Basset Hound
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2008-07-14T04:32:06Z
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Remove poorly written section about Basset Hound toys
{{Infobox Dogbreed
<!-- Put article text AFTER this infobox markup. See: -->
<!-- Wikipedia:WikiProject Dog breeds/Templates for more info.-->
| image = Basset Hound 600.jpg
| image_caption = Red and white Basset
| name = Basset Hound
| country = {{flagicon|France}} [[France]]
| fcigroup = 6
| fcisection = 1
| fcinum = 163
| fcistd = http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:R9RTtwba3MQJ:www.fci.be/uploaded_files/163gb98_en.doc+site:www.fci.be+%22163+/+05.+03.+1998%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
| akcgroup = Hound
| akcstd = http://www.akc.org/breeds/basset_hound/index.cfm
| ankcgroup = Group 4 (Hounds)
| ankcstd = http://www.ankc.aust.com/basset.html
| ckcgroup = Group 2 - Hounds
| ckcstd = http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/basset/bassetarticle1.htm
| kcukgroup = Hound
| kcukstd = http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/14
| nzkcgroup = Hounds
| nzkcstd = http://www.nzkc.org.nz/br412.html
| ukcgroup = Scenthound
| ukcstd = http://mail.ukcdogs.com/UKCweb.nsf/80de88211ee3f2dc8525703f004ccb1e/abd45993179ce22e8525704c00510c30?OpenDocument
}}<!-- End Infobox -->
The '''Basset Hound''' is a short-legged [[dog breed|breed]] of [[dog]] of the [[hound]] family.
They are [[scent hound]]s, bred to hunt rabbits by scent. Their sense of smell for tracking is second only to that of the [[Bloodhound]]. The name Basset derives from the French word "bas" meaning "low;" "basset" (-et attenuating suffix) meaning, literally, "rather low."<ref name="dictionary">[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/basset Basset definition]</ref>
==Description==
===Appearance===
[[Image:bassetthound_lucie.jpg|right]]
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! colspan="3" style="text-align: center; background:maroon" | <font color=white>'''Basset Hound appearance'''</font>
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| '''Build:''' || Short-legged; proportionally heavier in bone than any other breed of dog
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| '''Weight:''' || 50-65 pounds (23-29kg)
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| '''Height:''' || 12-15 inches (30-38cm)
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| '''Coat:''' || Short, hard and shiny, and sheds a lot despite the smooth coat.
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| '''Color:''' || Any recognized hound color is acceptable
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| '''Head:''' || Large and well proportioned
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| '''Teeth:''' || Scissors or even bite
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| '''Eyes:''' || Brown, soft, sad, and slightly sunken, showing a prominent haw
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| '''Ears:''' || Extremely long, velvety in texture, hanging in loose folds, low set, and when drawn forward, fold well over the end of the nose
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| '''Tail:''' || Never docked
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| '''Limbs:''' || Short, powerful, heavy
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| '''Feet:''' || Massive, very heavy with tough heavy pads
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|'''Life span:''' || Median 10-12 years
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[[Image:BuddyTheBassettHound.jpg|thumb|right|200px|]]
These dogs are around 36 to 38 cm (13 to 15 inches) in height at the [[withers]]. They usually weigh between 50-70lbs. They have smooth, short-haired coats but a rough haired hound is possible. Although any hound color is considered acceptable by [[breed standard]]s, 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), Honey And White (Honey Coloured Back, Light Brown Spotty Nose And Legs Light Brown Tails With White Tip) and lemon and white. Some Bassets are also classified as gray or blue; however, this color is considered rare and undesirable.
They have long, downward [[ears]] and powerful [[neck]]s, with much loose skin around their heads that forms wrinkles. Their [[tail]]s are long and tapering and stand upright with a curve. Some prefer that the tail be tipped in white. This is so they are easily seen when hunting/tracking through large bushes or weeds. The breed is also known for its 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, help trap the scent of what they are [[tracking]].
