11 Fascinating Basset Hound Facts You Will Love
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With their floppy ears, docile nature, and iconic bark, the Basset Hound is a beloved breed known for their sense of smell. Beneath their friendly nature and prowess at tracking scents, though, they have a few secrets that not many people know about!
Basset Hounds have a rich history that’s filled with hunting alongside aristocrats and inspiring shoe inventors, and they are also one of the most popular dogs today. Here are 11 facts to prove how incredible this breed is.
The 11 Basset Hounds Facts
1. Basset Hounds Are Friends of the World
If you are looking for a guard dog, the Basset Hound isn’t the best choice. Although they can be incredibly stubborn, they’re also incredibly friendly. When they’ve been socialized properly as a puppy, they love to be around people and other dogs, whether they know them or not.
This friendliness makes them excellent companion dogs for families—even those with young children. Unfortunately for dog owners looking for a guard dog, though, this friendliness extends to intruders too. Your Basset Hound is much more likely to welcome a stranger into your home like an honored guest than they are to sound the alarm.
2. The Basset Hound Is the Second-Best Sniffer Dog
The Bloodhound is the best sniffer dog in the world, but the Basset Hound holds the position of second place. They were bred to focus on one scent and follow it, even amid distractions. With the right training, their keen dedication to following a trail makes them excellent partners if you’re interested in getting into search and rescue.
3. Their Ears and Wrinkles Help the Basset Hound Track Scents
It is not just their keen noses that make the Basset Hound such excellent trackers. Their entire body is designed for tracking scents.1
Like most hound breeds, the Basset Hound has long ears, as these are thought to be better at disturbing scents in the environment, enabling the dog to smell all sorts of things while they’re on the go, even odors that have long since settled.
The Basset Hound’s wrinkles serve a purpose too. Scents are caught and held in all the deep wrinkles on the dog’s face, so they hold smells close for longer.
4. The Basset Hound Originated in France
Basset Hounds were first bred during the 1500s by the friars of the Abbey of St. Hubert in France.2 The friars desired a hound with a short stature that could handle rough terrain and be kept up with easily by hunters who were on foot rather than horseback.
By crossbreeding older French breeds, the friars gradually perfected the ancestors of the Basset Hound. Their plodding gait made them perfect for slow hunts, and their keen noses ensured that they were well-loved for their tracking skills. The name Basset Hound comes from the French word “basset,” for “low.”
5. Basset Hounds Were Loved by the Aristocracy
Hunting has been a popular sport for aristocrats all around the world for centuries. In France, taking dogs along on hunts for deer, rabbits, and other game was common. Hounds in particular have always been favored for their loyalty to humans and their hunting skills.
The Basset Hound was favored by the aristocracy in both France and Belgium due to their stout body, plodding gait, and keen nose. Although they’re slower and more deliberate than taller hound breeds, the Basset Hound has always been a favorite companion for hunters on foot.
6. Basset Hounds Can Weigh Over 70 Pounds
They might be short and only stand at about 15 inches, but the Basset Hound isn’t a small dog by any means. Their short legs carry a large amount of weight. Female Basset Hounds usually weigh up to 65 pounds, and male Bassets have been known to weigh over 70.
Their weight is one of the reasons that Basset Hounds can be prone to developing back injuries. This risk is further heightened by the length of their body and how susceptible they are to obesity. Jumping onto and off things when their joints are still forming can cause damage too.
7. The Basset Hound Inspired a Shoe Brand
In the mid-20th century, Basset Hounds were the inspiration behind a new brand of shoes and are still associated with the brand today. First introduced in 1958, Hush Puppies were named after a popular food in the southeastern U.S.
The story goes that hounds, being naturally noisy breeds, were given deep-fried balls of cornmeal whenever their human companions needed their Basset Hounds to be quiet. These balls of cornmeal became known as “hush puppies.”
At the time, many people were suffering from sore feet due to uncomfortable dress shoes. Since the phrase, “my dogs are barking,” is also used to mean sore feet, the name “hush puppies” is a fitting one.
