The name 'Basset' simply means 'low' - hence a dog that is low to the ground. Origin of the breed being French!

Character/Temperament:
Placid and affectionate. Most people consider the Basset Hound to be stupid, stubborn and disobedient but this is definitely not the case. They are highly intelligent and have learned that they can get away with 'murder' by just giving that sorrowful look! They won't do anything for just a pat on the head or the comment "Good Boy" - have been known to do obedience but they will have been fed some special treat during the training etc.,

Exercise:
Puppies need several weeks of training after entering their new home. After all, they will not have been away from their litter-mates and will definitely not have been lead trained. In many instances they have not been fully vaccinated so will not have been out on any roads, etc., although they will probably have been introduced to the car. A play in the garden is sufficient exercise for a young puppy.

After the first week the puppy should be introduced to a collar and within the next three to six weeks should be introduced to a lead. The puppy will be kept to the garden area of its new home. Once it has been fully vaccinated then it can be taken for very short walks of never more than 100m.

People must be aware of the fact that these will eventually be a very big dog on short legs that will be extremely powerful and strong when mature.

Puppies need to be introduced to new experiences and these new experiences should be treated like a game with the puppy being rewarded at the end of each session. The sessions should be kept short to hold the puppy's interest.

So the collar and lead training is completed in the garden. Once the puppy is fully vaccinated it can be introduced to new stimulus a little at a time. Never overwhelm a puppy by taking it out amidst very heavy traffic for its first experience of life outside the garden. Be sensible.

Bassets are a very slow maturing breed both from a physical and mental point of view.

Bassets should NEVER be allowed to jump on or off furniture or go up or down stairs.

Health:
Weekly checks of ears and teeth along with clipping nails is necessary, and definitely for a young puppy.

Checking the ears to ensure that these are clean and free from infection.

Teeth - to ensure there is no problem with the milk teeth coming out and the new teeth coming through. Also check for bee or wasp stings in the mouth.

Clip nails as these are not getting worn down. The dew-claw nails will always need attention.

There is a good book available from me that details Home Remedies for Dog and Cat owners and is full of useful information for problems that can be dealt with easily by things most people have in their home.

A Basset Hound is susceptible to all the same problems as any dog or cat - as regards external/internal parasites - fleas, ticks, lice, mites, roundworms and tapeworms.

Provided the Basset Hound is well fed, well groomed, well exercised, has a good homelife with plenty of loving companions, it should remain reasonably healthy.

However, I give below some problems that are causing problems in some breeds and may have occurred in this breed.

Bloat - or Gastric Torsion when the stomach enlarges rapidly because of gases. The Basset becomes very distressed and needs veterinary attention immediately as with the torsion (a twisted gut) the hound is in agony and needs an operation. If not treated the dog dies.

Cervical Spondylo-myelopathy (Wobbler Syndrome)
Problems with the spinal cord - a puppy will have difficulty in getting up and has a wobbly gait. Can sometimes be corrected with correct feeding.

Un-united Anconeal Process
Lameness in the front leg occurring at about five months of age. Problems with the elbow joint. An X-ray is taken to determine whether this has occurred and an operation is necessary.

Haematoma
Sometimes a Basset will damage an ear with a knock and will rupture blood vessels which cause swelling. An operation is necessary to drain the blood bringing the ear back to its normal shape.

Now I don't want to frighten any possibly buyers from purchasing a basset - apart from the haematoma - any of the other problems can apply to other breeds of dogs.

Bassets have been known to live a long and healthy life. We ourselves have had hounds living until they were 13/14 but have also had the hound that has died at 8/9 years of age. A friend's basset lived to be 16!

Grooming:
Being a short-coated animal a daily comb taking out the dead undercoat, followed by a good brushing and a wipe over with a hound glove or a chamois leather is all that is needed. Takes approximately 10/15 mins.

Home Environment:
Definitely not the breed for people out at work all day. Will howl if it is cold, hungry or lonely and most likely driven the neighbours to distraction. Puppies need four regular meals per day in the early stages - so someone needs to be there to ensure that they are fed and house trained from the very first few days. Need to get into a routine as quickly as possible. A Basset needs companionship, especially during its early formative months. Training needs to begin immediately it enters its new home. Bassets will chew, just like any other puppy, if they are bored and lonely.

In the words of an Author and Expert on the Basset Hound - anyone who wants to be owned by a Basset Hound will need the following:-

• A great sense of humour
• A placid and forgiving nature
• Stamina - if not equal to that of the Basset, then as near as possible.
• Preferably unlimited resources

I have lived with the breed for over 30 years and have been lucky to have had some good strong healthy animals, some of which went abroad and did exceedingly well for their new owners. With any puppy, as with a new baby, sensible care and attention is all that is needed.

Accidents will happen but will be few and far between if people take note of the information given to them by the breeders in their breeder's pack.

By the way the Book of Poetry is £4.95 - profits will be given to the Animal Health Trust.

I also have copies of "The Basset Hound Book" written by Marianne R Nixon, (the first book written by a well-renowned British Basset Hound Breeder) for sale.

In fact, the Lancs, Yorks & Cheshire Basset Hound Club has anything and everything for sale if it concerns the breed and people can get a price list by sending a stamped addressed envelope to me. Margaret Ledward