The droopy faced dog that can bring a smile to any one's face is the basset hound. Believe it or not this dog that can follow a scent on a hunt for miles, but can not find its own way back home and drools.The basset is still a very poplar pet in the United States today. The name basset comes from the French word "bas' meaning low. Bassets are definitely a breed that is close to the ground.

It may be hard to believe the comical basset hound originated in French. Unlike, other small breeds that we associate with France, the basset hound is not usually is unlikely going to be found in the purse of any trend setting fashion models. Hunters in France developed the breed to track rabbits and other small game almost 400 years ago. The basset hound short legs made it the perfect hound to navigate thick grass and underbrush when they were on the hunt. Their short fur did not get tangled in any woodsy debris when they were tracking rabbits. Hunters really focused on developing the breed's sense of smell. Basset hounds proved themselves very worthy hunting dogs and could track small game reliably for miles.

During the Victorian era basset hounds were introduced to the British Isles. With a generation of their introduction even British citizens who did not hunt owned basset hounds. Queen Victoria even had a few basset hounds of her own. Bassets were still highly desired dogs for their hunting skills.

Around the turn of the 20^th century, basset hound was introduced to North America. They became an officially recognized breed, and bassets were beginning to be bred and entered into dog shows. In 1928 a magazine covering an important dog show in New York featured a basset puppy on its cover. America fell in love with the melancholy look of the hound and the basset hound began to become a poplar household pet breed.

The trade mark look of a basset hound is a heavy set muscular dog with shot legs. They are large headed dogs with low hanging deep chests. Typically, the basset hound is 14 inches from shoulder to tail. They are considered medium sized hounds with weight generally in the forty to sixty pound range. Basset hounds are washing and wear dogs and their short fur is easy to care for, but they do require regular brushing because of their inclination to shed. The majority of bassets have black, brown, and white patches and spots. Bassets are best well known for their long floppy ears that almost touch the ground. Despite rumors unlike Dumbo, basset hounds are not capable of flight and tend to aquire a great deal or mud and dirt on the outside of their floppy ears.

Basset hounds have a life expectancy similar to other hounds; they typically live 10 to 12 years. Drooling constantly is one of the less attractive traits of this breed, but many owners get used to it. Bassets are generally considered good with children and other pets.

They have health issues related to inactivity and being so physically close to the ground. Despite their slow moving appearance, basset hounds are healthiest and happiest having time outdoors with other dogs or playing fetch. Basset hounds need a fenced in environment because of their tendency to become fixated with certain scents.

They hyper focus on a scent and will follow it for miles and become lost. Bassets are not noted for their ability to track their way back home. If the family cat is found spraying rabbit scent over a several block area, you can be assured that there are personal issues between that cat and your basset hound.

Sources:

http://www.animalsaspets.net/articles/3848/1/Knowing-and-Understanding-Your-Bassett-Hound/Page1.html

http://www.akc.org/breeds/basset_hound/index.cfm

http://www.basset.net/core.html?331,219