The Basset Hound is a large dog on short legs. They were originally bred by the French to have [[achondroplasia]], known as [[dwarfism]]. Their short stature can be deceiving; Bassets are surprisingly long and can reach things on table tops that dogs of similar heights cannot.
===Temperament===
The Basset Hound is often considered a friendly breed. Bassets are friendly and welcome the opportunity to make new friends. For this reason they are an excellent pet for families with children and other pets. 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". Bassets hate to be alone. Like [[Beagles]], Bassets can be excitable and may be when meeting someone new, especially other dogs.
[[Image:Tummy_rubs.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Basset Hounds enjoy human interaction]]
While Bassets love food and may be less energetic than some breeds, they will exercise regularly if given the chance. Bassets are very friendly with young children. Most Bassets enjoy activities that use their natural endurance, like long walks or hikes. They also enjoy tracking games that let them use their powerful nose. Listening is another skill they have due to their large ears increasing their hearing range. {{Fact|date=November 2007}}
Like other hounds, Basset Hounds are often difficult to [[Obedience training#Dog Intelligence and Training|train]]. Many Basset Hounds will obey commands when offered a food reward, but will "forget" the training when a reward is not present. Bassets are notoriously difficult to [[housebreaking|housebreak]]. Training and housebreaking are not impossible, however, and can be accomplished with consistency and patience on the part of the owner. Though basset hounds may be rather difficult to train, they are good problem solvers.
The breed has a strong hunting instinct and will give chase or follow a scent if given the opportunity. They should be trained in [[dog training|recall]]; failing that, they should be kept on a [[leash]] when out on walks.
Bassets might howl or bark when they want something or to suggest that they think something is wrong (like a storm is coming). They also use a low, murmuring whine to get attention, which sounds to many owners as though their Bassets are "talking." This whine is also used by the hound to beg (for food or treats) and varies in volume depending on the nature of the individual hound and length of time it has been begging.
==Pack hunting on foot==
[[Image:Ned.JPG|thumb|right|200px|]]
Hunting with Basset Hounds in a similar fashion as a fox hunt is common in the Mid-Atlantic States of Maryland, Virginia , New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Several private and membership packs exist in these locales. Hunting for cotton tails and [[hare]] is the quarry of preference. There were a number of Basset Hound packs in its original home of [[England]] when the hunting of hares (see [[Beagling]]) was made illegal by the [[Hunting Act 2004]].
Hunting a hound pack requires a staff which consists of a Huntsman and the Whipper-Ins who are responsible for order and discipline of the pack. A Field Master is in charge of the field (members of the hunt and guests) that follows behind observing the hounds work the covert. Most clubs will hunt in traditional attire of a green jacket and brush pants. Recognized clubs offer those members who have supported the pack the opportunity to wear colors on the collar to indicate rank in the club.
These packs are typically of English and French hound blood lines with a mix of AKC blood lines in some packs.
The National Beagle Club located at the Institute Farm in Aldie, Virginia approximately 50 miles west of Washington D.C. host spring and fall field trials for basset hounds. The competition held over a 4-day period with participating packs hunting in the traditional manner in braces of up to 1 hour and 15 minutes. The pack size for each competition varies, from 3 to 7 couple.
==Health==
Because of the extremely long ears of bassets they are prone to ear disease. If their ears are allowed to dangle on the ground or in food on a daily basis they are capable of developing chronic and potentially fatal ear diseases.