8. A Basset Hound Was Elected Mayor
In 2011, two dogs were elected as the first canine mayors of Concord, Ontario. Victoria, a Basset Hound, was elected alongside a Great Dane called Nelson. They were only in office for a year, but during that time, they both took their job seriously!
Although she was much shorter than her partner, Victoria was a loyal canine mayor of the city. Working alongside Nelson, she helped to raise money for the Concord Merrimack County SPCA, visited nearby towns, and took part in parades.
9. George Washington Is Believed to Have Owned Basset Hounds
Through the years, Basset Hounds have been the favorites of many notable figures. Before they became companion dogs in the U.S.A., they were bred by George Washington in the 1780s.
It’s well known that Marquis de Lafayette—a Frenchman and a friend of Washington’s—sent at least seven French hounds to the U.S.A. as a gift. Washington went on to cross them with American breeds to form the American Foxhound.
Many fans of the Basset Hound believe that a French Basset was one of the dogs that Lafayette gave to Washington. Unfortunately, there’s no evidence to prove this, but it still goes to show how well-loved these dogs are.
10. The Basset Hound Has a Deep Voice
Despite their size, Basset Hounds are renowned for their deep voice. They might be quiet inside the house surrounded by family, but they’re not shy dogs. Part of a hound’s job was to alert the huntsmen to the location of rabbits or other game animals. Their bark needed to be loud enough for the hunters to hear and locate.
As a result, the Basset Hound has a low bark with an almost musical quality that is impossible to mistake for that of another breed.
11. Older Basset Hounds Tend to Adopt Puppies
Basset Hounds were bred to work with others and have a strong pack-oriented personality due to this. Despite their growing popularity as family dogs, their friendliness toward other animals is still a powerful trait.
Many older Basset Hounds will adore a Basset Hound puppy if you bring one home. They will love their young charge so much, they will often adopt the puppy as their own. Your older Basset will take it upon themselves to teach your puppy what they need to know about life, such as tackling stairs and the best sleeping spots. They’ll even ensure that your puppy understands basic manners.
There is a downside to this, however. If your older Basset Hound isn’t well-trained, they’ll teach their bad habits to the puppy too. Proper obedience and socialization training are essential for both dogs.
What Are Basset Hounds Known For?
Descended from the St. Hubert Hound, Basset Hounds might be short and stocky, but their noses are among the best in the canine kingdom. These days, they’re known for their friendliness, adorably long ears, and deep resonating bark.
While they’re popular family dogs, though, the Basset Hound is a keen competitor in scent and tracking competitions. The breed is also used as service dogs or as working dogs for search-and-rescue and police K9 teams.
Is a Basset Hound a Good Family Dog?
While the Basset Hound started life as a scent-hound working in packs alongside human hunters, their friendliness and cheerful dispositions quickly endeared them to non-hunting families too. The breed is calm, dependable, and loyal, with a gentle nature that makes them well-suited for families with children and other pets.
As a pack-oriented dog, the Basset Hound does best with companionship. They hate being alone and prefer having a fellow Basset, another dog, or a human friend to socialize with. The breed can also be stubborn, particularly if they find a new scent more interesting than your training efforts. Experienced dog owners who are familiar with training are the best suited for this breed. You’ll need to offer patience, consistency, and high-value rewards.
Conclusion
Recognized for their floppy ears, short legs, long body, and loud bark, the Basset Hound is a friendly addition to any family. The breed is well known for their hunting and scent-tracking skills, as well as their friendliness, but there are a few interesting facts about them that not many people know. We hope that this list of incredible Basset Hound facts has shown you why these dogs are so great!
See also:
- Do Basset Hounds Shed More Than Other Dogs? Comparison & Tips
- Do Basset Hounds Smell More Than Other Dogs? Tips to Prevent Bad Odors
Featured Image Credit: Marry Kolesnik, Shutterstock
