Animals >>
Basset Hound
Basset Hound Facts
| Common Name: Most widely used name for this species | Basset Hound Dog |
| Origin: The area where the animal first came from | Great Britain |
| Average Size: The average length (L) or height (H) of the animal | 35cm (14in) |
| Average Weight: The average measurement of how heavy the animal is | 27kg (60lbs) |
| Average Lifespan: The average time the animal lives for | 12 years |
| Group: The domestic group such as cat or dog | Hound |
| Colour: The colour of the animal's coat or markings | Tan, White, Red, Brown, Black |
| Average Litter Size: The average number of babies born at once | 8 |
| Temperament: The way the animal thinks, behaves or reacts | Gentle, peaceful and devoted |
| Training: The level of house-training needed for the animal | Should be trained in obedience from an early age due to their stubborn nature |
Basset Hound Location
Map of Europe
Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is often considered a friendly breed. For this reason they are an excellent pet for children. Bassets forget the training when a reward is not present. Bassets should be on a leash when out on walks.
Bassets might howl or bark when they want something or to suggest that they think something is wrong (like a storm is coming). They also use a low, murmuring whine to get attention, which sounds to many owners as though their Bassets are talking. This whine is also used by the hound to beg (for food or treats) and varies in volume depending on the nature of the individual hound and length of time it has been begging.
Because of the extremely long ears of Bassets, they are prone to ear disease. If their ears are allowed to dangle on the ground or in food on a daily basis they are capable of developing chronic and potentially fatal ear diseases.
In addition to ear problems, basset hounds may also have eye issues. Because of their droopy eyes, the area under the eyeball will collect dirt and become clogged with a mucus. It is best to wipe their eyes every day with a damp cloth. This helps to lessen the build up and eye irritation.
Basset Hounds can be on the lazy side and can become overweight on their own if allowed to. They need plenty of exercise and a good diet.
View all 65 animals that start with B.
Related Animals
Article Tools
View printer friendly version of Basset Hound article.
Learn how you can use or cite the Basset Hound article in your website content, school work and other projects.
First Published: 10th November 2008, Last Updated: 8th November 2019
1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals [Accessed at: 10 Nov 2008]
2. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia [Accessed at: 01 Jan 2011]
3. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals [Accessed at: 10 Nov 2008]
4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species [Accessed at: 01 Jan 2009]
5. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals [Accessed at: 10 Nov 2008]