| Desription ......... The Basset Hound – the most popular breed of bassets – was bred in France. His usual prey are hares, which he chases with an enviable persistence, clumsily moving his short legs. He can turn to a run, but usually keeps a distance from the prey.
Despite a moderate height of 15 inches, the Basset Hound can weight up to 70 pounds, so he can be considered quite a big dog. For an owner who is not strongly built it may be impossible to lift this dog.
The Basset Hound has a perfect appetite, which can lead to a considerable gain in weight, if one does not give the dog enough exercise. Like all broad-chested dogs, the Basset Hound has a deep low voice. Those who encounter Basset Hounds for the first time are quite often surprised by the discrepancy between his voice and friendly temper. The Basset Hound has a lot of skin folds, especially on the back of the neck; one might think that the excess skin was meant for a bigger dog. The most remarkable feature of the Basset Hound may be his incredibly long ears, which are so long that he can step on them when walking. This frequently leads to ear injuries. In addition, the weight of the dog can prevent air circulation in the ear canal. Drooping eyelids can also cause problems.
When walking, the Basset Hound turns his forelegs inside out, which may also cause certain problems. His short, smooth coat is easy to keep clean and healthy, although he likes to get covered in something very smelly, for example in the cattle yard.
The Basset Hound is a perfect dog for those who need a family member with a very pleasing personality.
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