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    Basset Hound: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet
    Basset Hound: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet
    Basset Hound: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet
    Ebook218 pages1 hour

    Basset Hound: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet

    By Barbara Wicklund

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    About this ebook

    Almost defines the term "couch potato" the Basset is a low-key favorite.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTurner Publishing Company
    Release dateMay 5, 2008
    ISBN9780470354933
    Basset Hound: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet

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      Book preview

      Basset Hound - Barbara Wicklund

      chapter 1

      What Is a Basset Hound?

      The Basset Hound: Avid hunter or couch potato? Melancholy or joyful? Playful or dormant? A picture of dignity or avowed clown?

      If you share your home with a Basset Hound, you already know that your pet is all of the above. The Basset Hound’s looks belie its personality at almost every turn. Often called the clown of the dog world, the Basset’s greatest joy comes in making family and friends laugh—unless, of course, he’s engaged in another favorite pursuit, like snoozing on the couch or following his nose in pursuit of a rabbit.

      As with most working breeds, the Basset Hound’s form relates directly to its function, although that form will differ to some extent from one dog to another. However, certain physical characteristics combine to define a dog as a Basset Hound.

      A Scent Hound

      An adept hunter, the Basset Hound is part of that category of dogs known as scent hounds, hounds who hunt by using their sense of smell rather man their vision. The Basset Hound nose is among the keenest of all breeds’—perhaps the keenest—enabling him to easily follow the scent of a rabbit or other quarry. The short legs are no deterrent to the Basset Hound’s agility. Despite their strange build, these hounds are capable of following a rabbit over all terrain, through thick brush, over logs and through streams (although they may tackle that last obstacle with some reluctance).

      The AKC Standard

      The Basset Hound is built to perform a specific task with optimum efficiency, and his appearance relates directly to his assignment. Designed as a low-slung trailing hound, the Basset Hound should possess great physical stamina in order to carry out his job in the field. Exaggeration of any of the typical Basset Hound characteristics can destroy the dog’s performance in the field and therefore should be avoided.

      WHAT IS A BREED STANDARD?

      A breed standard—a detailed description of an individual breed—is meant to portray the ideal specimen of that breed. This includes ideal structure, temperament, gait, type—all aspects of the dog. Because the standard describes an ideal specimen, it isn’t based on any particular dog. It is a concept against which judges compare actual dogs and breeders strive to produce dogs. At a dog show, the dog that wins is the one that comes closest, in the judge’s opinion, to the standard for its breed. Breed standards are written by the breed parent clubs, the national organizations formed to oversee the well-being of the breed. They are voted on and approved by the members of the parent clubs.

      With the breed’s origins and traditional activities in mind, The Basset Hound Club of America drew up the first standard for the Basset in this country. The American Kennel Club (AKC) ratified this standard in 1964, and it has served since then as the blueprint for the Basset Hound’s appearance.

      Ideally, every Basset Hound should live up to the standard of excellence adopted by the Basset Hound Club of America and approved by the American Kennel Club. This is the description of the perfect Basset Hound, and those competing in the show ring are measured against the standard. In the discussion below, italicized text is the official standard; the author’s commentary follows in regular text. (For a complete copy of the Basset Hound Standard, contact the American Kennel Club. See Chapter 13, Resources, for the address.)

      General Appearance

      The Basset Hound . . . is a short-legged dog, heavier in bone, size considered, than any other breed of dog, and while its movement is deliberate, it is in no sense clumsy. In temperament it is mild, never sharp or timid. It is capable of endurance in the field and is extreme in its devotion.

      The wrinkles on the Basset Hound’s head help him trap and follow the scent of prey.

      Although the standard does not specify the exact dimensions of the ideal Basset Hound, most breeders would agree that the height at the withers should be about three-fourths of the length from withers to tail. Those who tend to think of the Basset Hound as a small dog should reread the section above: heavier in bone, size considered, than any other breed of dog. In reality, the Basset Hound is a large dog on short legs, typically weighing anywhere from fifty to seventy pounds.

      HEAD

      The head is large and well proportioned. Its length from occiput to muzzle is greater than the width at the brow. In over-all appearence the head is of medium width. The skull is well domed, showing a pronounced occipital protuberance. The sides are flat and free of cheek bumps. Viewed in profile the top lines of the muzzle and skull are straight and lie in parallel planes, with a moderately defined stop. The skin over the whole of the head is loose, falling in distinct wrinkles over the brow when the head is lowered.

      The Basset Hound head should be large and well proportioned, of medium width with a well-domed skull showing a pronounced occipital protuberance. When the head is lowered, loose, distinct wrinkles should be evident over the brow. The elasticity and wrinkles help protect the Basset Hound’s skin from puncture wounds during field work. It is theorized that these folds of skin may also help the dog detect the scent of the prey.

      Long, velvety ears are a hallmark of the Basset Hound.

      The nose itself should be black, although a liver-colored nose is permissible if it conforms to the color of the dog’s head. The teeth should be large and regular, and the jaws should meet in either a scissors or an even bite. An overshot or undershot bite is considered a serious fault in the show ring, although it is not likely to interfere with a pet’s appetite or ability to chow down.

