Welcome to Dog Care Story, where we celebrate all things canine! If you’ve ever found yourself searching for “Show Me Pictures Of Basset Hounds,” you’re in the right place. These gentle, long-eared hounds are instantly recognizable and utterly captivating. With their distinctive mournful eyes, wonderfully droopy ears, and low-slung bodies, Basset Hounds have carved out a special place in the hearts of dog lovers and in pop culture worldwide. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of Basset Hounds, from their ancient origins to their most famous appearances, all while showcasing plenty of pictures of these charming dogs.
The Unforgettable Gaze of the Basset Hound: Meeting “Blanche”
The Basset Hound’s expressive face is often its most striking feature, none more so than their deeply set, often “mournful” eyes. These eyes seem to tell a story of profound patience and gentle wisdom, drawing you into their world. One such memorable portrayal is in the oil painting “Blanche” by Armin Stock, a testament to the breed’s enduring artistic appeal. Blanche’s gaze is a perfect example of this characteristic, capturing the breed’s soulful essence. It’s almost as if she’s patiently waiting for a connection, inviting you to look closer and appreciate her unique beauty.
Oil painting of Blanche, a Basset Hound with mournful eyes, part of the Identity & Restraint exhibition.
Whether in art or in person, encountering a Basset Hound is an experience. Many pet enthusiasts recount stories of meeting these adorable dogs, often finding them just as charming and perhaps a little sleepy, as they are naturally calm and affectionate.
A sleepy Basset Hound with long ears resting its head, seen at a dog breed event.
Their calm demeanor often makes them seem perpetually relaxed, even when surrounded by admirers.
Another adorable Basset Hound, looking relaxed and sleepy at the Meet the Breeds event.
Distinctive Features: Why Basset Hounds Look the Way They Do
The name “Basset” itself offers a clue to the breed’s appearance, as its root “bas” means “low” in French. This refers to their notably low-slung stature, a defining physical trait. This etymology might sound familiar if you’ve encountered “bas-relief” in art history, referring to sculptures with a shallow protrusion from a background, much like a wall or coin.
Beyond their short legs, many of the Basset Hound’s most distinguishing features—like their famously floppy ears, wrinkly skin, and long bodies—are not merely aesthetic. They are purposeful adaptations developed for their original role as scent hounds. The Basset Hound’s powerful nose is among the strongest of all breeds, surpassed only by the Bloodhound.
A classic Basset Hound showcasing its long, floppy ears and distinctive wrinkly skin, perfect for scent tracking.
As they meticulously sniff the ground, their long ears drag, stirring up and trapping scents, directing them towards their highly sensitive noses. The distinctive wrinkles around their faces further aid in trapping these scent molecules, allowing for a more intense and prolonged olfactory investigation. Their low, sturdy bodies and short legs enable them to maneuver efficiently through dense, low-lying brush, making them perfectly suited for tracking small game like rabbits and hares. Furthermore, their relatively slow and steady pace ensured that human hunters on foot could easily keep up, making them ideal companions for a leisurely hunt.
A Basset Hound with its nose to the ground, demonstrating its powerful scenting abilities in the field.
Tracing the Basset Hound’s Ancient Lineage
The history of the Basset Hound is as rich and intriguing as their appearance. Their lineage can be traced back to the 6th century at the Abbey of St. Hubert in the Ardennes region of what is now Belgium. The friars of this abbey are credited with establishing one of the earliest organized dog breeding programs, and their St. Hubert Hound is considered an ancestor to several distinguished scent hound breeds, including both the Basset Hound and the Bloodhound. This makes the Basset Hound a dog with a truly ancient and noble heritage.
Historical illustration of an early Basset Hound from the 1562 book "La Venerie," showing its ancestral form.
The word “basset” is believed to have first appeared in print in the 1562 hunting treatise La Venerie, solidifying their historical presence. St. Hubert himself is revered as the patron saint of hunting, particularly ethical hunting, further cementing the Basset Hound’s connection to this long-standing tradition.
Depiction of St. Hubert, the patron saint of hunting, relevant to the origins of the Basset Hound breed.