The only recent mortality and morbidity surveys of Basset Hounds are from the UK:<ref name="Cassidy Data">http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/breeddata.htm Dog Longevity Web Site, Breed Data page. Compiled by K. M. Cassidy. Retrieved July 8, 2007</ref> a 1999 longevity survey with a small sample size of 10 deceased dogs<ref name="British Owners">Michell, A. R., 1999. Longevity of British breeds of dog and its relationships with sex, size, cardiovascular variables and disease. Veterinary Record 145:625-629.</ref> and a 2004 UK Kennel Club health survey with a larger sample size of 142 deceased dogs and 226 live dogs.<ref name="KC Survey">http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/570 Kennel Club/British Small Animal Veterinary Association Scientific Committee. 2004. Purebred Dog Health Survey. Retrieved July 5, 2007 </ref>
===Mortality===
Median longevity of Basset Hounds in the UK is about 11.4 years,<ref name="Cassidy Data"/> which is a typical median longevity for purebred dogs and for breeds similar in size to Basset Hounds.<ref name="Cassidy Weight">http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/weight_and_lifespan.htm Dog Longevity Web Site, Weight and Longevity page. Compiled by K. M. Cassidy. Retrieved July 5, 2007</ref> The oldest of the 142 deceased dogs in the 2004 UK Kennel Club survey was 16.7 years.<ref name="KC Survey"/> Leading causes of death in the 2004 UK Kennel Club survey were cancer (31%), old age (13%), GDV (=bloat/torsion, 11%), and cardiac (8%).
===Morbidity===
[[Image:Picture058.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Basset hound who lost both eyes due to [[glaucoma]].]]
Among 226 live Basset Hounds in the 2004 UKC survey, the most common health issues noted by owners were dermatologic (e.g., dermatitis), reproductive, musculoskeletal (e.g., arthritis and lameness), and gastrointestinal (e.g. GDV and colitis).<ref name="KC Survey"/>
Basset Hounds are also prone to [[glaucoma]], [[luxating patella]], thrombopathia, [[Von Willebrand disease]], [[hypothyroidism]], [[hip dysplasia]], and [[elbow dysplasia]].<ref name="Basset Hound COA">http://www.basset-bhca.org/Health/healthpolicy.htm Basset Hound Club of America health pages. Retrieved July 19, 2007</ref>
===Care notes===
Basset Hound owners should take particular note of the prevalence of GDV ([[gastric dilatation volvulus]], also known as [[bloat]] or torsion) in this breed because this emergency condition requires immediate veterinary care if the dog is to survive.
Excessive weight in a long-backed, short-legged dog exacerbates musculoskeletal issues.
Long ears are prone to infection if not cleaned regularly. The pronounced [[nictitating membrane|haw]] of Basset Hound eyes can become dry and irritated.
===Significant crossbreeds===
A hybrid of a Labrador Retriever with a Basset Hound is known as the [[Bassetdor]] or Bassador.
Also, (one of the most popular) is the basset/beagle mix, and is known as the Bagle.
{{see|Dog hybrids and crossbreeds}}
==Training==
Training is a touchy topic when dealing with the Basset Hound breed. Gentle and patient training is the most effective form of training. Trainers must be persistent with this breed in order to achieve a well mannered dog. Bassets have a tendency to become stubborn by listening to their noses rather than their masters. Owners need to make the training process lively and entertaining to allow the Basset to learn more efficiently.
== Popular culture ==
[[Image:Halloween Hush Puppies.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Photograph of Halloween-themed Hush Puppies plush basset hounds.]]
In February 27th </span>[[1928]], ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19280227,00.html TIME Magazine Cover: Baby Basset Hound], TIME Magazine, February 27, 1928</ref> 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 [[Popular culture|pop culture]].
Basset Hounds have had prominent roles in [[Film|movies]] and [[television]]. Some Bassets have been featured in [[comic strip]]s and [[cartoon]]s. Examples include cartoon character [[Droopy Dog]], originally created in 1943 by Tex Avery, and Fred Basset, the main character in the comic strip ''[[Fred Basset]]'', created by Alex Graham in 1963. Basset Hounds playing more minor roles include [[Minor characters in Bloom County#Rosebud_the_Basselope|Rosebud the Basselope]] from [[Berke Breathed]]'s comic strip ''[[Bloom County]]'' and Lafayette, from the [[1970]] Disney film ''[[The Aristocats]]''. The notable webcomic [[PvP]] by [[Scott Kurtz]] occasionally features the author's pet Basset Hound. [[Rodney Dangerfield]] voices a Basset Hound in the [[animated feature film]], "[[Rover Dangerfield]]".
