The Basset is an easily distinguishable dog, with its long ears, solid build and droopy mournful face. These dogs, which first arrived in Britain with the invading Normans in 1066, are believed to descend from the St Hubert Hound. Later in their history, they were crossed with other hound breeds to add size.

The name of the breed comes from the French word ‘bas’, meaning low.

This is a breed that is renowned for being gentle, affectionate and well-mannered. Bassets get on with everyone, and just love to be loved. They are exceptionally good with children and get on well with other dogs, as well as non-canine pets.

With their agreeable temperament and happy disposition you’d be excused for thinking that this has always been a companion dog. But in fact, the Basset’s history is as a hunting and tracking dog, a role it excelled at.

Grooming a Basset Hound is a relatively simple task. The coat is short and requires only a brush down a couple of times a week to keep it looking its best.

In addition, you will have to pay special attention to the ears, which are susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections. Wipe them down with a damp cloth, being careful to dry them afterwards, and you’ll avoid most problems.

You may also need to clip the dog’s nails every once in a while. This is a task many dog owners shy away from, but it needs to be done, so if you’re not up to it ask your vet or local dog groomer.

Training a Basset can be a bit of a challenge. Like many in the hound group they are independent thinkers and can come across as stubborn. They are also very sensitive dogs, so training should always be done in a gentle and patient manner. They do not respond well to harsh treatment.

Basset training takes tons of patience. They have a short attention span and are inclined to just trot off if the mood takes them. Stick to your guns and you will succeed, especially if you tap into the Basset’s love of food and use really tasty training treats.

Unfortunately, their love of food can translate to a number of obesity related diseases. A common concern with overweight Basset Hounds is vertebral problems, as the extra weight puts strain on the spine. Other health concerns include foreleg lameness, entropion, gastric torsion, and cysts on the paws. They may also be prone to osteochondrosis.

Bassets can be quite lazy, but it is important that they have daily walks to ensure they don’t become overweight.The Basset Hound makes a wonderful pet that is affectionate, comedic, entertaining and just an absolute joy to be with.

Good names for a Basset can be hard to find. The best advice is to search one of the online dog names, sites, and my personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ. This site has thousands of excellent dog names, including a mega-database of female dog names to pick from.