Raising dogs, in particular taking care of the basset hound, is a specialty of people across the globe. Some historians believe dogs were domesticated between twelve thousand and twenty five thousand years ago—and that all canines evolved from wolves. Since those days, humans have selectively bred more than 400 different breeds, ranging in size from four-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, whose 3-foot stature has earned them the title of the tallest canine. But the most preferred pooches are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mutts. The basset hound is another favorite pick with canine owners. Many owners are misinformed, however, of many of the most common basset hound care tips.
Typical cost of care for the basset hound
The annual budget for taking care of your basset hound—to include everything from food, veterinary care, toys and license—can vary between four hundred twenty and $780. This doesn’t even include capital expenses for spay/neuter operations, collar and leash, a dog carrier and a crate. Tip: Be positive you have obtained all the necessary items before you get your basset hound home for the first time.
Basic basset hound Care
How To Feed the basset hound
- basset hound pups between eight and 12 weeks old need 4 meals in a day.
- Feed basset hound puppies 3 to 6 months old 3 meals every 24 hour period.
- Feed puppies six months old to 1 year 2 times in a day.
- When your basset hound hits his or her 1st birthday, 1 bowl in a twenty-four hour period is typically all that’s required.
- Sometimes adult basset hounds, however, prefer 2 lighter meals. It’s your responsibility to adapt to your basset hound’s eating schedule.
High-quality dry dog food provides balanced nutrition to adult basset hounds and may be mixed with canned food, broth, or water. Your basset hound may also have a taste for cottage cheese, fruits and vegetables, and cooked eggs, but these foods should not total more than 10 pct of her daily food allowance. basset hound pups should be fed high-quality, name brand puppy food. You should try to cut down on “people food”, however, because it can result in vitamin and mineral imbalances, tooth and bone concerns, and might result in extremely finicky food choices and obesity. Give clean, fresh water exclusively, and make certain to clean food and water dishes very regularly.
basset hound Care Tips: Make sure to get your basset hound some daily exercise
basset hounds must get physical activity to stay fit, recharge their minds, and maintain good health. Exercise also really helps basset hounds avoid boredom, which has the potential to lead to difficult behavior. Supervised fun and games would cure most of your basset hound’s instinctual urges to chase, retrieve, chew, dig and herd. Activity needs will depend on your basset hound’s level of health and her age—but just a walk down the street every day and ten minutes in the backyard probably won’t be enough. If your basset hound is a six to 18 month adolescent, his requirements will probably be a little higher.
basset hound Grooming Tips
Frequent brushing will help keep your basset hound clean and reduce shedding. Inspect for fleas and ticks every day during the summer or other warm weather. Many basset hounds don’t need a bath more than a few times per year. Before giving her a bath, comb or cut out any mats from the basset hound’s hair. Rinse all soap out of the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap residue.
How to Handle Your basset hound
Puppies are obviously easier to manage. To carry your basset hound puppy, place 1 of your hands under the dog’s chest, with either the forearm or other hand supporting his hind legs and rump. Don’t attempt to grab or lift your puppy by his forelegs, tail or back of the neck. If you need to pick up a bigger, full-grown basset hound, pick it up from underneath, bracing her chest with 1 of your arms and rear end with the other arm.
Housing your basset hound
basset hounds need a warm quiet location in order to relax away from all drafts and away from the ground. You may wish to think about buying a dog bed, or feel like making one from a wooden box. Place a clean sheet, blanket, comforter, or pillow inside the bed as cushion. Wash the basset hound’s bed covering often. If the basset hound will be spending a lot of time outdoors, be sure he has plenty of cool water and covering in hot weather, and a dry, warm, covered area in the cold.
basset hound Identification
Be sure to follow your city’s licensing regulations. You should attach the license to your basset hound’s collar. This, along with an identification tattoo or tag, can help you recover your basset hound if she happens to go missing.
basset hound Temperament Info
Training your basset hound
A well-behaved, companion basset hound can truly be a joy to own. But when untrained, your basset hound will most likely be a big pain. Teaching your basset hound the standards—”Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, and “Leave it”—will improve your relationship both with your basset hound and the company. If you own a puppy, begin teaching him or her the right responses asap! Use little bits of food as an incentive and a reward. Puppies can commence obedience class when they are adequately vaccinated. Contact the community SPCA or humane society for details on obedience courses. It is wise to walk your basset hound on a leash in public, even while a pup. Just be positive your dog will come back to you if you say the word. A disobedient or aggressive basset hound cannot play with others.
About your basset hound’s Health
basset hounds should visit the veterinarian for a thorough examination, innoculations and heartworm exam each year, and promptly if she is sick or hurt.