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Rosco.jpg|left|thumbnail|150px|[[Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane]] and sidekick, "Flash" from ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard]]'']] -->
Basset Hounds in films include Fred, the companion of Cledus in the 1977 movie ''[[Smokey and the Bandit]]'' and Gabriel, [[Batou]]'s Basset Hound in ''[[Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence]]''; Gabriel is in fact director [[Mamoru Oshii]]'s real life pet, and is included in many of his films. In a scene most likely referencing Smokey and the Bandit, a truck driver has a Basset Hound beside him in ''American Pie 2''. 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 (song)|Hound Dog]]" to a Basset Hound named Sherlock on "[[Steve Allen (comedian)|The Steve Allen Show]]" on [[July 1]], [[1956]]. One of the most famous Bassets on television was Flash, the dog owned by [[Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane]] in the 1980s TV series "[[The Dukes of Hazzard]]". A life-sized replica named "Flush" was used in dangerous situations. Other Bassets on television include Cleo from "[[The People's Choice (TV series)|The People's Choice]]", the Basset Hound named simply "Dog" from "[[Columbo]]", Henry from [[Emergency!]], Quincey, from "[[Coach (TV series)|Coach]]", Sam from ''[[That's So Raven]]'', Chips from "[[EastEnders]]" 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. Basset Hounds are occasionally referred to as "Hush Puppies" for that reason. The dog used in the photos was named Jason.<ref>[http://www.arnold-family.net/www/john/jason/index.html Jason's Hush Puppies Scrapbook]</ref> A Basset Hound also serves as the companion to the lonely Maytag Man in [[Maytag Corporation|Maytag]] appliance [[advertisement]]s. Tidewater Petroleum advertised its Flying A Gasoline using a Basset Hound named Axelrod. In the 1990's, a handsome red/white Basset Hound called SIGMUND featured in a several advertisements including one for Domestos bleach.
Finally, on ''[[Cory in the House]]'', Humphrey, the president's dog, is a basset hound, however Disney channel states it is a blood hound.
The breed has also had at least one notable role in a comic book series. This being Kirby, a basset hound in the [[PvP]] series based on the authors real life pet of the same name. Marcela C. owns a Basset Hound named Kandee.
==History==
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:basset_hound_beau_2.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The Basset Hound is known for its comical mannerisms and gentle disposition.]] -->
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Basset hound standing.JPG|thumb|250px|right||{{deletable image-caption|1=Tuesday, 26 February 2008}}]] -->Basset Hounds are a cross between the Bloodhound the [[Regular Artisien Normand]], and the [[Basset Artisien Normand]].
The first application of the word "Basset" to a breed of dog can be traced to ''La Vénerie,'' an illustrated text on hunting written by [[Jacques du Fouilloux]] in [[1561]]. Fouilloux illustrates wire-haired bassets resembling the modern Basset Fauve de Bretagne. In Fouilloux's treatise, bassets are used to pursue foxes and badgers to ground, after which the quarry is dug from its burrow and so reduced to possession.
Other early French Bassets closely resembled the [[Basset Artésien Normand]], which is still a breed today. The Basset Artesian Normand is one of the six recognized French Basset breeds. Originating in Artois and Normandy, it dates back to the 1600's. The Basset Artesian Normand looks like a Basset Hound, but lighter in weight. A short, straight legged hound, its body is twice as long as it is high. Its head is dome-shaped and powerful with hairy cheeks. The neck is slightly dewlap and the muscles are smooth with a moderate amount of wrinkles. The chest is round with clearly visible sternum. The coat is very short, bicolor: tan and white, or tricolor: tan, black and white. Breeders prefer white feet.
