Fast Facts: The Basset Hound
- The name Basset is derived from a French word, loosely translated to lowset.
- Originally bred as a hunting dog, its low stature allowed its masters to follow the chase for small game on foot.
- The Basset Hound has a good nose for scents, second only to the Blood Hound, and uses its long ears to stir up the trail.
- An adult male Basset Hound weighs around 29kg (65lbs), a female around 5kg lighter.
| Basset Hound at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Build: | Short-legged; proportionally heavier in bone than any other breed of dog |
| Weight: | 23-29kg (50-65 pounds) |
| Height: | 33-38cm (13-15 inches) |
| Coat: | Short, hard and shiny, sheds a little depending on ancestry. (e.g., hounds of Irish descent tend to have a thicker, slight curly coat in winter, which will lighten in the warmer months) |
| Colour: | Any recognized hound colour is acceptable, but generally:
|
| Head: | Large and well proportioned |
| Teeth: | Scissors or even bite |
| Eyes: | Brown, soft, sad, and slightly sunken, showing a prominent haw |
| Ears: | Extremely long, velvety in texture, hanging in loose folds, low set, and when drawn forward, fold well over the end of the nose |
| Tail: | Long, about half the torso length, and never docked |
| Limbs: | Short, powerful, heavy |
| Feet: | Massive, very heavy with tough heavy pads |
| Life span: | Median 10-12 years |
| Bone Density: | Bassets have very dense bones, greatly increasing their size to weight ratio |
