A basset hound is a large breed of dog originating from France. They are usually white or brindle colored with black markings. The coat is thick and coarse and requires regular brushing.
If you have recently purchased a Basset Hound, you may wonder how often you should bathe your new pet.
This article will answer this question and more to keep your Basset Hound looking perfect.
Basset Hound
The Basset Hound originated in the French province of Brittany, where it was used for hunting rabbits.
It has been bred for over 500 years and is still used today by hunters who want a small, fast-moving, quiet companion that can track down its quarry.
The Basset Hound’s appearance is similar to that of a larger version of a Pekingese. It is a medium-sized dog that stands between 25-30 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs about 40 pounds. Its body is long and lean, making it ideal for tracking prey.
Today, the Basset Hound remains a popular choice for many people who enjoy owning a smaller, quieter dog. Their short legs make them agile, and their long bodies allow them to move quickly through bushy areas.
Although they do not require much exercise, they are good swimmers and climbers. They also love to play fetch, which makes them great companions for families with children.
Health Concerns
As with any breed of dog, some health concerns are associated with the Basset Hound. These include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, epilepsy, allergies, and skin conditions. However, most of these issues can be prevented if proper care is taken during puppyhood.
Grooming Requirements
The Basset Hound is a working dog. It needs to be brushed regularly.
Brushing helps remove dead hair and dirt from the coat, keeping it clean and healthy. As with other breeds, the Basset Hound’s coat is very dense and coarse; therefore, it must be groomed quite regularly.
It would be ideal for brushing your Basset Hound a couple of times a week, but at least once a week is ok as well. You just want to make sure that you don’t go months without brushing your Basset Hound.
Grooming your Basset Hound will help make their coat look skinny and keep their skin healthy. A rubber brush or a soft bristle brush is ideal in this situation.
When it comes to brushing them, you want to start off by brushing against the grain.
This way, you are ensuring that you get rid of any dirt or knots in the hair. Then go back through the hair along the grain, which will help make the coat look perfect.
We would recommend not brushing the head, as this is a susceptible area on the dog. You don’t want to be causing your Basset Hound any distress.
Bathing
If you don’t bathe your Basset Hound regularly enough, this can lead to skin issues for your dog.
You want to set up a bathing routine while your Basset Hound is still young. This will get them used to baths so that they don’t feel uncomfortable when it is time for a bath.
How often they need a bath depends on how quickly they get dirty. You want to give your Basset Hound a bath once a month, but if they have an active lifestyle, then twice a month might be more appropriate.
If they live outside all year round, you may consider giving them a bath every two weeks.
It is important that they have regular baths to reduce the chance of infections. However, you don’t want to wash them too frequently, which can dry their skin.
When it comes to bathing your Basset Hound, you should only use mild soap and water. Never use harsh chemicals or abrasive products on your dog, as this can irritate their skin.
Also, it is best to brush their hair before you bathe them to remove any dead hair, which makes your job of bathing them a lot easier as well. Moreover, it is significant to remember never to leave your dog unattended while bathing.
Ears
A noticeable feature of Basset Hounds is their ears. When it comes to bathing, they need some special attention. Their long ears are quite sensitive and require quite a bit of attention, otherwise, this could lead to a lot of infections.
The ears of a Basset Hound are known to get a build-up of black wax. Unfortunately, they cannot get rid of this wax themselves.
By using a warm washcloth or even special dog ear wipes, you need to clean their ears. It is a sign that their ears require cleaning as they may begin to smell; however, this could also be a sign of infection.
It is important to keep an eye on their ears, as they can be susceptible.
Drying Your Basset Hound
Once you have finished bathing your Basset Hound, you need to make sure that you dry them properly. Make sure you do not blow air directly into their face if you use a blow-dryer.
This could cause damage to their eyesight and could result in serious injury. Instead, you want to blow air away from them. You don’t want to overheat your Basset Hound, as this could cause heat stroke.
As a result, towel drying might be a safer option and works just as well. Also, with towel drying, you can be assured that you aren’t drying out the Basset Hound’s skin from intense heat.
Skin Conditions
Basset Hounds suffer from various skin conditions that you need to be aware of. Not every Basset Hound will suffer from a skin condition, but the majority suffer from one of these. Sometimes it can depend on the dog’s age and overall health.
They are known to sometimes suffer from itchy skin, inflammation, and dermatitis. If your Basset Hound is suffering from any of these, you need to be careful with how you bathe them.
You will want to use sensitive products that don’t dry out your skin. Also, when you are washing them, you want to be as gentle as you can be so you don’t agitate their skin anymore.
Conclusion
You should always remember that Basset Hounds can have sensitive skin. Your Basset Hound should be bathed and groomed quite regularly to keep its coat looking good and its skin healthy.
The most important thing about bathing your Basset Hound is to make sure that you are doing it gently.
Using the right products for the job is also critical so that you don’t dry out their skin or coat and cause irritation.
Now you know how often you should be bathing your Basset Hound.
