Basset Hound Care

The Basset Hound (BH): Short, fat, lazy, and peaceful. These "Hush Puppy Dogs" are known worldwide for their short legs and heavy bodies, their lackadaisical temperaments, and their friendly dispositions. And owners everywhere love their laid-back, sad-looking Bassets! Overall, Basset Hound care can take some work, and will include lots of coaxing of the dog to exercise, cleaning up of its drool, and making sure it doesn't overeat.

Below you'll find plenty of details on raising a Basset Hound: puppy care and development, exercise needs, diet and nutrition, and more are all covered here. For answers to all your questions about caring for a Basset Hound, read on!

Dogs of this breed are known to be somewhat lazy and prone to obesity--so while Basset Hound exercise requirements aren't at all extensive, they are very important in keeping these dogs healthy and happy. Though laid-back, BHs are quite social; they'll enjoy a couple of daily walks with their owners. And since they were originally bred to be pack hunting dogs, they'll also like activities that involve the company of other dogs.

Specifically how much exercise does a Basset Hound need? The typical adult BH, depending on its age and overall activity level, will need 30-45 minutes of proper exercise per day--which you can accomplish with a couple of short walks and a period of play. You can start exercising your BH puppy when it's three months old by taking it on very short (5-minute) walks, then you can increase the walks' length and frequency as the puppy grows.

A few precautions to consider when exercising your Basset Hound: first, puppies younger than a year old shouldn't participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running on hard surfaces, and navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing joints and bones. (Because of their heavy body mass and short legs, these puppies are especially prone to developing joint problems, so owners need to be sure not to overexert their BH pups. And regardless of age, a BH's short legs mean climbing stairs may always be an issue!) Also, Basset Hounds will need to be leashed when in public. These dogs have high prey drives and strong tracking instincts, so they're liable to run off if they see (or especially, smell) another animal; a leash will help you control your BH if it detects an interesting-looking critter. Even when exercising in your own yard, the area will need to be securely fenced to keep the dog from chasing potential prey. Another safeguard: BHs are prone to bloat, an often-fatal condition that occurs when air gets trapped in a dog's stomach when it "wolfs" its food; the condition often happens when the dog eats just before or after exercising--so it's best not to exercise your BH for an hour before or after eating. And finally: Basset Hounds are pretty low-energy, and may need some extra coaxing to exercise; this means they'll respond better to any exercises you do with them, instead of being trusted to exercise alone in the yard (in which case they're liable to find a shady spot and curl up for a nap!).

Precautions aside, it's extremely important to exercise your BH every single day. These easygoing dogs love to eat, and will quickly become overweight if not exercised consistently, which will lead to joint and breathing problems. So a fit, healthy Basset Hound is a happy one! A few exercise ideas:

• Walking: Two 15- to 20-minute walks per day is a good target
• Dog Park: If properly socialized, BHs enjoy the company of other dogs
• Fetch: Your BH will actually "chase" a ball or stick--just allow extra time for the dog to retrieve it!
• Canine Sports: These dogs can excel at tracking competitions and other events
• Hide-and-Seek: Great indoor, rainy-day activity; give the dog a healthy treat when it finds you

When indoors, it's a good idea to give your Basset Hound access to one or more balls or chew-toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy (which, in reality, it probably won't have much of). Another way to get the dog more enthused about exercising is to establish a regular exercise schedule, such as walks in the morning and evening and a play period in the afternoon.

In terms of shedding and drooling, these dogs need moderate to frequent care. Basset Hound shedding is fair and year-round, but can be controlled with brushing; Basset Hound drool is also a regular issue.

BHs have short-haired, smooth coats that shed moderately all year long. The good news, according to owners, is that the more often these dogs are brushed, the less they shed! You can brush your BH as often as you'd like with a bristle brush or grooming glove, but 2-3 times per week is a median amount. And hair cleanup--vacuuming the floors and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--may be needed from time to time.

And for the Basset Hound, excessive drooling is a frequent problem because of its hanging lips. BHs will slobber in anticipation of food, and they're usually messy when drinking water. Owners can keep old rags or towels near the dog's food and water bowls for cleaning up excess drool--and if your Basset Hound slobber is excessive, you can tie a bandanna or towel around the dog's neck to keep the dog's chest and neck from getting dirty and stinky from the drool.

This breed is known both for being low-energy and for having a big appetite--so weight control is the main concern with the Basset Hound diet. These dogs will need the proteins, carbs, vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids that all dogs require to sustain their health--but because of their potential weight issues, BHs need specified portions of those nutrients. This means that all Basset Hound food should be high-quality--and if it's formulated for weight control, even better.

"How much should I feed my Basset Hound to maintain its weight?" is a common question. And the quick answer: less than the dog wants! The typical adult BH, depending on its age, size, and activity level, will only need about 2½ cups of premium dry food per day, divided into two meals. Basset Hound puppy food portions, again depending on age, are a bit less: 1½ cups per day, divided into three meals (not two) until six months of age.

For more info about feeding these dogs from puppyhood through maturity, see this Basset Hound feeding guide:

*--Around this time, transition to adult food by first mixing in a bit of adult formula with the puppy formula. Over the course of a week, with each meal add a little more adult food to the mixture, until the dog is eating it entirely.

It's extremely important for BH owners to stick to the above-listed portions, regardless of how much the dog begs for more. Again, these dogs will easily become obese if constantly overfed (and under-exercised)--and a fat Basset Hound will have major joint, breathing, and digestive problems, not to mention a shortened lifespan. Several ways to control your BH's weight:

• Establish regular feeding and exercise schedules
• Do not feed the dog table scraps
• Feed only healthy or homemade treats (in moderation!)
• Don't leave food in the dog's bowl all the time; put the bowl down only at mealtimes

If you're worried your Basset Hound is overweight, it's best to consult a veterinarian. If the vet says your BH needs to diet, then you can reduce the dog's daily food consumption by one-fourth, and add an extra walk or play period to its daily exercise schedule.

With this breed's potential weight issues, the best food for a Basset Hound (puppy and adult dogs alike) is premium dry food, particularly the kind formulated for weight control. While more expensive and difficult to obtain, this high-quality food has balanced portions of nutrients your BH will need to maintain its health (and weight) in the long term. Owners should by no means feed their Basset Hounds cheap, generic food, because it contains mostly empty "filler" ingredients that are very fattening, are harder for the dog to digest, and will probably shorten its lifespan.

Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo, and Hill's Prescription Diet are three recommended brands that have excellent lines of dry food made for weight control.

Basset Hounds are best suited to living inside with their human family members. And with its low energy level, a Basset Hound in an apartment is fine--but note that when left alone, BHs tend to bark a lot, and their loud, braying howl may drive the neighbors crazy!

As to climate: BHs like mild temperatures, and don't handle extreme heat or cold very well--so it's best not to subject them to sweltering heat or frigid cold.