The Basset Hound makes a great pet for an apartment as long as she can get plenty of walks. She needs the exercise and likes to follow scent trails. A better situation for her is access to a properly fenced in yard with plenty of room, or better yet a farm. She is great with children and people and will also get along with dogs and other pets. She is a shedder and she drools so be prepared to brush her and have a drool rag ready. She makes a wonderful, loving pet. She can be hard to housebreak and can be a bit stubborn about training. *Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male and female is approximately 13 to 15 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and about 45 to 65 pounds. *Special Health Considerations. The Basset Hound must be carefully fed to avoid weight gain as this can be very hard on her back and heart. She is generally a healthy dog but here are some possible health considerations. All dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and here are some concerns. Von Willebrands disease (a problem with blood clotting) Paneosteitis (A problem of lameness in some Basset Hounds, not unlike growing pains, they she should outgrow). Allergies, especially to grass. Ear problems if the ears are not kept clean. *Grooming. The Basset Hound has a coat which is short, hard and smooth with all weather density. She should be brushed at least weekly. She is a heavy shedder and brushing will help keep your house free of shed hair. Brushing will also help her maintain a clean and healthy coat and also help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her. Additionally, her outer ears hang low so they will get into her food and water bowl and will need to be cleaned. Additionally, the insides of her ears need to be cleaned with cotton balls and a solution recommended by your veterinarian, regularly to help avoid ear infections. Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease. Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net. *Life Span. The Basset Hound can live between 10 to 12 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions. *History. The word basset is French for meaning rather low, referring to the Basset Hound and her short legs. The breed originating in France, descending from the St. Huberts Hound, which is similar to the Bloodhound. They were developed to be low in stature so they could trail game through thickets. They were designed to flush out the rabbits and other game, but not to kill them. The American Kennel Club first recognized them in 1885 as a breed. Some Registries: *UKC United Kennel Club *NKC National Kennel Club *CKC Continental Kennel Club *APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc. *AKC American Kennel Club *FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale *NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club *KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain *ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club *ACR = American Canine Registry
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