Basset Hound

Genetic Predispositions and Health

Basset Hounds can suffer from degenerative myelopathy and progressive rod-cone degeneration. Genetic testing for conditions such as primary open angle glaucoma, chondrodystrophy and intervertebral disc disease (CDDY and IVDD risk) with or without chondrodysplasia (CDPA), thrombopathia, and severe combined immunodeficiency, X-linked (XSCID) can assist veterinarians with diagnosis and proactive care, as well as help breeders identify affected and carrier dogs.

Personality and Behavior

Basset Hounds are known for their gentle, laid-back, and somewhat stubborn temperament. They are typically great with children and other animals, making them excellent family pets.

Bassets are not a high-energy breed, but they do require regular exercise to prevent obesity. It's essential to remember that Basset Hounds are scent hounds, and they can become distracted if they catch an interesting scent, potentially leading to selective deafness to commands. They can be serious barkers and tend to dig, further reinforcing the need for training and exercise to prevent these urges.

Scent Hound Lineage

A canine genetic lineage is a group of individuals or entire breeds that descended from common ancestors predating modern breed formation. Often these lineages are associated with a ‘type’ of dog with a unique historical working role and associated behaviors (e.g., herding, scent hunting, etc.).

Scent Hounds were historically used as hunting dogs. They were bred for their exceptional sense of smell, which is also a defining factor of this lineage of dogs. Scent hounds also have a distinctive bark which sounds more like a howl, this was developed to communicate with their hunters. Many breeds within this lineage were bred to work in groups, and have a strong pack mentality. Scent Hounds tend to have a stronger drive to follow their nose instinctually than their human counterpart. Scent hounds are also known for their endurance and stamina, these traits allow them to follow scents over long distances and for long periods of time.

Example breeds with ancestry from this lineage include Basset Hound, English Foxhound, and Dachshund.

Fun Facts

The Basset Hound’s long ears sweep scent from the ground up toward their noses.

In the French language, "basset" derives from the French adjective "bas", which means "low thing" or "dwarf". This part of their name speaks to how close this hound's body is to the ground.

The Basset Hound Club of America was formed in the United States in 1935.

References

https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/breed/basset-hound?page=1

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/basset-hound/

https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/basset-hound