The adorable Hush Puppies dog, which is the affectionate way in which we refer to them, actually belong to a dog breed that bears the name of Basset Hound and is one of the best known breeds in the world, if If you want to know more about the Hush Puppies dog, continue reading this interesting article.
The Hush Puppies Dog
They are charming puppies that have, among their peculiarities, a very long body with short legs and a face that seems to exhibit a sad expression. Although one of their names is hound (hound in English), there is nothing to fear from them because the Hush Puppies dog is characterized by being affectionate, they are tenacious and very friendly.
How is the character of the Basset Hound?
This breed of dog, in particular, stands out for being animals that have a very gentle, affectionate, calm character, with a natural balance and that are very attached to their owners. It turns out that the Hush Puppies dog has stood out for being the perfect companion dog, since it is capable of establishing very close cognitive and loving ties with those it considers to be its family, particularly with the little ones, with whom they enjoy a lot. play and romp, letting himself do everything without having bad reactions.
Basset Hound Training
Another benefit that this breed of dog has is that they are always in a good mood, thanks to their friendly temperament and they will always be friendly with all human beings, even with strangers who knock on the door.
Although some inconveniences can arise, in particular with some individuals who exhibit some behavioral disorders because they believe that they should have a slightly higher position within the pack than they really do. When we refer to the pack, we are not only talking between the dogs, but they also integrate their guardians and their families into the pack.
For this reason, it is absolutely relevant when we are socializing him, letting him see from the beginning the place that the puppy is going to occupy within the hierarchy of the group that is going to be his family, so that the Hush Puppies dog understands early who is the one who has the position of leader and whom he must obey at all times.
One of the best known breeds
The Hush Puppies dog is one of the breeds of dogs that does not require an introduction, since almost all people are able to recognize them immediately with just an image. Particularly because it is a breed of dog that has been used for product commercials and as pets in movies.
It certainly seems that the Hush Puppies dog has a sad face, but this is because it has a look that inspires a lot of calm and looks very serious, but the reality is that this is a breed of dog that is very funny and cheerful, that he plays a lot and that he has the ability to have gestures that will surprise you and assume postures that seem incredible.
Remember that initially the basset hounds are dogs that were used as bloodhounds, because they are dogs that have a lot of intelligence and an overwhelming personality. It quickly understands and learns everything you want to teach it, but it is also a dog that has the ability to think and make the decisions that seem most appropriate to it on its own, which is why on some occasions it exhibits very aggressive behaviors. stubborn.
It is for this reason that its owner is going to have to make an effort to give it a strict and firm training, with a lot of constancy over time and that has a coherent plan. But you must confuse being firm with being tough, since this breed is particularly sensitive to mistreatment, which is unfair or which means some kind of abuse.
What if the Hush Puppies dog has been poorly trained?
In fact, if we are harsh in its training, what could probably happen is that we provoke in the dog a response contrary to the purpose that is being pursued with the training, because a basset hound that has been abused during the training is going to turn into a dog that is going to be shy, that is going to shy away from treatment, that is going to distrust everything and whose temperament will be absolutely contrary to the way that dogs of this breed typically do.
If the Hush Puppies dog has been trained and socialized in the correct way, then it will be a dog that will have a lot of tenacity and will show a lot of determination, as well as a natural instinct to be able to hunt in packs by sniffing and chasing their prey.
Characteristics of the Basset Hound
They have excellent resistance and adapt easily to any kind of terrain, and they have a bark that is deep and sounds quite good. Although, at the same time, it is a dog that is very calm and affectionate, so it is not normal for it to behave like an aggressive or fearful dog.
Energy: Although they have a very particular body, they are dogs that are very energetic, they are animals that are very active and require moderate exercise.
Temperament: this will depend on the environment in which the dog is found, for example, if it is in the field, it will show itself as a hound that is tenacious, stubborn, courageous, dynamic and fast, but if it is in a home, it will show itself as a dog that is affectionate, harmless, effusive and calm.
Adaptability: this is a mug of dogs that manages to adapt without any inconvenience to any environment, as long as the individuals they consider as their family are always present.