Knowing Your basset hound’s Dental Health
Although we might simply dislike our basset hound’s halitosis, we must be aware of what it may indicate. Halitosis usually means that your basset hound needs an oral screening. Dental plaque , which is brought on by bacteria results in a terrible stench that requires professional treatment. Once you have given your basset hound a cleaning from a professional, her mouth can be kept healthy by brushing the teeth regularly, feeding a specially formulated dental diet and treats, and avoiding table scraps. The vet can supply you with other information for mitigating periodontal problems and bad breath. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your basset hound’s teeth. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger. Periodontal disease,which is an infection between the tooth and the gum, sometimes affects basset hounds. Often, tooth loss occurs as a result of gum infection. Infection will sometimes also propagate to the rest of your basset hound’s body. Your vet usually will clean your basset hound’s teeth in his typical health exam.
Bad basset hound Breath
While the foul odors brought on by oral disease might not be too serious if found early enough, sometimes bad breath may also indicate fairly serious, persistent problems. A fruity, sweet smell may sometimes be a sign of diabetes, while diseases of the liver or intestines may cause foul breath. Kidney disease is a possible cause when your basset hound’s breath smells of ammonia or urine. When you find your basset hound has foul breath along with other indications of ill health, such as loss of appetite, nausea, loss of weight, depression, a lot of urinating or drinking, set an examination with his doctor.
Tick and Fleas in basset hounds
Daily, regular checks of your basset hound for ticks and fleas in the summer are critical. Remove and find fleas using a flea comb. There are numerous new techniques of flea and tick control. Speak with your vet about his or her options.
Heartworm problems in basset hounds
Your basset hound is at risk of heartworms if he is exposed to lots of mosquitoes. The insect carries heartworms from dog to dog. Many basset hounds die annualy as a result of heartworm infestations. It’s critical you ensure your basset hound has a blood test for worms every spring. It’s also wise to give your basset hound a monthly pill in the warm, wet time of the year to help protect him from heartworms. Your basset hound should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. In some of the warmer regions, veterinarians recommend preventive worm medication be taken continuously.
Toxins and Medications
Remember to never give your basset hound medication that hasn’t been prescribed by his veterinarian. As little as one ibuprofen tablet is known to cause stomach ulcers in basset hounds. Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your basset hound. Make sure to contact your basset hound’s veterinarian if you believe your basset hound has ingested a toxin. You may also notify the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24 hr. help.
Neutering and Spaying basset hounds
Male basset hounds should be neutered – the removal of the testes – and females spayed – the removal of the ovaries and uterus – by six months old. Spaying before maturity greatly reduces the breast cancer risk, a common and frequently fatal disorder for older females. The chance of a sick uterus, which is another serious affliction that impacts older females, will be eliminated by spaying while young. Neutering males eliminates the risk of testicular diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggression.
basset hound Immunizations
- The combination vaccine (also called a “five-in-1 shot”) ought to be given to your basset hound at two, 3, and 4 months of age and then once yearly. This immunization immunizes your basset hound puppy from distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Your basset hound must be immunized for at least the first four months of her life.
- If your basset hound has not been immunized and is older than four months, he will need two immunizations as soon as possible, 2 or three weeks apart. Then you must vaccinate annualy.
- basset hound pup innoculation and socialization should go hand in hand. Most doctors recommend that new owners bring their basset hound puppies to socialization courses, as early as 8 to 9 weeks of age. At this age, they should have already received their first innoculations.
Rules are so different between different areas, that it’s best to call your local vet for rabies vaccination details. For instance, NYC rules declare that pets older than three months be innoculated for rabies. The original rabies shot must be followed up by another innoculation the next year, and then every 3 years. There are several immunizations that may or may not be appropriate for your basset hound. Ask your basset hound’s vet for her opinion. Note, if your basset hound happens to get sick because he is not immunized, the shot must be given after your pet is better.
Hookworms in basset hounds
basset hounds are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—especially in rural areas. Eggs that carry roundworms and hookworms are transmitted through a dog’s stool. Even the healthiest of basset hound puppies carry roundworms or hookworms. An accurate, early detection is the secret to treatment. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed treatment will be successful against your dog’s worms. A dewormer that eradicates hookworms, for example, will not kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best identify the culprit—and decide the right treatment.
basset hound: Miscellaneous Care Tips
basset hound Supply Checklist
- Top-quality dog food and treats designed for basset hounds and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water dish
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Comb and brush for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with license and ID tag
- Quality leash
- Dog carrier (for puppies)
- Crate for training
- Dog box or bed with comforter or towel
- Doggie or child’s toothbrush
The no-no list
Never feed your basset hound the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Caffeinated foods, like coffee, tea or chocolate
- Grapes or raisins
- Spoiled or moldy food of any kind
- Onions, garlic or chives
- Chicken, turkey, or any other poultry bones
- Salt and salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit & stems
- Yeast dough
The scoop on poop
Keep your basset hound on a leash when you are outside, unless you are in a fenced-in, secured space. And please, when your basset hound defecates on your neighbor’s grass, dispose of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about basset hounds
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