The Basset Hound is believed to have developed from a "curiosity" in the sixteenth century. Apparently a mutation developed in the litters of stag hounds in France in which puppies were born with short legs. (The French word "baset" means "low-set". ) These mutated puppies were bred together and the short, long bodied Basset Hound was born.
The breed was introduced into Great Britain in the late 1800s and immediately became a favorite of Queen Alexandra's court. By 1886 there were more than 100 Bassets entered at a London Dog Show. In 1892 Sir Everett Millais, considered to be one of the main "founding fathers" of the breed in Britain, introduced the Bloodhound into the breeding, in part to guarantee against the inherent dangers which can be present in a small gene pool.
The Baset Hound remained popular in Great Britain for many years and was used regularly in packs of hounds which hunted hare. However world War I took its toll and the dogs became scarce. In 1921 the official Basset Hound Club closed its doors for lack of membership. The breed nearly became extinct but a small group of devotees managed to continue the lines and the Basset Hound club was re-established by 1954.
The numbers represented today in the American Kennel Club demonstrate that now the Baset Hound enjoys a large popular following in the United States. Much of this popularity is no doubt due to the use of the Basset as a "poster dog" for the "Hush Puppy" shoe advertising campaign.
The Basset Hound is a long and low to the ground breed, with a heavy boned and quite solid appearance. His chest is deep and broad, nearly touching the ground. His long ears and deep muzzle resemble in some respects the head of the Bloodhound and he is well known for having very nearly the same abilities of scent that the Bloodhound does.
He has a short dense coat which is easily kept and can be of any recognized hound coloration. His front legs are definitely bowed or crooked and he is quite short, his legs being often less than one third of his total height at the shoulder. He may have a tendency to back problems and this should be watched. Also this is a breed that will easily become obese if not kept well exercised and fed a proper diet.
The Basset Hound is first and foremost a scent hound and performs this function very well, having a large nasal capacity and long ears which serve to sweep the scent into his nostrils as he moves. Because of his hound instincts, he is not necessarily an easy dog to train, for often his nose will distract him from other activities his owner may wish him to perform.
He is generally placid, but stubborn-ness is one of his traits also. Like many dogs of the hound persuasion, he has a melodious baying tone when he vocalizes. He is a dog that should be trained early to come when called, as he can easily get carried away and follow his nose to wherever it takes him.
Have you ever thought of providing toys for your Basset Hound? Having dogs is just like having children. They almost have the same needs when it comes to care, attention and love. They should be well taken cared of in order for them to grow healthy and happy. Aside from providing right kinds of foods and proper grooming, every dog owner should also make sure that their beloved four legged friend is happy and is not bored and neglected.
Providing toys for your Basset Hound to play with is essential in keeping him entertained and happy. There are various types of toy dogs to choose from. There are chew toys, fetch toys, plush and stuffed toys, rope toys, kongs, interactive toys and toys good for dental health. Some toys are shaped like bone, some looks like a ball and some are just plain. Choosing which among these toys is very crucial since we all know that dogs can not directly tell their owners what they really like.
In choosing which among the many types of dog toys, experts suggest to give different types of toys. Then take note which among those toys he wants to play most of the time and if you notice that your dog is bored and wants something new, do give him a other set of toy. Just be sure that your dog will like these new toys.
Take note, you just can't give anything to your Basset Hound. There are many factors to consider when choosing what are the types of toys you are going to give him. Consider the size of your dog and the toy. Your dog might swallow and choke if the toy is too small for him. On the other hand, toys created for large breed may not be appropriate for smaller toys. If your dog loves to chew, he should not be given with toys that tear apart when chewed or wrecked into pieces when your dog bites it off. The toy should also be durable and easy to wash or clean.
If you think that a dog toy is not that important, think again! Toys are more than just something to play with when your dog is alone and bored. With the assistance of toys, training becomes easier and more successful. Toys also help in avoiding behavioral problems such as stress and anxiety. These behavioral problems, if not addressed immediately may lead to more problems like excessive barking and chewing.
To sum it all up, the toy for your beloved pet should be durable, easy to handle, entertaining and more importantly, it should be safe.
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Richard Cussons has sinced written about articles on various topics from Terrier Dogs, Boston Terrier Dogs and Terrier Dogs. Richard Cussons is not just a writer but also a great lover of dogs. Discover more about at this site dedicated to. Richard Cussons's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.