Sociability: As we have said, it is an animal that is very nice and affectionate, which comes to have ties with human beings that are excellent, not only with those who are part of the owner's family, but even with people who be strange
Health: In this aspect, their caregivers have to pay close attention, because the most common problems they exhibit in terms of their health are being overweight and the possibility that they may have an excess of loose skin, which can cause inconveniences of ocular or epidermal type.
Longevity: the life expectancy of a basset hound breed is up to 15 years, and if they have been carefully cared for, they can live much longer.
Utility: it is a breed of dog that is very versatile, because it was originally treated as a hunting dog, but today, they are used more as a companion animal in the home.
Use: as we have already said, they are versatile, because they can be used for hunting activities and as pets.
Characteristics of the Basset Hound
The Hush Puppies dog is so well known because it has been treated in a very mediatic way, in fact it has been one of the breeds that have been used the most to make advertising campaigns, filming or television series, thanks to which the face of this breed of dogs is on almost everyone's mind.
Although it was traditionally used for hunting activities, it is one of the bloodhound breeds that has been able to successfully take the step to have an excellent track record as an ideal companion animal.
It is one of the breeds that have managed to evolve quite a bit in the last fifty years. In particular, physically, because it has been possible to obtain individuals of greater length and weight, compared to dog breeds that are lighter and more agile and that belong to the pure working lines.
When we want to observe the way they look, we will see that they are hounds that have a very robust and elongated physique, that they have a straight, strong and wide back, and with powerful shoulders. One of the peculiarities that can be observed are the characteristic wrinkles found in the lower section of its legs.
The Hush Puppies dog has a head that is elongated and the skull will have the shape of a dome. On the sides of the head, its skin is loose, so it tends to hang down and form wrinkles that are even more noticeable with the movements that the dog makes. The eyes have a diamond shape. There are also specimens that can have lighter or darker eyes, depending on the color of their fur. And they will always have a look that will give off a sense of tranquility and serenity.
They have ears that are very long and narrow, which are set low on their head, just off the bottom line of their eyes, and fold inward. They have a texture that is very fine and that gives the sensation of velvet. Its legs are solid and strong, with joints that are very solid. The pads are also robust and the nails are large and strong. The skin on the lower section of the legs has a tendency to form folds.
This breed enjoys a long tail, with a high insertion, right on the same line as the animal's rump, what is particular about it is that the tail is very thick from birth and then becomes thinner as it grows. which is reaching the top. Usually, this breed of dog has its tail raised and curved, as if it were a saber.
Regarding the coat of this breed, it is very short, which is going to be well attached to the skin and smooth, so it is not a dog that is going to shed a lot of hair. It can be presented in a combination of two or three colors, or in any of the patterns that are normal among bloodhounds.
But now we are going to explain in greater detail what the basset hound is like and the particularities that are considered to be a standard in this breed of dog:
How to identify the Hush Puppies dog breed?
Let's see what you should pay attention to to identify if your Hush Puppies dog is purebred:
General appearance: it is characterized by having a long and robust body. It is a hound dog that has short limbs and among whose characteristics you will observe the existence of a certain amount of loose and hanging skin in different sections of its body.
Size & Fit: Small/Medium
Withers height: between 33 and 38 centimeters for males and between 31 and 34 centimeters for females.
Weight: between 25 and 30 kilos in males and between 23 and 26 kilos in females.
Origin: United Kingdom.
Body: It is robust, long and deep throughout its length.
Head: It is elongated, with the upper part of the skull and the snout of equal length.
Skull: It has a domed shape and with the protruding occipital protuberance, which is widest in the region of the eyebrows and decreases a little towards the snout.
Muzzle: It is thin without being pointed, with upper lips that cover the lower ones.
Nose: normally it is completely black, except if it is a hound whose fur is light in color, in which case the nose may be brown. The nostrils are wide and well open, so that they can protrude a little from the lips.
Eyes: they have a diamond shape and are usually dark in color, although they can be medium brown if the dog has light-colored fur. His semblance is calm and candid. In the lower eyelid it is normal that the connective tissue can be seen with the naked eye.