By the turn of the 20th century, the Basset Artesian Normand was developing into two distinct lines, straight-legged hunters and crocked-legged, droopy-eared companion and show dogs. French breeder Leon Verrier developed today's standard, which blends attributes of both varieties. The Artesian Basset needed straight legs that would neither hinder his speed nor drain his energy in order to work in unruly terrain, brush and briar. The breed was recognized in 1911.
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 France, basset hounds achieved noticeable public cultural popularlity during the reign of Emperor [[Napoleon III]] (r. 1852-1870). In 1853, [[Emmanuel Fremiet]], "the leading sculptor of animals in his day" exhibited bronze sculptures of Emperor Napoleon III's basset hounds at the Paris Salon.<ref name=article>"[http://www.bronze-gallery.com/sculptors/item.cfm?itemID=67&sculptorID=22 19th century bronze sculpture of 2 Basset Hounds by Emmanuel Fremiet]," ''The Bronze Gallery'', 2007. Retrieved [[30 March]], [[2007]].</ref> Ten years later, in [[1863]], the Basset Hound reached international fame at the Paris Dog Show. At that time there were two common Bassets, those with a rough coat (''Basset Griffon'') and those with smooth (''Basset Français''). The dogs were further classified by the length of their legs. The two popular Basset breeders at this time were ''M. 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 [[John Everett Millais|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. The current American [[breed standard]] was adopted in [[1964]].
In North America basset hound picnics and waddles are traditions in many regions and draw impressive crowds and participations from in some cases hundreds and thousands of bassets and their owners. For example, [http://fp.enter.net/~jhmitch/ The Allentown Basset Picnic] thrived for seven years before becoming Tri-State's Basset Freedom Fest in 2003. Other major annual basset hound events, including the Buffalo Basset Bash, the New Orleans Basset Boogie, and the Michigan Basset Waddle, share many similarities with North American food festivals and even crown king and queen basset hounds in a manner reminiscent of festival crownings of [[pumpkin queen|pumpkin queens]]. Of course, other traditions, such as deciding which basset has the best waddling butt or can keep a towel on its head the longest, are generally unique to basset hound picnics and waddles. These events also feature a wide variety of purchaseable and usually custom-made items depicting basset hounds and therefore play a role in raising money for basset hound rescue organizations and boosting local economies. Often featured at shows and festivals is a world-famous pack of performing basset hounds known as "The Happy Basset Hounds." The trio consist of Eleanor, Annabel and Buster, and they make their home in Texarkana, Ark. The act was formerly headlined by the celebrated Ernest T. Basset, now deceased.
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
{{commons}}
*Information
**[http://www.canismajor.com/dog/basset.html The Basset Hound Owner's Guide]
**[http://www.bassetsunlimited.com/medical.html Basset Hound Medical Issues]
*Breed clubs
**[http://www.bassetnet.com/ American Hunting Basset Association]
**[http://www.bassetklub.cz// The Basset Hound Club of Czech Republic]
**[http://bassethoundclubofnz.blogspot.com/ The Basset Hound Club of New Zealand]
**[http://www.bassethoundclubofcanada.ca/ Basset Hound Club of Canada]
**[http://www.basset-bhca.org/ The Basset Hound Club of America]
**[http://www.bassethoundclub.co.uk/ Basset Hound Club (UK)]
*Rescue Organization
**[http://www.barniatdaphneyland.org/ BARNI Basset Hound Rescue Network California]
**[http://www.ggbassetrescue.org/ Golden Gate Basset Rescue]
**[http://www.bassetrescue.org/ Guardian Angel Basset Rescue]
{{Hounds}}
[[Category:Dog breeds]]
[[Category:Scent hounds]]
[[Category:Dog breeds originating in France]]
[[Category:Dog breeds originating in Europe]]
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