Basset Hound facts
- The Basset Hound is a large dog with short legs
- The Basset Hound originated in medieval France and was a popular hunting dog.
- The name Basset is derived from the French word bas, meaning "low", with the attenuating suffix -et, together meaning "rather low".
- After the French Revolution (1789), the Basset Hound was a favored hunting dog because it was a slower moving hound that could more easily be followed on foot and was useful in tracking small game.
- The Basset Hound's sense of smell for tracking is second only to that of the Bloodhound.
- Life span Median 10–12 years
- Country of origin France
- Height 12–15 inches (30–38 cm)
- Weight 35–50 pounds (16–23 kg)
- Litter size 6 - 8 puppies
- Color tri-color, black and tan, red and white, honey/lemon and white and Blue/Gray
- Basset dogs are around 1-foot in height at the withers.
- The Basset Hound is one of the breeds that is more prone to becoming overweight and obese as it ages.
- Bassets have smooth, short-haired coats but a rough haired hound is possible.
- They are an excellent pet for children.
- Bassets have long, downward ears and powerful necks.
- Because of the extremely long ears of Basset Hounds they are prone to ear disease.
- Basset Hounds are a cross between the Bloodhound, the Regular Artisien Normand, and the Basset Artésien Normand.
- On February 27 1928, Time magazine featured a basset hound on the front cover.