Basset Hound:

Known for its short legs and somewhat sad look on its face, the basset hound is a member of the hound family with an incredible sense of smell. While they’re considered a medium-sized dog, males may easily weigh over seventy pounds and female dogs may weigh between forty and fifty pounds.

With their smooth, short coats, basset hounds are typically tri-color (white, tan, and black), with low set ears. While their long tails often look like they’ve been dipped in a can of white paint, they are actually easily seen when roaming through large brush or forest areas.

Maybe it’s due the pensive look on its face, maybe not but this particular breed comes across being very calm and composed. This breed is very friendly towards strangers, in fact this could be viewed negatively if they’re too open towards unwanted guests. However, they interact extremely well with other children and other domestic animals. In fact, one trait is not being left alone: they love the company of others. Having a second pet in the home is a wise choice in particular for families who are not frequently home during the day.

They may seem lethargic since basset hounds are known to love food and may appear to be outwardly less outgoing, they do indeed like to exercise. This is up to the owner to make it a part of their daily regimen. The basset hound is known to enjoy long walks where it can utilize its strong sense of smell, often stopping to smell and discover new things along its path.

Keep in mind, however, its inquisitive nature makes it difficult to obedience train basset hounds. Plus, they’re difficult to housebreak. Both aspects are indeed achievable, but not without effort and patience. They frequently only respond when food is included as a reward; they won’t respond as well if there are verbal reinforcement cues. Since basset hounds have such an impeccable sense of smell they may often be distracted if they have the opportunity; what better time for them to be distracted than during training which they may not be paying attention to anyway?

In fact, they’re quite vocal. Instead of barking, basset hounds may frequently howl when they want something. They are known to be somewhat of whiners to get attention, often when begging for food or treats. It’s important for owners not to give in to their begging; often times basset hounds may become overweight. In addition other health problems of this breed which emanates from France include ear infections as their long droopy ears are susceptible to infections. They may also develop back pain which is not uncommon for long dogs on short legs. Plus, they may have issues with their eyes such as being susceptible to glaucoma. One of the most detrimental diseases is bloat which can sadly impact any dog at any time without any warnings.

For more information about the basset hound and other dog breeds click here.