Collection: Personalised Basset Hound Gifts

The Basset Hound is a short-legged, floppy eared scenthound. They have a distinctive chunky torso and long tail. Some of their features serve to enhance their sense of smell and ability to successfully ground-scent. For example, their hanging skin structure traps air particles, making scents stronger and easier to follow. Their trademark saggy face adds to the dog’s appeal, and you may recognise the cartoon character droopy is a Basset. It is hard to say no to their sad puppy eyes!

It’s a calm and friendly pooch that loves playing fetch outdoors equally as much as it loves curling up on its owner’s lap.

Whilst the Basset Hound is a British breed, they have French ancestry. Since antiquity, hounds accompanied hunters because of their strong sense of smell and endless energy levels. Their short legs were desired, as peasants who couldn’t afford horses were able to keep up with their hunting companion!

The St. Huthbert Hound is the most likely parent breed of the Basset, and they arrived in Britain in the 1870s. They became instantly popular, especially when the royal family decided to own one. It wasn’t long until these pooches were interbred and the Basset Hound became a staple of the British countryside, cherished for their hare-hunting ability.

Friendly, loving, and relaxed, the Basset is suited to family households. They are pack dogs which means they love to be around others, making them an ideal playmate for children. As an owner, you should never forget that these hounds assist hunters, you must be wary in public places and around traffic because the Basset will become absorbed in whatever scent it picks up, even if it means running through moving traffic! Some Bassets are stubborn which means they aren’t the easiest breed to train. You should begin training early and use positive reinforcement methods. Amusingly, they don’t tend to bark and, instead, they will whine when they need something.