Basset Hound Puppy Dog Care

Your Online Guide to Caring For Basset Hound Dogs and Puppies

If you are consider adding a Basset Hound dog or puppy to your family, the US Dog Pages Guide to Basset Hound Puppy Dog Care can help you learn about any special care requirements for this breed. From exercise needs to grooming to any special dietary requirements, you'll learn what you need to know to properly care for your Basset Hound dog or puppy. In addition, we have provided many links to Basset Hound dog care resources where you can find additional Basset Hound dog care information.

Immortalized as the Hush Puppy for many, the Basset Hound is perhaps one of the most easily distinguishable dogs in the world today. With his soft brown eyes, long velveteen ears and solemn expression, he is the sweet and gentle dog that everyone just wants to hug and dote on. Make no mistake, however, this wily scent hound uses that to his advantage and can be quite demanding, when it comes to wanting his share of the attention.

Basset Hounds enjoy being sedentary, and make excellent house and apartment dogs. They are perfectly content to lounge around all day while their owners are at work. If you're looking for a dog to tag along on your daily runs, a Basset Hound is not the best pet for you. While Bassets do need daily exercise, walking is much more their style than running or even jogging.

Exercise is not something that a Basset Hound enjoys at all, unless of course he or she is hot on the trail of a scent. Basset Hounds are known for their exceptional smelling abilities, and were actually bred specifically for that purpose. Smaller than other scent hounds, these dogs were originally bred for the purposes of being able to track scents through areas in which larger hounds are not able to travel.

Even though Basset Hounds don't enjoy exercise, it is vital that they get regular exercise in order to remain healthy and avoid becoming obese. Bassets love to eat with the same level of passion that they loathe to exercise. Left to their own devices, Basset Hounds will eat everything they possibly can. To keep your dog from becoming overweight and developing associated health problems, it is important to closely monitor his or her diet and enforce regular exercise.

Overall, the general care of Basset Hounds is relatively simple - a good brushing, once or twice a week is all he needs to keep his coat shiny and healthy, removing any loose dander from his skin. Bathing the Basset Hound only needs to be done when he begins to "smell like a dog," and is usually preformed once or twice a month. Nails should be given special attention because, do to the lack of activity in the Basset�s general routine, they can tend to grow very long in a short amount of time.

The other area that needs careful attention is a Basset Hound's ears. Due to their length and the heaviness of the ear, Basset Hounds are prone to dirty ears and various infections that can cause great discomfort in the form of itchiness or pain, a distinctive odor, discharge and, if left untreated, can complicate hearing. For this reason, their ears should be cleaned out at least once a week, a practice that you should start with your Basset Hound puppy, in order to get him accustomed to the feeling.

Basset Hound Puppy Dog Care Resources Online

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