Ears: they are long and have a fine texture, reminiscent of velvet. Normally, they are narrow throughout their length, although they fold inward.
Naso-frontal depression: it is moderately marked.
Jaws: their jaws are energetic, reaching an ideal, regular and complete scissor bite.
Neck: It is muscular and well arched, with a dewlap that is very pronounced.
Chest: they have a very prominent sternum bone, but without giving the impression that the chest is narrow or very low. The ribs are very turned and are positioned far back.
Back: it is wide and horizontal, with the benefit that the withers and the loin are around the same height.
Forelegs: they are short, powerful legs with very strong bones. The skin will normally form folds about its average height, around what we could call the forearms. His shoulders don't weigh much. The shoulder blades are displayed sloping.
The upper section of the forearm usually inclines slightly inward, but not so steeply that free movement of the animal is impeded, nor so that the forelimbs collide with each other when the dog stands up or moves. The elbows must be well attached to the sides of the dog's chest.
Hindlimbs: Muscular and protruding, they have an almost spherical physical shape when viewed from the rear. They are likely to have creases between the hock and the foot, and in the back section where the hock joint is, you will likely be able to see a slight pouch that is the result of loose skin hanging on the hock. place.
The Hush Puppies dog's knees are well angled. The hocks are low, they have pasterns that are slightly oriented towards the interior of the body. When the dog stands still these will remain vertical.
Feet: they are solid, with excellent pads, which manage to distribute the weight of the body equally between all the fingers, so that they are capable of leaving a footprint like that of a large dog, because none of the areas in those where the pad is not going to come into contact with the floor.
Tail: it is excellently well implanted and is very long, it is also thick and robust at the beginning, but then it gets thinner as it reaches the tip; in the lower part the tail is covered with rough fur. In full activity, it will be observed that the dog will carry it raised, forming a kind of soft curve that resembles the shape of a saber, but it will never roll it up nor will it show itself resting on its back.
Color: what we are normally going to find in purebred dogs is that they are going to exhibit a mixture of colors, being normal that there are three, which are black, white and tan, but there are many individuals that They are of two colors, usually white and yellow similar to lemons. However, in this breed of dog it is normal to find the color patterns that are typical of bloodhounds.
Hair: they are expensive, smooth and thick, but it is not very fine, although its line contours will look pure, without fringes or fringes.
Movement: it is a dog that can move freely and with great harmony; His forelegs extend effectively under the powerful thrust of his hind legs. This is a dog that will never drag its fingers across the floor.
Hush Puppies dog puppies
If you are thinking of adopting a Hush Puppies dog and want to find out everything there is to know about this beautiful breed, because they seem to you to be precious puppies, it is very important that you know that you have to know what we are going to tell you. next:
He is a very gluttonous puppy, so it is especially important that there is a good relationship with extreme control between the amount of exercise you are going to give him while your puppy is growing and the amount of exercise he needs to do, because it will depend on it. much of his health when he is an adult dog.
You may be able to visit several animal shelters or shelters so that you can adopt a furry companion who is able to adapt to your way of life, for which Bassets are especially ideal. But if what it is about is that you want to buy a Hush Puppies dog puppy, what we recommend is that you visit several recognized breeders of this breed.
You have to make sure that they are responsible breeders, you have to visit their facilities and ask all the questions that arise so that your doubts are clarified and, in particular, run away from those places where they are offering you the puppy at a cost that seems very cheap, because it is probably not pure or you will have problems with the puppy.
The Hush Puppies dog is a breed of dog that has a lot of love to give and that gives affection and affection to all the individuals that can be found in its environment and that, as is expected, also cares with great tenderness and dedication. their puppies. Do not be fooled by the appearance of this breed, because they require exercise from the time they are puppies. The body structure of the Hush Puppies dog is certainly a conditioning factor regarding their movements, but even so, you will realize that they have a uniform, clear, determined step and with a strong rear impulse.
