Are Basset Hounds Lazy?

Are Basset Hounds lazy? What does this dog breed look like in the first place? Where did it come from? How big does it get? What is its coat’s color? What is its overall mood for most of the time? Is it a healthy breed? How do you take care of it? What are the appropriate foods for such breed? How much exercise does it need to maintain its overall health? What about its behavior with children? How is it with other pets?

Those are some of the basic questions that you are definitely asking if you are considering getting a Basset Hound as a pet as well as any dog in general. Moreover, asking such questions already proves one thing: you are certainly a responsible pet owner. Obviously, you are trying to research first on the dog breed that you have an eye on which is, indeed, the best first step to take. So good job on that part! This blog post contains all the necessary information about the Basset Hound as well as some fun trivia about this dog breed. So make sure to stick around.

A Basset Hound is certainly a contender for the most popular and most loved lap dog ever! This dog breed which has a distinct look that makes it truly unforgettable takes being a companion dog to the next level. Its name is derived from the French word bas which means “low” and together with the suffix –et, the name Basset means “rather low.”  

Basset Hound: Appearance

A Basset Hound is widely known for its significant and charming look of a large and domed head with particularly long, downy ears combined with sad eyes and wrinkled brows. It’s said that the dog is representing a caricature of its self with its sad clown look resulting from its hanging skin structure. Moreover, the dewlap which is the loose and elastic skin around its neck is the longest of any breed along with the Bloodhound. Furthermore, a Basset Hound’s legs are short because of a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia. It also has heavy bones and is muscular too.

Basset Hound: Origin

A Basset Hound’s history can be traced back to France around the 6^th century and then later to Great Britain as far back to the late 1800s.

St. Hubert of Belgium, France bred his hounds from the Laconian or Spartan Hound which is a dog that has a connection to some Greek representations as well as descriptions. The breeding took place in the Benedictine Abbey of St. Hubert that was then eventually called as the St. Hubert’s Hound. Moreover, the purpose of the breeding was to create a hunting breed that can be used for small-game hunting. Consequently, the dogs that were developed through the said breeding are the ancestors of the Basset Hounds that we now know today.

This dog breed reached its peak of popularity during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III from 1852 to 1870. Furthermore, the Basset Hound finally gained international recognition through the first exhibition of dogs that took place in Paris back in 1863. Then at the early 1870s, basset Hounds started being imported into England. It was there where the first breed standard of the Basset Hounds we now know today was developed.

Basset Hound: Size

A male Basset Hound can stand as tall as 12 to 15 inches as well as weigh from around 55 to 75 pounds. On the other hand, a female Basset Hound can stand as tall as 11 to 14 inches as well as weigh from around 45 to 65 pounds.

Basset Hound: Coat

A Basset Hound has a short coat that is both smooth and soft. At the same time, its coat’s color ranges from black, tan, and white tricolors or can also be in tan and white bicolors. On the other hand, an extremely rare color is blue which is actually gray. Moreover, a Basset Hound sheds constantly. For this reason, people or pet owners with allergies should already put this dog breed off of their dream pets list. Brushing this dog’s coat weekly will certainly help with the year round shedding.

Basset Hound: Personality/ Temperament

The Basset Hound is certainly all things peaceful. You will truly never see one that has a bad temper. Moreover, this is the kind of dog that you can really have a “Netflix and Chill” bonding moment with because the dog is truly laid-back. On the other hand, it’s still alert that is just an innate characteristic of this breed.

For the main question which is “are Basset Hounds lazy?” the answer is, technically, yes. It is indeed inclined to be lazy because of a number of factors. First of all, its body structure, which is obviously naturally short and chubby, doesn’t really equate to a very active lifestyle. Next, their love for food is, without a doubt, on top notch! If left unattended, the Basset Hound may indeed become obese. For these reasons, this dog breed can really be lazy. On the other hand, to counter all of these, make sure to have a good diet and exercise plan for your dog. At the same time, use positive reinforcements such as toys, so it will be more motivated to play or just basically move around.

Basset Hound: Health

Every dog breed is more prone to specific diseases or health condition than the other breeds.

For the Basset Hound with a life expectancy of about 12 to 13 years, the health conditions that you should look out for are the following: patellar luxation, glaucoma, canine hip dysplasia, invertebral disc disease (IVDD), von Willebrand disease, cherry eye, gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), panosteitis, thrombopathia, and obesity.

• Patellar Luxation

This is a health condition characterized by the dislocation of a kneecap. For Grades II-IV patellar luxations, surgery is highly recommended.

• Glaucoma

This is a health condition characterized by an inadequate fluid drainage in the eye(s). This may certainly result into blindness if not properly treated. Treatments for this condition include drugs that will lower the pressure on the eye(s). Cyclocryotherapy is also a treatment option wherein it’s a process of draining the fluid and altering the fluid producing cells to avoid the buildup in the eye(s). In other cases, the eye(s) needs to be removed.

• Canine Hip Dysplasia

This is a hereditary problem characterized by the thighbone not fitting perfectly into the hip joint. Furthermore, this may lead to arthritis as time passes by. This can be dealt with using supplements, medications, as well as surgery.

• Invertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

This health condition is the bulging or bursting of the cushion discs between the vertebrae of the dog’s spinal column into the spinal cord space. Treating this can range from conservative treatments up to surgery, depending on the severity of the case.

• Von Willebrand Disease

This hereditary condition is a bleeding disorder resulting from a deficiency in a protein called von Willebrand Factor (vWF) which allows the blood to clot. It has to be dealt with or treated as soon as possible because it may cause excessive bleeding and eventually death. In addition to this, there is an available drug called DDAVP that may raise the dog’s vWF as well as other medications that can aid in the treatment of this disease. Of course, controlling the spontaneous bleeding is the main agenda of treatments. Moreover, avoiding situations where your dog can bleed will be of great help too.

• Cherry Eye

This is a health condition characterized by the slipping out of place or bulging of the gland in the third eyelid. This is seen as a red or pinkish blob. Moreover, this results to the weakening and movement of the connective tissue around the tear gland. Pushing the said gland back into its place is the first option of treatment and is also done with a local anesthesia. The other option is to remove the third eyelid which, on the other hand, isn’t highly recommended.

• Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV)

This life-threatening condition which is also called bloat or gastric torsion is a stomach that is distended with gas or air and then twists. This is especially common with older dogs as well as for dog breeds which are deep-chested. Once a dog inhibits signs that it’s suffering from a GDV, go to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Moreover, the said symptoms are drooling excessively, retching without throwing up, as well as being lethargic, depressed, and weak.

• Panosteitis

This health condition which is also known as Wandering or Transient Lameness is basically lameness that is mostly common with puppies. Moreover, puppies usually outgrow this ailment when they reach two years old.

• Thrombopathia

This is a blood platelet disorder that is sometimes found in Basset Hounds.

• Obesity

This is a health condition characterized by an accumulation of excess body fat. To combat this, which is most especially a serious case with long-backed breeds like Basset Hounds, fix your dog’s diet plan. Furthermore, you should also look at its exercise routine.

Basset Hound: Care/ Grooming

Caring for a Basset Hound includes taking note that it has a distinct smell common to hounds that is brought upon by its oily coat. Again, don’t freak out because that is normal. At the same time, it isn’t actually that bad. Take note also that they don’t need bath that much.

Furthermore, look more intently at their ears and facial wrinkles. It’s because their ears are so long that they reach the ground and get dirty. Consequently, clean the insides and the outsides thoroughly. Do the same with their facial wrinkles too. In terms of its teeth, brush them for at least two to three times a week or even daily if you prefer. Lastly, trimming its nails should also be part of its grooming routine. Trim those for once or twice a month.

Basset Hound: Feeding

A Basset Hound’s diet should be taken seriously because this dog breed is truly at high risk for obesity. Its main meals of high-quality dog food, which can either be commercially-manufactured or home-prepared, should be twice a day while treats must be in moderation.

Basset Hound: Exercise

A Basset Hound is an indoor kind of dog since it’s very calm and gentle. That is quite contradicting to the nature of its ancestors which were hunters, but indeed, Basset Hounds are your go-to lap dogs. For this reason, this breed doesn’t need too much exercise, but never ever let its laziness to get the best out of it since it’s prone to obesity. Without a doubt, “are Basset Hounds lazy?” is always a top question with regards to this breed, and the answer is always a big yes. Thus, opt to always follow through its daily walks and always do those with a leash, so your Basset Hound won’t wander around because of an intriguing scent that it just caught.

Basset Hound: Behavior with Kids and Other Pets

The Basset Hound loves kids so much! The thing that you should be worried about instead is if your kids will be able to take care of this dog properly. The Basset Hound will indeed be tolerable with small children’s antics. On the other hand, with other pets, they are able to have a good time with them since Basset Hounds are pack dogs.

Other Fun Trivia About the Basset Hound

• Basset Hounds don’t have a favorite person. They absolutely love everyone in the household.
• Without a doubt, it’s not a fan of barking.
• But it’s definitely a fan of snoring.
• A Basset Hound is the cover of Time magazine’s 1928 issue with a feature story regarding the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
• Many Basset Hounds appeared in animated Disney films.
• Elvis Presley sang “Hound Dog” to a Basset Hound named Sherlock on The Steve Allen Show.

Final Words

“Are Basset Hounds lazy?” Surely, this main question and the others have already been answered by this comprehensive Basset Hounds guideline that we provided.

The Basset Hounds are indeed excellent hunting dogs to the point that only the Bloodhound breed has a more superior sense of smell than them. At the same time, this dog is literally the dog version of “chill!” That is something that you will definitely see, not just with its looks, but also with its behavior and temperament in general.

If you are an aspiring pet owner and you are looking for a dog that you can count on for being extremely loyal as well as a great companion, pick this breed. Also, choose this dog if it’s certainly complementary to your personality and lifestyle in general. Well, without a doubt, it’s easy if you can just pick an adorable Basset Hound without even thinking, but you really have to ponder hard about the dog that you will choose to be your life companion. Indeed, that is a hard task because all dogs are extremely lovable, especially a Basset Hound. But regardless of your final choice, happy fur parenting!

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