Basset Hound
A complete guide to the Basset Hound, covering its unique anatomy, health risks like osteochondrodysplasia, and a history of hunting on foot.
10 to 12.5 years is the typical lifespan, though this varies significantly by study and lineage. The breed's defining short stature, caused by a specific genetic condition, creates a unique set of health challenges that owners must manage proactively.
The Basset Hound is a short-legged scent hound developed in Great Britain from French breeds. Its primary historical purpose was hunting rabbit and hare on foot, a task requiring a dog slow enough to be followed by a person rather than a horse. Their sense of smell is second only to the Bloodhound, and their ability to ground-scent is exceptional.
Anatomy defines the breed
The Basset Hound is proportionally a large dog with short legs, weighing between 20 and 35 kg (44 to 77 pounds). Relative to their size, they are heavier-boned than any other breed. This unique structure is not a defect but the result of osteochondrodysplasia, a genetic condition that causes stunted growth and impacts movement.
Physically, they possess slightly crooked legs to support a broad chest and ribs, and a slightly curved tail held high above a long back. Their loose skin, particularly the dewlap around the neck, creates a characteristic sad expression. The long ears are functional, designed to stir up ground scent and direct it toward the nose. The coat is short with coarse hairs under the tail, appearing in tricolor, bicolor, red, or white patterns, but never in merle or brindle.
Health risks are structural
Because the breed's short stature is genetic, the associated skeletal issues are inherent. Osteochondrodysplasia leads to splayed hind limbs, enlarged joints, flattened rib cages, and deformed paws. Owners must be vigilant about joint health, as the heavy bone structure combined with short legs places significant stress on the skeleton.
Beyond the skeleton, the breed has a high predisposition to specific medical conditions. Gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat) is a leading cause of death, with one study finding the odds ratio to be 5.9 times higher than average. Cancer accounts for 31% of deaths, followed by old age and cardiac issues. Glaucoma is also prevalent, affecting 5.44% of the breed, caused by an autosomal recessive mutation of the ADAMTS17 gene.
Other common issues include yeast infections, allergic skin disease, intertrigo, and otitis. A hereditary thrombopathy, an autosomally inherited platelet disorder, affects clotting and is characterized by a defect in the Glycoprotein IIb-IIIa receptor. While the condition is detectable, it requires careful management during any surgical procedures.
Temperament and care needs
Despite their somewhat grumpy appearance, Basset Hounds are friendly, outgoing, and playful. They are tolerant of children and other pets, with a mild and extremely devoted nature that is not timid. Their devotion often manifests as a strong desire to be near their family, though their independent streak, inherited from their hunting days, can make training a challenge.
Care requires attention to their specific anatomy. The loose skin folds need regular cleaning to prevent dermatitis, and the long ears require frequent checks to prevent infections caused by trapped moisture and debris. Their short legs and heavy bodies mean they are not built for high-impact activities or jumping, and their exercise needs should be managed to protect their joints.
History of the low hound
The name Basset is derived from the French word bas, meaning 'low', with the suffix -et, translating to 'rather low'. The breed traces its lineage back to the 6th-century hounds of St Hubert of Belgium, which evolved into the St Hubert's Hound around 1000 AD. These dogs were originally large, slow, and short-legged, descended from the Laconian Hound of Greece.
The first written mention of a "Basset" dog appeared in 1585 in La Venerie by Jacques du Fouilloux. Until the French Revolution, short-legged dogs were highly valued for hunting on foot, as horseback hunting was restricted to the aristocracy. The modern Basset Hound was refined in the late 19th century in England by Everett Millais, who crossed a French Basset with a Bloodhound to create a heavier, more substantial dog. The breed standard was established in Great Britain at the end of the 19th century and updated in 2010.
While the breed has a rich history in hunting and has appeared in popular culture from Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" to the character Dog in Columbo, the reality of owning one is defined by their unique physical needs and the health conditions inherent to their distinctive build.