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Basset Hound Puppies for Sale: Long Back, Dumbo-Sized Ears, and a Big Heart
The Basset is not the only hound to have transformed from a proficient tracker to a beloved house pet. With its sorrowful eyes, long droopy ears, and stumpy legs, the Basset Hound for sale has proven more charming than others in its class. If you are looking for a devoted companion with simple needs, a Basset Hound is worthy of your consideration.
Overview of Basset Hound for Sale
The Basset Hound is a medium-large scent hound with one of the most recognizable features and a distinctive personality that come from a diverse background.
History
There are a few facts about the Basset Hound that might surprise you. Basset means short-legged in French. Basset Hounds come from France and Belgium, and there are five other Basset variants.
- Basset Fauve de Bretagne (Fawn Colored Brittany Basset) – short-backed for a Basset, wheaten or fawn, rough-coated(
- Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen – medium-length rough coat, white with red, lemon, black & tan, or black
- Basset Artesien Normand – like Basset Hound but smaller at only 33 pounds without the droopy eyes; fewer wrinkles
- Basset Bleu De Gascogne (Blue Gascony Basset) – 35 to 45 pounds; usually blue-ticked
- Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen – medium-length hair; 15 to 17 inches tall; white and tan, lemon, black & tan, grizzled, red, sable, or black
- Basset Hound
Bassets were bred with short legs to run close to the ground after hares. Developed in France, the Basset’s immediate ancestors actually came from Belgium. St. Hubert had hounds in the 500s that eventually became a distinct and specialized type by 1,000 AD. These hounds are believed to have originated during Greek times from the Laconian or Spartan Hound. They had Bloodhound forefathers and were selected for short legs so hunters could follow them more easily on foot. Regardless, France evolved the St. Hubert’s Hound in the 1580s into several groups of Bassetts. A cross between the Chien d’Artois (straight-legged variant referring to the forelegs) and the Basset Normand (crooked-legged type) was exported to England where breeders selected a heavy-boned dog. They subsequently backcrossed these dogs with the Bloodhound and French and English Bassets to obtain the modern Basset Hound. England drew up a formal breed standard around 1899. However, Basset Hounds had already entered the AKC in 1885, shortly after they started showing in England in 1880.
Appearance
When people refer to buying a Basset in the US, they usually refer to a Basset Hound for sale. Basset Hounds are a distinctive and highly recognizable breed.
Size
A Basset Hound is a medium-large dog. It is 11 to 15 inches tall at the shoulders and can weigh from 45 to 75 pounds.
Form
The Basset hound is disproportionately heavy in bone and all members of the breed exhibit dwarfism. The head is medium in width and substantial in size. A Basset’s muzzle is the same length as the back skull, and the stop is moderately pronounced. You will notice a pronounced dome shape on the back part of the head. The skin on the head should show marked wrinkling, especially when the dog has its nose lowered to the ground. Basset Hounds have sunken eyes with droopy lids that expose a large part of the haw, a rarely acceptable trait in dogs. The ears are exceedingly long and set both low and far back on the head. They should hand in loose folds. Your Basset Hound should have a long, well-arched powerful neck with a pronounced dewlap. The shoulders are sloping and match the hindquarters in width. The front paws turn out slightly, but the rear ones are straight. Your dog’s hind legs should be straight (no bowing) and well-angulated. Basset Hounds show marked shortening of their legs accompanied by a deep chest and elongated rib cage. The tail follows the natural curve of the spine and is carried upward. Basset Hounds, despite their low stature, have a level topline.
Coat and Colors
Although Basset Hound puppies for sale feel soft and velvety, adults have a hard dense water-repellant coat. It is rich with sebaceous gland secretions, giving Bassets their characteristic odor. Basset Hounds can be one of several colors and any pattern.
