Basset Hound

Basset Hound grooming needs are fairly low compared to other dog breeds. Here are some tips for grooming your Basset Hound:

• Bathing: Their short, smooth hair is great at repelling dirt and water, so you can bathe them once a month unless they’ve tracked through mud or rolled in something yucky.
• Brushing: A good brushing with a bristle brush once a week will keep their coats shiny and clean and keep their moderate shedding under control.
• Ear cleaning: Don’t forget to check their ears. If you notice any debris, redness or swelling, speak to your vet. If your vet recommends at-home cleaning, here’s a vet-approved step-by-by guide to cleaning a dog’s ears.
• Nail trimming: Nails will need to be trimmed whenever you hear them clicking on hard surfaces, about once or twice a month.
• Dental care: Brush their teeth every day, and give them a good dental chew on the other days to help prevent dental disease and other health issues that can stem from tooth and gum infections. Be sure to have annual dental cleanings performed by your vet.

When you bring your Basset Hound puppy home, it’s a good idea to spend lots of time handling their ears, paws and mouth to get them used to it. Introducing them early to getting their fur and teeth brushed and nails trimmed will make these tasks less scary and easier once they’re fully grown.

As scent hounds, Bassets have an independent streak, and they get distracted easily when an interesting smell grabs their attention. You can’t really blame them—their scenting ability is second only to the Bloodhound. These traits are features rather than bugs when it comes to hunting and tracking, but they can make training a challenge.

Even so, these are smart and good-natured dogs who respond well to positive reinforcement training methods that use yummy-smelling treats, praise and special toys to keep them focused. Rewarding your Basset frequently for paying attention to you and for doing the things you like will help them learn how to behave in time. Keep training sessions short, and remember that it can be slow-going. Patience and consistent repetition are key.

It’s also important to socialize your puppy from the time you bring them home at around 8 weeks, and teach them to share by offering them lots of goodies so they won’t feel the need to guard their food or toys from people or other pets.

Basset Hounds do well with high-quality dog food formulated for their current life stage. Look on the packaging for a statement that says the food meets nutritional standards set forth by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to make sure you’re purchasing a complete and balanced product. There is no standard feeding chart, but your vet can help you determine the best food, serving size and feeding schedule based on your dog’s age, weight and activity level.

Basset Hounds love to eat, and leaving kibble out for them to “free feed” will put them on the fast track to obesity. It’s best to portion out their food into two or three smaller meals to help them stay lean and healthy. Be sure to factor the treats you give for training or otherwise into their daily calorie count so you don’t end up overfeeding them.

The Basset Hound dog’s low and long shape also makes them prone to back and joint problems. As they get older, adding a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement to their diet can help. Be sure to consult your veterinarian, as they will be in the best position to help you pick the right diet for your dog based on their individual needs.

Basset Hounds are fairly low-energy dogs whose exercise needs are met in about 20 to 30 minutes each day. Their long backs and short legs aren’t designed for running, so stick to low-impact activities like walking. If you’re looking for a jogging buddy or a dog who can keep up with you on hiking adventures, this isn’t the breed for you.

Bassets are not known for their speed, and although their physical exercise needs are low, their mental exercise needs are high. Intelligent, independent-thinkers, Basset Hounds do best with an outlet for their powerful tracking instincts. Considering signing up for tracking sports. (Check around to see if there are clubs or opportunities in your area.) At home, you can simply hide treats around your house and yard for them to sniff and find. Using a snuffle mat to feed them, like this one from PAW5, mimics foraging for food in grass and can help satisfy their nose’s need to hunt.

While this breed can adapt well to homes of just about any size, they do best in houses without a lot of stairs to climb. (Because of their unique shape, Bassets are prone to back problems. More on that in the Health section.) If you live in an apartment, you should know that Basset Hounds don’t just bark—they bay (often described as a deep, prolonged howl) loudly and often. For the sake of keeping peace with your neighbors, apartment-dwellers might consider another breed, especially if the walls are thin.

These dogs don’t appreciate being left alone for long and will be happiest if someone is around for most of the day or where another dog can keep them company. Properly socialized Basset Hounds get along great with kids and babies, as well as cats. While not overly social, their friendly and easy-going nature means they’ll do just fine when company comes over.

In general, Basset Hounds are excellent dogs for families who aren’t constantly on the go and don’t expect their dog to keep up with an active lifestyle.