On the other hand, it is absolutely important that you start their training and socialization, the earlier the better. You have to get him used to seeing other people and that he can play with other dogs. Later we will give you more tips on raising Bassets.
Likewise, we recommend that you expose your puppy to the situations and noises that will usually occur in the coexistence that he will have with you, so that he gets used to them from an early age. In this way, you will prevent your puppy from behaving anxiously or restlessly as he grows older.
As we have already told you, in this breed it is very common for the coat to be of three colors, that with white, black and tan; but it is good that you also know that there are Basset Hounds that have a coat of two colors that are white and yellow, or any combination of other colors that are typical of hounds, since in principle, that was Bassets.
Basset Hound Education and Training
Regarding the way in which Basset Hounds should be educated, we repeat that you cannot be confused by their appearance, because, although they have a very particular body structure, with a very long and low body, and with legs that are very short, the Basset Hound is a genuine dog for hunting activities, that is, it is a working animal that, for this reason, requires a large amount of exercise every day, so that it can reach to obtain the ideal physical fullness.
The basis of the maintenance program is long walks on a leash, which are not enough anyway, as it is also necessary to do some exercise session in freedom from time to time. Even so, it is important not to release it in the open field if you are not absolutely sure that you exercise total authority over it, since the animal may have a tendency to follow any trail that it considers interesting and get lost in the search, even reaching put yourself in dangerous situations.
In addition, as a good pack dog, the Hush Puppies dog hates being alone and needs to have the company of his family or another dog to feel fulfilled.
So a good recommendation for any new owner of a Hush Puppies dog is to try to get more than one dog. And always try not to leave him alone in the house for long periods of time, so that he does not become an overprotective dog in the future.
If you follow this advice, your dog will not acquire some character and temperament vices, among which you can find the habit of hiding some objects, that it will acquire the tendency to destroy things or make holes in the garden.
Another aspect that you must take into account is the fact that the Hush Puppies dog is a gregarious dog, which has in its genes that it must be part of a group or a pack, which also means that its relationship with other dogs is generally very good; because he enjoys their company and it is very rare that eventualities of fights for a hierarchy can arise.
But with regard to the relationship of a Hush Puppies dog with pets of other non-canine species, owners should be a little more cautious, so that they do not give in to their instinct to try to hunt them, although if they are well socialized and accustomed to having to live with them since he is a puppy, they can establish a bond that is really adequate and without any inconvenience.
With regard to the kind of life, we indicate that it is a dog that manages to adapt ideally to all kinds of situations, so it will be able to live together just as well, both in a small flat, that is located in the center of a city, or in a large country house, because what really interests him is to have the security of always being in the company of what he considers to be his family and that they provide him with the attention he needs.
If you are able to cover all these needs that we have mentioned, then the Hush Puppies dog will be the perfect choice for you, regardless of whether you are an owner who has a lot or no experience in raising a pet.
However, we have to inform you that you can always have better results with this breed of dog if you make sure you get the job of a person who is a professional dog trainer, with the necessary knowledge to properly train your pet.
Another option is that you sign up as a member of a work club, in which you can share the experiences obtained and tell how the evolution of your dog's education has been with other owners who are in the same conditions as you and can put into practice advice that has worked for others.
Food
In relation to the feeding of the Basset Hound, if there is a problem that you should take very seriously, because it is a problem that is truly worrying for all breeders, owners and fans of this breed, not only because it modifies the aesthetics of this breed, but because, essentially, if care is not taken, it is likely that your dog may suffer from many ailments derived from it, and it is the problem of being overweight.
The Hush Puppies dog is a dog that, basically, is large and has short legs, it is for this reason that its muscles, length, the amount of bones and skin they have do not match at all with the height at the withers. , so it is vitally important that you control their weight, particularly in their first year of existence, because this is the time when their growth is fastest.
To prevent this problem from occurring, you are going to have to put a lot of character into your pet, because it is a dog that is very gluttonous and this is known by all those who are followers of this breed, and if you are not careful and you have a tendency to comply with his whims, then these behaviors will make your Hush Puppies dog grow up overweight or very obese, with the respective risks that this entails for his spine and joints.
