Facts about Basset Hound
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The basset hound's name derives from the French word 'bas,' meaning low, referring to the breed's characteristically short stature.
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Basset hounds require hip and elbow screening through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals due to high rates of dysplasia affecting up to 28.4% of the breed.
- 10
Excessive drooling occurs in basset hounds due to their loose lip structure, requiring owners to maintain towels and bibs to manage saliva accumulation throughout the day.
- 09
Stubborn independence makes basset hounds notoriously difficult to train, as they were bred to hunt independently and often ignore commands when distracted by scents.
- 08
Basset hound puppies are born with eyes and ears closed, not opening their eyes until approximately 10 to 14 days after birth.
- 07
Basset hounds experience significant back problems due to intervertebral disc disease, caused by their elongated spine compressed into legs measuring only 5 to 7 inches long.
- 06
Basset hounds typically weigh between 40 and 65 pounds but stand only 12 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder, giving them an unusually squat body structure compared to most dog breeds.
- 05
A basset hound's sense of smell contains approximately 220 million scent receptors, enabling them to track scents on the ground from distances exceeding one mile away.
- 04
Drooping skin around a basset hound's face and neck produces excessive wrinkles that require regular cleaning to prevent infections and dermatitis.
- 03
Basset hounds were originally bred in France during the 1500s to hunt rabbits and hares, with their short legs designed to move slowly enough for hunters to follow on foot.
- 02
In 1884, the first basset hound breed standard was established in England, defining the breed's characteristic short legs and long body proportions.
- 01
Their ears can measure up to 12 inches long, making basset hounds among the longest-eared dog breeds in existence.