countryside featured a lot of dense brush and
Buy this Art Print
thickets. The hunters’ prey (deer, rabbits, etc.) routinely escaped into nearby cover. Hunters didn’t like being stymied by mere animals.
Enter Monsieur Basset Hound (say it like this: Misssssssure Bass-ay Ound). Developing a dog breed that could smell and hear just about anything from one side of the nation to the other, and who would fearlessly bound into the thickest of brush, became essential. Being low to the ground made them more efficient hunting machines.
So, now you know why Bassets are funny looking. But isn’t the way they look the very reason why you find them adorable and huggable? *NOTE: If you do NOT find them both adorable and huggable, stop reading now. I mean it. Go away.
Basset Hound Characteristics
The name “Basset” is a play on the French word for ‘low’ – bas. The English, clever devils that they are, combined that word with the English word for how something is positioned – ‘set.’ Bas-set. Low set Hounds. Cool, huh?
Basset Hounds typically come in combinations of the following colors: brown, black, white, and red. So-called ‘tri-colors’ are the most common nowadays (brown, black, and white).
Quick! What’s the first thing
Buy this Art Print
that comes to mind when you visualize a Basset Hound? The long ears, of course! Do you know why they were bred to possess such ridiculously long ears? I do. OK, I’ll let you in on it. It was NOT primarily to improve their hearing (the common myth). It was all about picking up the prey’s scent.
Imagine if you walked with your head a foot or so off the ground all the time. Now imagine having ears that dang near dragged the ground. Ears flopping back and forth with every step. Besides never getting any dates, you’d also catch a whole lot more of every scent in the vicinity with those tremendous lobes.
For a hunting dog, a finely tuned ability to pick up faint scents equals success for the master. And now you know why Bassets have those trademark ears. You must promise to use this information only for good…never for evil.
The tale continues…
Basset Temperament
When you picture a Basset Hound’s daily activities, what do you see? Most people imagine a lazy, sprawling, sleeping and eating machine. And that’s pretty much right on target for most Bassets. Every now and then, some mutant Basset will spring forth who actually becomes delusional and thinks he’s a
Buy this Photographic Print
Also see :
Allergies in Dogs
Does your dog have allergies? It is interesting how dogs experience many of the health issues that humans do, including allergies.
Dog allergies...read more
Camping with Dogs-Ten Commandments
CAMPING WITH DOGS - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
In the U.S. alone, more than 30 million people each year take
their pets with them while camping. Yet,...read more
|
Jack Russell Terrier, all wired up and full of pep. But those types are few and very far between, thankfully.
In terms of getting along and playing well with others, Basset Hounds are among the best. It goes back to their breeding, again. They are pack animals by nature, so docility among the pack was an especially advantageous and much sought after characteristic. Yes, individuals will vary, but you have a much better than 50-50 chance at raising a low-key, unassuming pet with this breed. And this includes how he gets along with other pet dogs. Males and females share this trait.
There is a vicious rumor floating around about Bassets being hard to train because they’re stubborn and strong-willed. Slanderous! OK, actually, that’s true. But nobody’s perfect, and I bet you weren’t exactly the model child! So stop being so critical, miss or mister high-and-mighty.
Among Basset trainers, you hear this sentence a whole lot: “Bassets are easy to train, as long as you’re trying to get them to do what they wanted to do in the first place.” That’s as close to a truism as you’ll find in the dog universe. If you adopt a Basset with the intention of making an obedient little
Buy this Art Print
trooper out of him, prepare yourself for years of frustration. Be happy that he’s loyal and allows you to feed him and give him lots of toys. Enough said.
Some Basset Tips
First, you have to keep Basset Hounds on a diet pretty much from the time they’re grown until they pass away. This is much easier said than done, as any Basset owner will attest. They have faces that just beg to be given treats for any action, including waking up, looking around, yawning, and the other major accomplishments of a typical Basset’s day. Resist that urge!
Basset Hounds are naturally heavy, and it’s very easy to make it worse if you don’t stick to a pretty strict dietary regimen. Obesity in dogs leads to canine diabetes at an alarming rate (just like humans). This breed is particularly susceptible, so be careful. A daily walk is a terrific idea as well.
Staying with the health rant for another minute – clean your Basset’s ears often! Their huge size makes them ideal breeding grounds for all kinds of nasty little critters on the insides; and the outsides tend to collect dirt, food from bowls, and water (which turns the dirt and food remnants to a mushy mess). Not exactly
Buy this Art Print
hygienic.
Finally, never ever, under any circumstances, let a Basset Hound run around loose outside without a fence that is well maintained. They’re specialized hunters - bred to find their way into (and out of) tiny openings. And they’re intelligent. That’s a potentially lethal combination for your pet, especially if you live near roadways. A Basset believes he has the right to be in the middle of the road if the scent led him there. Vehicles be damned! No need to endure that kind of tragedy. Keep your Basset INSIDE (or at least behind a fence with no possibility of escape).