Therefore, if there is some kind of inconvenience and your pet stops eating, that is an indication that something is not right with your pet.
Other drawbacks that are associated with being overweight can be the appearance of respiratory, cardiovascular and dermatological ailments. As you may have seen, the diet of the Hush Puppies dog is an essential element, probably one of the most relevant aspects, that you have to take care of in its health program, because you have to be able to guarantee that it will have all the nutrients that the dog requires. dog, but avoiding excesses.
So, what we recommend as a measure that you must take at all times, so that your pet can stay healthy, is that you combine a diet that is balanced and healthy with a daily exercise program that is adapted to the age of your pet. dog and its health condition, so that the animal has optimal growth and has healthy growth and is always in shape.
Luckily for you, today, the most prominent dog food brands have placed different lines of food products on the market that are special for this class of dogs. You may be able to purchase them at specialty pet stores or online.
Health and Diseases
The first thing we must tell you is that you cannot think that the Basset Hound is a dog whose care is problematic, or that it is a dog that is fragile and delicate. On the contrary, it is a breed of dog that has a life expectancy that is above average.
It is normal for individuals of this breed to be obtained that have reached over 15 years of age, provided that they have had the proper care from breeding specialists and veterinarians and have had a balanced diet.
For this reason, if you have acquired a Basset puppies, the first thing we recommend you do is contact a veterinary specialist you trust as soon as possible, with the aim of taking charge of keeping an eye on the problem. health and healthy growth of your puppy.
This is not only important for the health of your pet, but for you as well, because it will become the person you can turn to if you have any questions or concerns about any aspect related to your Basset, in particular about diet, care, exercise or hygiene routines, as well as any other aspect.
Actually, if one pays attention to the activities of serious dog breeders, what has been observed is that there is a tendency in recent years to exhibit some concern for the health and welfare of purebred dogs. , which has motivated some organizations to put special concern in the selection of specimens that are healthy and functional, as well as beautiful. And the Basset Hound has not been an exception, so the puppies of this breed are becoming healthier and healthier.
The English Kennel Club, is an organization of international stature in the patronage of the standard of this breed of dogs, has determined, based on the suggestions of a council of the breed that has been made up of representatives of the different clubs of the same that exist in the United Kingdom, the essential points on which the greatest concern of breeders and fans is focused in relation to the health conditions of this particular dog.
One of the drawbacks that normally causes more ailments to this breed of dog is the excessive amount of hanging or loose skin that can be seen in many specimens, which is the product of breeding that has been based on selection, as well as exaggeration, of the peculiarities of this breed, and which is the cause of many discomforts, as well as the appearance of specific skin ailments.
Among these inconveniences with the skin, we can find that the excess becomes, in most cases, a malformation that appears on the eyelids and that can culminate in the appearance of irritations and eye problems that can have a great effect. negative in your pet.
In addition, the appearance of ears that are very long may be a product that derives from a tendency that breeders have had to try to obtain hypertypical dogs, that is, that they have the particular features of this breed but in an exaggerated way. The excessive size of the auditory pavilion of this dog is a condition that, in addition to being completely non-functional, can be the origin of repetitive ulcerations and infections.
Likewise, as we recommend to the owners of all dogs, preventive action regarding their health is very convenient, taking them regularly to an appointment with the veterinarian, to comply with the schedules of the vaccination programs, external and internal deworming and their examination. general, to check the condition of their ears, mouth, eyes, fur, skin and everything related to their health.
Specific Cares
Regarding the care that a Basset needs, one of the most important, in addition to its diet, is the constant review of the areas of the skin in which they have folds and wrinkles, as they must always be dry and clean, but for the rest, nothing more special than the normal and simple hygiene and aesthetic program is needed.
To do this, what we recommend is that you get a weekly brushing routine and a bath that can be spaced out when you realize that the animal is very dirty. With this routine you will guarantee that your dog will have a spectacular coat. It really is a low-maintenance dog, but it will give you a lot of satisfaction, which is why the popularity of the Basset Hound continues to increase.
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