Basset Hound Breed description: Character & Co

What is the origin of the Basset Hound?

The name of the breed already says a lot about its origin: the name Basset derives from French and means 'low running dogs'. "Hound" in English means as much as 'chasing' and suggests that this breed is a passionate hunter. In France, Bracken with short legs enjoyed great popularity. On the British island, however, they disappeared increasingly in the Middle Ages. And this despite the fact that already William Shakespeare allegedly described this dog in his work "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Experts assume that its ancestors were French Basset d'Artois. The founder of the breed is Lord Galway, who imported a pair of Bassets from France in 1866. A little later, Lord Onslow bought a whole litter and in the following years the Beagle was crossed in. Around 1890, a real storm began to sweep over the breed: By this time there were already about 2,000 Bassets, all of which resulted from only 20 parents. Since inbreeding caused massive health problems, the Bloodhound came into play. The breed became known for its numerous appearances in movies and television. Among other things, it assisted the inspector in solving tricky cases in the American television series "Columbo". In addition, a US shoe company used the breed as an advertising icon: since the 1950s, Hush Puppies have stood for wearing comfort and cosiness, which also distinguishes the Basset Hounds.

What are the breed characteristics of the Basset Hound?

Hardly any dog lover can resist the trusting look of a Basset Hound. The four-legged friend radiates calmness in every situation. Despite their short legs they are surprisingly manoeuvrable, although they are not as fast as other hunting dogs. With their excellent sense of smell, they were able to track down game even in dense undergrowth thanks to their small body size which lead to their reputation of being a talented bloodhound until this day.