© John Schwartz
About the Author:
John Schwartz is a freelance writer and dog lover. He has written many published articles on subjects that include shopping for safe dog toys and supplies, improving pet health, and good dog training practices. Visit his website at http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com for more information.
Source: www.isnare.com
More Dogs Articles
Dogs - Health & The Vet
Having Healthy Pups: A Few Tips on Keeping Your Dog Healthy
The responsibility of a new pet is sometimes overwhelming. One
of your new duties...
Removing Matts on Dogs
Before I discuss the tricks used to remove matts on your dog I
must emphasize a few things. If your dog is badly matted or
the matts are close to...
Buy this Photographic Print
For Dog Lovers Like You and Me
|
sitemap
copyright yourdoginfo.com 2006
|
Recently Added Dogs Articles
Dogs In The Cartoons
America loves dogs in films and on television. We also seem to love dogs in the pages of the Sunday funnies and in animation. To list all of the...read more
Hollywood - Gone To The Dogs?
There is no question that people in America love dogs. One look at popular culture in our country will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that...read more
Parvo in Dogs
www.web-rover.com
What Is Parvo
Parvo is a serious viral disease that can be deadly even if treatment is given. So, to protect your...read more
The One Dog Trick That All Dogs Must Know - The Hand Shake Trick
The first dog trick that is generally taught a dog is to shake hands, and there are very few puppy and dog owners who do not teach their pets this...read more
Your Dogs Health - The Basics Every Dog Owner Should Know
Your dog is probably stronger and healthier than most humans
that you know. However, by taking him from his natural
environment, where only the...read more
.gif)
Dogs And Kids In Hot Cars
On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a shaded car is 90 degrees, while the inside of a car parked in the sun can reach 160 degrees in...read more
Dogs are Heroes
Heroism and courage are probably the most profound traits that endear dogs so deeply into the hearts and minds of mankind. Every day, humans all over...read more
Dogs - Vaccination Roles and Information
Vaccination and its Important Role in a Dog's Life
Active immunization is the introduction into the body of killed
or satisfied microorganisms...read more
Training Anatolian Shepherd Dogs For Livestock Protection
Anatolian Shepherds have been used as guardians for a wide range
of hoofstock and birds, including (but not limited to) sheep,
goats, horses,...read more
Warming to the idea of bodysuits for dogs
A big, macho dog named Kody was quite a sight, clad as he was in a bright blue bodysuit. I've never seen a dog coat like this. It fits the body...read more
Some News About Dogs
- Dogs Bite 3 People During Neighbor Dispute
Deputies said two dogs running loose in a Clark County neighborhood are now caged up, after biting three people. However, authorities believe the dogs were protecting their owner.
- Dogs rescued from Matteson garage fire
Three dogs were taken from a home Sunday afternoon while firefighters from Matteson, Frankfort, Richton Park, Flossmoor, Oak Forest and Park Forest battled a garage fire in the 21300 block of Kildare Avenue in Matteson, authorities said. "There was a lot of smoke," Matteson Fire Department Shift Cmdr. Jay Coburn said. The dogs' conditions were not immediately known. Coburn said the family took ...
- Dogs Hoarded In Montana Brought To Colorado
Nearly three dozen dogs will be up for adoption in Colorado soon after being removed from an unsafe home in Montana. It's the second case of hoarded animals being brought to Colorado in a week.
- Dogs turn 'doctors'
Beijing, Sep 6 : Ten dogs have been awarded the title of 'doctor' in China for their public welfare activities, such as spreading happiness in rest homes and children rehabilitation centres for those suffering from autism.
- Dogs strut their stuff at Sussex Hills Kennel Club dog show in Morris Township NJ
MORRIS TWP. — Nearly 900 dogs representing 133 breeds and varieties competed Sunday in the Sussex Hills Kennel Club's judging show at William G. Mennen Sports Arena.
- Dogs taken from hoarder arrive in Colorado
DENVER - More than 95 dogs were rescued from the home of an animal hoarder in Montana, and some of them hope to find new homes in the Mile High City.
- Dogs and friends raise money for animal shelter
EAGLE MOUNTAIN -- Friends in Need Stampede organizers had a healthy turn out at the Labor Day event in Eagle Mountain of 42 participants and nearly as many dogs raring to go on either the Furry Fun Ru
- Dogs rescued from Montana hoarder arrive in Denver
DENVER - Over 35 dogs from an out-of-state animal hoarder case arrived in Denver on Sunday.
- School bus brings dogs to their very own camp
Dogs get the run of a camp in Florida.
- Dillon's dogs work their magic at annual Marina Mutt Contest
DILLON - Dogs of all shapes, colors, breeds and sizes hung out with their owners Monday afternoon at the Dillon Marina. Why? For the Marina Mutt Contest, of course. And they worked their magic, looking extra cute with costumes, tricks and lots of love for everyone. As both a fundraiser for League for Animals and People of the Summit (LAPS) and an end-of-summer celebration, the dog-friendly Labor ...
|
