The Miniature Basset Hound

The miniature Basset Hound is a smaller version of the well-known dog breed the Basset Hound. It could be thought of as a smaller type of the Basset Hound, but it is an entirely different breed. The physical attribute that makes this dog a miniature is their weight and not their height. The miniature hound weights 10 – 35 pound when fully grown. A regular Basset Hound is typically around 45 – 65 pounds. These dogs are not a designer breed of dogs like the Labradoodle, Puggle or Schnoodle. These dogs have been properly bred by professional and experienced breeders over many years combining several different types basset breeds to create this smaller new breed of a basset.

 

Traits

The official name of the breed is the Parva Os Lux Basset. They have short legs and stand about 14 inches tall, but the real definitive trait is their long ears. The ears can be long, wide, skinny or any combination of the three. The preferred standard for the ears is being able to put them over the dog’s eyes, this doesn’t happen naturally and can only be discovered when you gently place the ears over the eyes. They have a short-haired coat and are typically tricolored with variances of black, brown, red, tan and white.

Because of the size differences mentioned above the miniature hound is more agile and faster. They do not need an excessive amount of exercise but should have a couple of walks each day.

 

Temperament

The miniature Basset Hound is a great family pet. They are very loyal and friendly. They have a very calm demeanor. They love affection and will climb into your lap. If their owner is giving attention to another dog they will get jealous by barking or trying to get you to pick them up. Much like other hound breeds, they can have selective hearing and a very strong nose. Many times these two things go hand in hand. They are great hunting dogs. Their nose will lead them on a hunt and they will decide they don’t hear you when you call for them. For this reason, they should be kept on a leash or in a fenced yard.

Another trait that makes them similar to other hound dogs is their bark. They tend to have a loud howl. This could be an issue if you live in an apartment or have an attached living space to someone else. They will bark at strangers and intruders which makes them good watchdogs, but they will rarely do anything more then bark, so they might be the best guard dog but they would alert their family if they see someone. They are also known to snore and drool a little. This mostly happens when they have just had a drink and they have a few drop drip when they are walking away from their bowl.

 

Health

The miniature Basset Hound has many of the same health concerns as its counterpart. They are susceptible to glaucoma, hip and/or elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, and hypothyroidism. This, of course, is not a full list and doesn’t mean that your dog will get any one of these. The miniature Basset Hound is still under development as a breed, but there have not been any additional health-related issues than the ones of a regular Basset Hound.

These dogs do shed and will need to be groomed, but don’t seem to mind the grooming because of the attention they get while being groomed. Giving them some fish oil each week will help to decrease some of the sheddings. Some excessive shedding can be because of a lack of dietary fat so added the fish oil or olive oil will help give them a healthy coat.

Basset hounds have a lovely, distinctive look that captures the heart of anyone who gets to meet one. They have droopy dig faces with short legs, and they are sweet and playful. If you’re interested in owning one, it’s important to understand the basset hound temperament to know what you’re getting into.

 

General Personality

Basset hounds are known for being playful and very smart, and they are also known for having a generally upbeat basset hound temperament. They’re also extraordinarily independent. Sometimes, too independent for its own good. The dog seems to get into mischief a lot, but it’s usually harmless fun. Basset hounds seem to know how sweet they look when they wag their tail and give you their adorable puppy eyes, but remember that they’re just manipulating you to get out of trouble (and it usually works). Basset hounds are extremely sweet animals, if not the most obedient. They also love all walks of life. This doesn’t make them great at being watchdogs, but it makes them fantastic for bringing people over.

 

Training

Basset hounds can be a little more difficult to train than other breeds. Basset hounds have a stubborn mindset, and they don’t always obey unless they have a reason to obey. They’re independent thinkers and frankly don’t care if they please you or not. It’s important to use reward-based techniques with plenty of treats and remain consistent throughout training. And patience is key. Finally, don’t expect your basset hound to come when called. Their independent minds will take over, and they will keep running after their subject of interest. They should always be on a leash or in a fenced yard, even after they are fully trained.

 

Energy Level

Basset hounds may appear small, but they are quite sturdy. They can grow to be as much as sixty pounds, and the breed is known for experiencing weight problems. This means that they require a substantial amount of exercise to stretch their little legs and keep the weight down. Be prepared to commit to multiple walks and daily playtime, especially if you’re in an apartment without much of a backyard for the dog to run around.

