Great Dogs for Apartment Living: Basset Hound

Basset hounds can be wonderful dogs for apartment living. These floppy-eared dogs with sad, drooping eyes are great companions. They’re easy to manage with the right training, and their size makes them ideal for even a medium or small apartment space. If you’re wanting a dog for a pet, here are some things you can think about regarding basset hounds.

Size

Basset hounds are a French breed, and they’re a short dog. To qualify as a purebred basset, the dog needs to be no more than 15 inches tall at the highest point of its shoulder blade. Their short stature can be a big consideration for an apartment. However, they can also grow to be very thick in the body. The weight of a basset hound can range from 35 to 70 pounds. They have very dense bones and big feet, and this makes them look clumsy. You might be worried that a basset will be knocking over your furniture or electronics. This shouldn’t be a concern, though, because they’re very aware of their movements and surroundings.

Temperament

Basset hounds are very loyal to their owners. This can be an added consideration, because they’ll tend to be very protective. They also have a very mild temper. They don’t get timid or shy around people, and they’re slow to anger, even when they get frustrated. Calm, cool and collected are three words that come to mind with these hounds. They’ll also let you know when they want something, usually through a whine or a low moaning sound. They may bark or howl to let you know something is wrong.

Training

Basset hounds require a lot of consistency when training them. They like treats, so a lot of bribes are needed to reinforce their training. They may pretend to forget something if you don’t offer them a treat. Bassets can get stubborn if you don’t use a lot of positive reinforcement. They’re led by their noses, so fragrant treats can go a long way when training them.

Exercise

Basset hounds need to be on a leash when you walk them. They were originally bred as hunting dogs, so they tend to “follow their nose” a lot. If they’re not on a leash, they might ignore your commands to follow a scent that they’re particularly interested in. If you have a larger basset hound, they may pull you along at times, so be aware of this before purchasing one.

Cleanliness

Though they’re a short-haired breed, basset hounds tend to shed a lot. This can add to the amount of vacuuming you’ll have to do when they go through a shedding period. On the other hand, they “potty train” very well, and they’ll let you know when they need to go out.

Overall, basset hounds are a sweet and gentle breed, and they make for a great family pet. Their size, temperament and loyalty make them good dogs for apartment living.