The Basset Hound is a short-legged breed of dog of the hound family. The
Basset is a scent hound that was originally bred for the purpose of hunting
hare. Their sense of smell and ability to ground-scent is second only to that
of the Bloodhound. Basset Hounds are one of 6 recognised basset-type breeds in
France. The name Basset is derived from the French word bas, meaning
"low", with the attenuating suffix -et, together meaning "rather
low". Basset Hounds are usually bicolours or tricolours of standard hound
colouration.
Description
Appearance
Bassets
are large, short, solid and long, with curved sabre tails held high over their
long backs. An adult dog weighs between 20 and 35 kilograms (44 and 77 lb).
This breed, relative to size, is heavier-boned than any other.
This
breed, like its ancestor the Bloodhound, has a hanging skin structure, which
causes the face to occasionally look sad; this, for many people, adds to the
breed's charm. The dewlap, seen as the loose, elastic skin around the neck, and
the trailing ears which along with the Bloodhound are the longest of any breed,
help trap the scent of what they are tracking. Its neck is wider than its head.
This, combined with the loose skin around its face and neck means that flat
collars can easily be pulled off. The previous FCI standard described the
characteristic skin of the Basset, which resembles its ancestor the Bloodhound
as "loose". This wording has since been updated to "supple and
elastic".The looseness of the skin results in the Basset's characteristic
facial wrinkles. They drool a lot due to their loose flews.
The
Basset's skull is characterised by its large dolichocephalic nose, which is
second only to the Bloodhound in scenting ability and number of olfactory
receptor cells.
The
Basset's short legs are due to a form of dwarfism (see: Health). Their short
stature can be deceiving; Bassets are surprisingly long and can reach things on
table tops that other dogs of similar heights cannot. Because Bassets are so
heavy and have such short legs, they are not able to hold themselves above
water for very long when swimming, and should always be closely supervised in
the water.
Coat
The
short-haired coat of a Basset is long, smooth and soft, and sheds constantly.
Any hound coloration is acceptable, but this varies from country to country.
They are usually Black, Tan and White tricolors or Tan and White bicolors. Tan
can vary from reddish-brown and Red to Lemon. Lemon and White is less common
color. Any hound coloration is acceptable. Some Bassets are also classified as
gray or blue - this colour is considered rare and undesirable.
The
source of colour is the E Locus (MC1R), which has four alleles: EM, EG, E, and
e. The EM, E and e alleles are present in the Basset Hounds. The E allele
allows for the production of both red and black pigments, so is present with
the majority of colour patterns in Basset Hounds.
Red
and Lemon colours are caused by the e allele of MC1R. The e allele is
recessive, so red and lemon dogs are homozygous e/e. Lemon dogs are lighter in
colour than Reds, but the genetic mechanism that dilutes phaeomelanin in this
instance is unknown. No black hairs will be present on either Red or Lemon
dogs. If there are any black hairs, the dog is officially a tricolour.
The
EM allele produces a black mask on the face that may extend up around the eyes
and onto the ears. This pattern is most easily seen on Mahogany dogs, although
any Basset colour pattern may express the EM allele, except for "red and
white" or "lemon and white" due to e/e.
Many
Bassets have a clearly defined white blaze and a white tip to their tail,
intended to aid hunters in finding their dogs when tracking through underbrush.
Like
all dogs, the Basset Hound's coat is naturally oily. The oil in their coat has
a distinctive "hound scent", which is natural to the breed.
Temperament
The
Basset Hound is a friendly, outgoing, and playful dog, tolerant of children and
other pets. They are extremely vocal and famously devoted to tracking.
Health
Ears
Basset
Hounds have large pendulous ears (known as "leathers") that do not
allow air to circulate inside them, unlike other breeds with erect or more open
ears. Their ears must be cleaned inside and out frequently to avoid infections
and ear mites.
Short stature
According
to the Basset Hound Club of America, the height of a Basset should not exceed
14 inches or 36 cm.
The
Basset Hound's short stature is due to the genetic condition
osteochondrodysplasia (meaning abnormal growth of both bone and cartilage).
Dwarfism of this type in most animals is traditionally known as achondroplasia.
Basset Hounds, Dachshunds and Bulldogs are a few of the dog breeds classified
as Achondroplastic. This bone growth abnormality may be a predisposing factor
in the development of elbow dysplasia seen in the breed, which leads to arthritis
of the elbow joint.
Other health issues
In
addition to ear problems, basset hounds may be susceptible to eye issues.
Because of their droopy eyes the area under the eyeball can collect dirt and
become clogged with a mucus.
Basset
Hounds are prone to yeast infections in the folds around the mouth, where drool
can collect without thoroughly drying out.
Overweight
Basset Hounds develop many serious health issues, including bone and joint
injuries, Gastric Dilatation Volvulus and paralysis.
The
only recent mortality and morbidity surveys of Basset Hounds are from the UK: a
1999 longevity survey with a small sample size of 10 deceased dogs and a 2004
UK Kennel Club health survey with a larger sample size of 142 deceased dogs and
226 live dogs. See Mortality and Morbidity below.
Mortality
Median
longevity of Basset Hounds is about 10.3 years in France and 11.3 years in the
UK, which is a typical median longevity for purebred dogs and for breeds similar
in size to Basset Hounds. The oldest of the 142 deceased dogs in the 2004 UK
Kennel Club survey was 16.7 years. Leading causes of death in the 2004 UK
Kennel Club survey were cancer (31%), old age (13%), gastric dilatation
volvulus (11%), and cardiac (8%).
Morbidity
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