 

Social Interaction

Basset hounds are, without a doubt, social creatures who love to socialize with everything from dogs, cats, and humans. As hounds, they are used to working in groups with other animals to hunt. They are especially good with children. Their sturdy bodies can withstand all of the hugs and rough play that children bring. They also enjoy the noise and activity of multiple people and animals in the house. Basset hounds don’t like to be left alone.

 

Noise

One of the greatest headaches that come with being the owner of a basset hound is that it is prone to barking. A lot. The dog is very vocal, and it will inform you when something or someone new comes into the environment. It will also bark when it’s afraid, which often occurs every time it thunders outside. The most it will bark, though, is when it’s left alone for a long period of time. If you work long hours, you can assume your basset hound is barking while you’re gone. If you live in an apartment, this can be very tiresome for neighbors. Always have plenty of toys available for the dog, and it’s a good idea to take him for a long walk to tire him our before you leave for an extended period of time.

It’s important to remember that despite the typical basset hound temperament, each dog is an individual. They may have different personality traits based on their environment. However, you should still be prepared for independent, social creatures who love to make a lot of noise. After all, that is the typical basset hound temperament.

Most people know about the bassets because of popular culture, notably when the dog breed appeared as a part of advertising logos. Historically, these dogs were bred to hunt for small game, including rabbits. These days, there are still parts of the country that still use the dog for such purposes. If you are searching for an active yet laidback pet that is kid-friendly, the French basset hound may be a good choice for you.

 

A Little History of the French Basset Hound

References to hounds with short legs across Europe have been around since the 1500s. Bassets are believed to be descendants of St. Huberts (or commonly known as the Bloodhound), which were described as dogs with muscular bodies with low and short legs that did not give them the speed they needed. However, these dogs have an excellent sense of smell.

The hound started to evolve in many French regions, and it was around 1585 when hounds that measured less than 16 inches were called bassets. At that time, there were about 12 variations of these hounds all over France and some in other European countries.

During the French Revolution, however, some dog breeds, including St. Huberts, became extinct. Basset hounds made their first appearance after a long time during the French dog show in Paris back in 1863. These are the French bassets that we know today, and the American Kennel Club recognized this breed officially in 1935.

 

Physical Characteristics

Basset hounds typically grow 14 inches tall, but some can reach up to 15 inches. They can be around 40 to 65 pounds, depending on some factors, including their height and their lifestyle among others. These dogs have a distinct look because of their short legs and long ears.

These hounds have a remarkable bone size, primarily because they have denser bones when compared to other breeds – even the larger ones. The head of this dog breed is enormous yet well-proportioned and of medium width. It has a loose skin over the entirety of its head as it creates some wrinkles over its brows, mainly when the dog lowers its head.

Among the most notable physical qualities of this breed are its ears, which is very long and low-set. If you draw them forward, they can reach the end of its nose. The texture of the ears is velvety as they hand in loose folds on either side of the head.

The coat is smooth, hard, and short with enough density, which allows it to survive in almost any weather.

 

Personality Traits of the French Basset Hound

French bassets are known to be low-key and patient. They may not be too keen on training because they are quite stubborn, but you can count on them to be always charming. They have reasonable energy levels but do not expect them to be overly active dogs. In fact, this breed is lazy, although the dogs can still be playful at times. Since they have been bred to hunt by scent, they can follow a trail even if it is in steep terrain.

They have a mild attitude, and they are neither shy nor sharp.

 

Who is This Breed For?

French bassets are quite famous for their looks because they appear distinct with their long ears, long bodies, and short legs. They have an endearing face, especially with their sad eyes and droopy ears that make them a favorite pet of many families.

A French basset hound is considered suitable for everyone searching for a companion dog no matter what the age. They are devoted to their families, and they are quite loving as well. One trait that is remarkable about them is that you do not have to worry if you have other dogs in the house; because they can get along well with almost any breed. Additionally, if you have kids or babies at home, the bassets are also good with children.

If you have allergies, you may have to be aware that this breed sheds seasonally and may require weekly grooming. While they are stubborn when it comes to training, these dogs will still respond well. Those living in an apartment will find bassets lovable because they are quite lazy and not so active. However, to make sure they are always healthy, these dogs require regular walks since they can be prone to obesity.