      The lips are darkly pigmented and are pendulous, falling squarely in front and toward the back, in loose hanging flews. The dewlap is very pronounced. The neck is powerful, of good length and well arched.

      The neck is particularly important to the Basset Hound’s ability to hunt. It should be sufficiently long to allow the nose comfortably to reach the ground and do its work. Too short a neck can strain the dog, thus impeding its progress in the field.

      The eyes should be soft, sad, and slightly sunken, showing a prominent haw, and in color are brown, preferably dark brown. A somewhat lighter colored eye conforming to the general coloring of the dog is acceptable but not desirable. Very light or protruding eyes are considered show ring faults.

      Without those spectacular puppy dog eyes the Basset would not be half as charming.

      Though his legs are short, the Basset Hound cannot be considered a small dog.

      The ears are extremely long, low set, and when drawn forward fold well over the end of the nose. They are velvety in texture, hanging in loose folds with the ends curling slightly inward. They are set far back on the head at the base of the skull, and, in repose, appear to be set on the neck. A high set or flat ear is a serious flaw.

      The ears are the hallmark of the Basset Hound’s appearance. However, though an integral part of the breed’s appearance, long ears should not be exaggerated. The ears serve a valuable function in stirring up the scent in the field, but they should not be so long as to interfere with the dog’s work.

      BODY

      The chest is deep and full with a prominent sternum showing clearly on the front of the legs.

      A chest of this style and fortitude gives the Basset Hound the stamina necessary for a full day’s work.

      Shoulders and elbows are set close against the sides of the chest. The distance from the deepest point of the chest to the ground, while it must be adequate to allow free movement when working in the field, should not be more than one-third the height at the withers of an adult Basset Hound.

      The Basset was bred to work long hours in the field, and must be an efficent mover and a hearty companion. This conformation helps the Basset Hound move with the utmost efficiency.

      Shoulders are well laid back and powerful. The forelegs are short, powerful and heavy boned, covered with wrinkled skin. The paw is massive, well rounded, and very heavy with tough, thick pads. Both feet should be inclined equally a trifle outward, balancing the width of the shoulders. The toes are neither pinched together nor splayed, with the weight. The ribs structure is long, smooth, and extends well back . . . allowing adequate room for the heart and lungs. The topline is straight, level and free from any tendency to sag or roach.

      The color and distribution of markings on a Basset are of no consequence.

      A rib cage of proper length provides support for the lumbar vertebrae, thus minimizing the possibility of the dog developing back problems.

      The Basset Hound also requires strong hindquarters to propel its heavy body through the field. Thus, the standard calls for hindquarters to be very full and well-rounded, approximately equal to the shoulders in width. Viewed from behind, the hind legs are parallel, with the hocks pointing neither in nor out. An apple-round rear is the phrase most often used to describe the ideal Basset Hound hindquarters. The tail is an extension of the spine with a slight curve, and should be carried gaily in hound fashion. The tail is the Basset Hound’s flag, signaling the dog’s location when working in heavy underbrush. Although most Basset Hounds have a white tip on the tail, making it easier to follow them in the field, the standard does not require this.

      SIZE

      The height should not exceed 14 inches. Height over 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulder blades is a disqualification.

      The average Basset Hound stands between twelve and a half and thirteen and a half inches at the withers (shoulders), and those standing more than fifteen inches are to be disqualified from the show ring.

      GAIT

      The Basset Hound moves in a smooth, powerful, and effortless manner. Being a scenting dog with short legs, it holds its nose close to the ground.

      Although the Basset Hound may at first seem clumsy, it should move in a smooth, powerful and effortless manner. Front and hind legs should be perfectly coordinated as the Basset Hound moves in deliberate, determined fashion.

      COAT

      The coat is hard, smooth and short, with sufficient density to be of use in all weather. The skin is loose and elastic.

      THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB

      Familiarly referred to as the AKC, the American Kennel Club is a nonprofit organization devoted to the advancement of purebred dogs. The AKC maintains a registry of recognized breeds and adopts and enforces rules for dog events including shows, obedience trials, field trials, hunting tests, lure coursing, herding, earthdog trials, agility and the Canine Good Citizen program. It is a club of clubs, established in 1884 and composed, today, of over 500 autonomous dog clubs throughout the United States. Each club is represented by a delegate; the delegates make up the legislative body of the AKC, voting on rules and electing directors. The American Kennel Club maintains the Stud Book, the record of every dog ever registered with the AKC, and publishes a variety of materials on purebred dogs, including a monthly magazine, books and numerous educational pamphlets. For more information, contact the AKC at the address listed in Chapter 13, Resources, and look for the names of their publications in Chapter 12, Recommended Reading.

      The Basset Hound’s loose skin renders him "puncture-proof in the field. The coarse, thick coat protects him from any weather. Any recognized hound color is acceptable, and distribution of color and markings is of no consequence. Recognized hound colors are black, brown and white, the shades of brown ranging from mahogany to lemon. Lemon is the palest color seen in Bassets, with red somewhere in the middle. Red and white and lemon and white Bassets usually display no black.

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