Description Of Basset Hounds

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Basset Hounds are known for their sad-looking faces and great sense of smell, which is second only to the bloodhound. Many people also know them for their floppy ears, their short legs, and their sometimes stubborn nature, but here are eight facts you may not know about Basset Hounds.

Bassets are Descendants of the St. Hubert Hound

Basset Hounds came about in France and were developed by French monks at the abbey of St. Hubert who were looking to develop a breed with a powerful sense of smell. Therefore, the St. Hubert Hound was originally created. Eventually, this breed branched off. While one line became the bloodhound, a mutation in another line of the St. Hubert Hound created a short-legged or dwarf hound, which is now known as the Basset Hound. This breed got its name because of its close proximity to the ground. The French word “bas” means low. Therefore, the name basically means “low-set hound.”

Bassets Were Created with Specific Physical Characteristics in Mind …show more content…

The dog’s thick coat and bulky body protects it from being scratched or otherwise hurt by bushes or other items they may encounter while traveling through the woods following a trail. Their close proximity to the ground makes it easier for them to stay on the trail of whatever animal they are tracking. Their long ears stir up the scent, and the loose skin around the dog’s face helps to trap the scent. While Bassets have great stamina, their short legs do not allow them to travel very fast for long, so their slow speed allowed their early hunting companions to follow the dogs on foot rather than requiring the use of

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