What's the Best Dog Food for Basset Hounds?
The happy go lucky Basset Hound is a true joy to be around. Keeping this delightful pooch in tip top health requires a premium quality diet that has been designed to fuel this moderately active breed’s nutritional needs and daily lifestyle. Whether you've got a puppy, a fully grown adult, or a senior, our recommendations for premium diets will help you find the very best food to keep your Basset Hound healthy and well.
AKC Classification: Hound Group
Exercise Required: Up to 60 minutes/day
Ideal Weight
Healthy Male: 51-64 lbs
Healthy Female: 44-60 lbs
Breed Summary
The Basset Hound's name is derived from the French term “bas,” which translates to low. A breed of immense musculature, the Basset Hound’s lengthy ears and droopy jowls make it easy to identify. The ears of the Basset form an important function in its role as a hunter, trapping scents that waft up to the Basset’s nose to assist it with tracking game such as rabbits. Their ability to track a scent is second only to that of the Bloodhound.
Typically, the Basset Hound has a tri colored coat but also comes in red and white, and more rarely, lemon and white. This charming breed has short legs, meaning this pooch will move at a slow and deliberate pace, a trait desirable to hunters following the dog on foot. The Basset’s tail is quite long, making it easy to spot when hunting in thick woods or deep grass.
By nature, the Basset Hound is an amiable family companion, loving and affectionate with its family and children, in particular. Though the breed enjoys sleeping and lazing around the house, regular daily exercise of up to one hour per day is recommended for good health.
The Basset has a unique set of vocalizations. When engaged in a hunt, the breed will use a distinctive bay or howl to alert its owner to the presence of game. In addition to this, the Basset Hound has a special whine that is reserved for letting its owner know a snack would be greatly appreciated.
Physical Traits
Short, stocky, strong, athletic, agile
Personality Traits
Friendly, engaged, loyal, playful, intelligent
Health Considerations for Basset Hounds
It is always a good idea to try to understand what health problems can be common to the Basset Hound. This information can be very helpful in selecting the right diet for the breed. Basset Hounds love food and can be predisposed to becoming obese if allowed to free feed or overfed.
Every breed is predisposed to a certain set of genetic diseases. Among the health issues that can affect the Basset Hound are hip dysplasia, Von Willebrand’s disease, glaucoma, patellar luxation, and entropion.
Hip Dysplasia
Because of their heavy, muscular frame, the Basset Hound can be genetically predisposed to developing Hip Dysplasia. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip ball does not sit squarely in the socket, causing rubbing and deterioration of the bone. This condition is extremely painful and can be exacerbated by excess weight. Dysplasia is typically hereditary, but maintaining a healthy body condition will mitigate pain and discomfort. To support general joint health, we prefer foods that contain:
Patellar Luxation
A Luxating Patella is another health problem that can plague the sweet Basset Hound. Typically inherited, patellar luxation is evidenced by a knee cap that slips out of position. Slipping knee caps are graded on a scale from 1 to 4 with 1 considered minor and 4 typically requiring surgery. Proper support for optimal knee health is vitally important.
Eye Health & Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition that occurs when fluid in the eye does not drain properly resulting in pressure on the retina and optic disk. Over time and if left untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness in the Basset Hound. There are several different ingredients that can provide support for eye health, so we look for Basset Hound foods to contain:
Entropion
Entropion is seen when the eyelid of a dog moves inside the eye. This movement leads to the eyelid hair brushing against the cornea, causing irritation but also potentially leading to tears, ulcers, and pigmentation which can interfere with proper vision. An excellent diet can support eye health in the Basset Hound.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
Von Willebrand’s Disease occurs when a dog lacks the correct factor for its blood to clot properly. A very serious condition, Von Willebrand’s disease is often detected when a dog has an injury, a heat cycle, or surgery and it is discovered that the bleeding will not stop. Von Willebrand’s disease can be successfully treated with medication, but it cannot be cured. Not even the best nutrition can prevent VWD, but we mention it here to help awareness for loving parents of Basset Hounds.
Foods We Recommend: Basset Hound Puppies
How long do Basset Hounds need puppy food?
Until they're 12 months old
Basset Hound puppies require a high performance puppy food to thrive. Since a puppy’s body goes through many important developmental changes during their first year of life, a diet that is calorie dense and that contains higher amounts of both protein and fat are desirable. It is also vitally important that the puppy food selected for the Basset Hound contain the correct amounts of calcium to phosphorous to support a healthy rate of bone growth.
Foods We Recommend: Basset Hound Adults
When do Basset Hounds become adults?
12 months old
The Basset Hound is a moderately active breed at best. With this in mind, this breed needs the right combination of appropriate amounts of daily exercise and an adult diet that is suited to its nutritional needs. The best dog foods for Basset Hounds offer exceptional and well-balanced nutrition and include helpful supplements to support optimal health and wellness in this delightful breed.
Foods We Recommend: Basset Hound Seniors
When do Basset Hounds become seniors?
10-12 years old
As the Basset Hound enters its senior years, it is less active than it used to be. To ensure a healthy body condition, it is best to feed this dog a diet that contains fewer calories, but that prioritizes the use of premium quality ingredients that promote satiation. Easy to digest proteins such as chicken are ideal for aging Basset Hounds. It is also an excellent idea to look for a food that contains supplements to support joint, heart, and eye health.