- Tricolor – black & tan (any shade of brown) with white, or blue & tan with white
- Red & white
- Lemon & white
- Tan & white
- Black & white
- Mahogany & white
- Blue ticked & white – blue ticking is an intermingling of black and white hairs
Personality
In typical hound fashion, bassets are outgoing and friendly, getting along well with children and other dogs. They are sweet, gentle, and laidback. Though loyal and affectionate with their owners, Basset Hounds also love attention from strangers. They make neither guard dogs nor consistent watchdogs. Basset Hounds have a distinctive baying bark and will howl if bored or lonely. Their size warrants supervision around small children. Bassets are one of the few hunting dogs that get along with most pets. However, you should avoid exposing your dog to rabbits or rodents as the temptation to regard them as prey might be too overwhelming.
Basset Hound Puppies for Sale Near Me
Once you have decided that a Basset Hound is for you, there are several factors that should influence your choice of a puppy or adult. If you adopt an adult Basset from a shelter or a rescue, the dog’s history may be unknown. However, she should have received a check-up from a veterinarian. Assure yourself that your new dog is clear of parasites or signs of disease. Some rescue dogs require rehabilitation, so you may acquire a dog that is thin or has behavioral issues. Puppies should be curious and eager to investigate newcomers. They should have bright and clear eyes, appear well fed, be clean, and show no evidence of diarrhea or nasal discharge. Reputable breeders will have preliminary vet examination results ready. They will likely have performed the first deworming treatments and set of vaccines. Those with AKC-registered dogs will also likely have select health certificates.
- OFA hips and elbows
- Thrombopathia
- Glaucoma – one form is detectable through genetic testing
- Thyroid gland
Miniature Basset Hound Puppies for Sale Near Me
Basset Hounds are not immune to the craze for miniature dogs. Mini Basset Hounds are occasionally called the Parva Os Lux Basset in an effort to designate them as a separate breed. Regardless of marketing tactics, mini Bassets are simply dogs that fall well below the breed standard in size. They are most often obtained by selecting smaller dogs through subsequent generations. Aiming for a double dwarfism gene tends to create a lot of structural deformities. Another way that fanciers can get miniature Basset Hounds is by crossbreeding Bassets with Chihuahuas or Pomeranians. However, such dogs introduce behavioral and structural traits outside those of purebred Bassets. If your heart is set on a Basset Hound, you will be disappointed by a hybrid.
Care
Basset Hounds do not require extensive care, but you need to take care that your dog does not gain excessive weight and does not jump from high surfaces. The Basset’s long back and short legs make it especially susceptible to spinal injuries.
Grooming
Except for some skin and ear challenges, a Basset’s grooming needs are straightforward. Its coat sheds the entire year, and it has a characteristic scent of sebum that does not wash off.
- Brush – once or twice weekly
- Check ears daily for redness, odor, or abnormal discharge
- Clean ears weekly
- Bathe every four to six weeks – skin conditions may require special shampoos every week
- Nail trim – every four to six weeks; may need the help of a professional as Bassets have large feet with thick nails
- Wipe face – every other day
Food
Basset Hounds have a voracious appetite. They require 26 to 30 calories per pound of body weight each day. Dogs that hunt in the field may require one and a half to two times that amount. Puppies need two to three times the calories of an adult. Like any dog, a Basset’s diet should consist mostly of animal proteins. Dogs also require fats and can also benefit from some carbs such as green vegetables, pumpkin, and berries. You may opt to feed your Basset Hound dry kibble, canned food, or a raw diet. Your veterinarian can guide you through commercial and homemade options. Breaking your dog’s food portions into two or more meals a day helps prevent bloat.
Exercise
Basset Hounds have moderate exercise requirements. Most can subsist happily on 30 to 45 minutes of daily exercise, with a third of it dedicated to strenuous running and playing. You can use the remaining time for casual walking and advanced training. Puppies should exert themselves less and expend more energy on training and socialization.
Training
As charming as your Basset Hound is, he needs to respect you for any training to be productive. Bassets are independent, like many scent hounds. They can easily become distracted by whatever they smell. Exercises that establish a bond between you and your dog will make your training sessions more productive. Otherwise, Bassets should begin their training as young as possible and need extensive repetition and rewards.