A breed of dog formerly used in France and Belgium for hunting; long, solid body, with very short legs; muzzle long and broad; ears long and pendulous; short-haired coat of white, black, and tan.
| Basset Hound | ||
|---|---|---|
| Red and white Basset | ||
| Country of origin | ||
| France | ||
| Classification and breed standards | ||
| FCI: | Group 6 Section 1 #163 | Stds |
| AKC: | Hound | Stds |
| ANKC: | Group 4 (Hounds) | Stds |
| CKC: | Group 2 - Hounds | Stds |
| KC (UK): | Hound | Stds |
| NZKC: | Hounds | Stds |
| UKC: | Scenthound | Stds |
The Basset Hound is a short-legged breed of dog of the hound family. The name Basset derives from the French word "bas" meaning "low;" "basset" meaning, literally, "rather low." Although any hound color is considered acceptable by breed standards, Bassets are generally tricolor (black, tan, and white), open red and white (red spots on white fur), closed red and white (a solid red color with white feet and tails), and lemon and white.
The Basset Hound is a large dog on short legs.
Temperament
The Basset Hound is a very calm and companionable breed. In fact, it is recommended that since Bassets are "pack" animals, if the Basset must be left alone on a daily basis during the daytime while the family is away, a second pet in the family will keep a Basset out of "trouble".
While Bassets love food and may be less energetic than some breeds, they will exercise regularly if given the chance.
Like other hounds, Basset Hounds are often difficult to obedience train. Many Basset Hounds will obey commands when offered a food reward, but will "forget" the training when a reward is not present.
History
Basset Hounds are an aristocratic breed of French lineage, a descendant of the St. Hubert's Hound, a dog similar to the present-day Bloodhound.
Early French Bassets closely resembled the Basset Artésien Normand, which is still a breed today though it is not recognized outside of France. Because many short-legged dogs from this time were called basset and record-keeping from this time was sparse, it is difficult to speculate which of these breeds have bloodlines in common with today's Basset Hounds. It is commonly believed that Marquis de Lafayette brought Basset Hounds to the United States as a gift to George Washington.
In 1863 the Basset Hound reached international fame at the Paris Dog Show. Lane and the Count Le Couteulx.
In 1866, Lord Galway imported a pair of Le Couteulx Bassets to England, but it was not until 1874 that Basset Hounds were widely introduced there by Sir Everett Millais. The Kennel Club accepted the breed in 1882 and the English Basset Hound Club was formed in 1884. The American Kennel Club first recognized Basset Hounds as a breed in 1885. In 1935, the Basset Hound Club of America was organized in the United States.
Health and care
In comparison to other breeds, the Basset Hound is an especially healthy breed, but there are some illnesses to which they may fall prey.
As Basset Hounds often overeat, feedings should be regulated to prevent weight gain.
Training
Training is a touchy topic when dealing with the Basset Hound breed.
Popular culture
In 1928, Time magazine featured a Basset Hound on the front cover. The accompanying story was about the 52nd annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden as if observed by the Basset Hound puppy. This prestige is often seen as the event which made the Basset Hound a popular part of American pop culture.
Basset Hounds have had prominent roles in movies and television. Basset Hounds playing more minor roles include Rosebud the Basselope from Berke Breathed's comic strip Bloom County and Lafayette, from the 1970 Disney film The Aristocats.
Basset Hounds in films include Fred, the companion of Cledus in the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit and Gabriel, Bateau's basset hound in Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence; Basset hounds are featured prominently in off-beat roles as well - one gets hit by a car and survives in The Rage: Carrie 2 and in the film Monkeybone a basset has its own nightmarish dream sequence. Finally, basset hounds appear in such other mainstream films as An American Werewolf in Paris, Nanny McPhee, and Spider-Man 2.
Television programs have used basset hounds as characters as well. In the early days of television, Elvis Presley famously sang "Hound Dog" to a basset hound named Sherlock on The Steve Allen Show on July 1, 1956. Other bassets on television include Cleo from The People's Choice, the Basset Hound named simply "Dog" from Columbo, Quincey, from Coach, Sam from That's So Raven and Socrates in Judging Amy.
Basset Hounds have also been featured in advertising. The logo for Hush Puppies brand shoes prominently features a Basset Hound. A Basset Hound also serves as the companion to the lonely Maytag Man in Maytag appliance advertisements. In the 1990's, a handsome red/white basset hound called SIGMUND featured in a several advertisements including one for Domestos bleach.
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