From European Abbeys to American Homes: Evolution of the Breed
The charm and utility of the Basset Hound quickly spread across the European continent, captivating hunters and dog enthusiasts alike. Eventually, these delightful dogs made their way to America in the 19th century, finding new homes and admirers. The modern Basset Hound, with its more pronounced domed head, owes some of its development to careful cross-breeding with Bloodhounds at the end of the 19th century. This was largely championed by Sir Everett Millais, who sought to refine the breed’s characteristics.
In 1884, the Basset Hound received formal recognition from the American Kennel Club (AKC), becoming the 10th breed to be officially entered into their stud books. While their cousin, the Bloodhound, has seen victory as Best in Show at prestigious events like the Westminster Dog Show (with “Trumpet” winning in 2022), the Basset Hound is still awaiting its grand prize win at one of the “Big Three” dog shows. This, however, does little to diminish their popularity and status as beloved family companions.
Trumpet, the Bloodhound who won Best in Show at the 2022 Westminster Dog Show, a cousin to the Basset Hound.
Basset Hounds in the Limelight: Pop Culture Icons
Thanks to their distinctive and endearing looks, Basset Hounds have frequently appeared in pop culture, becoming instantly recognizable icons. One of their most famous early appearances was in 1956 when none other than Elvis Presley serenaded a Basset Hound (dressed in a bow tie and top hat!) with his hit song “Hound Dog” on the Steve Allen Show. This iconic moment further cemented the breed’s place in public consciousness.
Iconic photograph of Elvis Presley serenading a dignified Basset Hound wearing a top hat and bow tie on the Steve Allen Show in 1956.
Television has also featured these lovable hounds prominently. Fans of the classic detective series Columbo will fondly remember “Dog,” the patient Basset Hound companion who often waited quietly while Lieutenant Columbo meticulously investigated crime scenes. So beloved was this character that a sculpture of Columbo and his loyal Basset Hound stands in Budapest!
Peter Falk as Columbo with his loyal Basset Hound "Dog" by his side, a memorable duo from the TV series.
“Dog” truly embodied the patient and steadfast nature of the breed.
Close-up of "Dog," Columbo's Basset Hound, looking patiently at his owner, a beloved pop culture dog.
Another famous Basset was “Flash,” Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane’s faithful sidekick in The Dukes of Hazzard.
Perhaps one of the most enduring animated Basset Hounds is Droopy Dog, the anthropomorphic character who first appeared in early MGM cartoons and later as part of The Tom and Jerry Show. Droopy’s perpetually sad expression and slow, deliberate movements perfectly encapsulated the Basset Hound’s relaxed demeanor, becoming a comedic foil for many animated adventures.
Droopy Dog, the famous anthropomorphic Basset Hound cartoon character from MGM's Tom and Jerry Show.
The keen sense of smell possessed by Basset Hounds and Bloodhounds has often led to their depiction as canine detectives, often dressed as Sherlock Holmes. While the original Holmes stories featured a dog named Toby, described as “half spaniel and half lurcher,” Disney reimagined Toby as a Basset Hound in their criminally underrated 1986 animated film, The Great Mouse Detective, further cementing the breed’s image as a skilled tracker.
Toby, the Basset Hound character from Disney's "The Great Mouse Detective," depicted with a friendly demeanor.
Why We Can’t Get Enough of Basset Hounds
From their historical roots as diligent hunting companions to their modern-day status as cherished family pets and pop culture darlings, Basset Hounds continue to charm us with their unique blend of loyalty, patience, and comical expressions. Their gentle nature makes them wonderful additions to many homes, known for being good with children and other animals, albeit with a stubborn streak when their nose is on a scent trail!
Exploring the pictures of Basset Hounds reveals so much about their character and the rich history embedded in their distinctive features. Whether you’re captivated by their droopy ears, wrinkled brows, or soulful eyes, it’s clear why these hounds hold such a special place in the dog world.
An irresistibly cute Basset Hound puppy with soft, droopy ears and expressive eyes, embodying the breed's charm.
We hope this visual journey through the world of Basset Hounds has delighted you and offered a deeper appreciation for this incredible breed. For more insights into dog breeds, pet care tips, and heartwarming stories, be sure to explore other articles here on Dog Care Story!
References
- American Kennel Club (AKC): https://www.akc.org/
- Basset Hound Portal: http://www.basset.no/basset-hound-history/The-St–Huberts-Hound
- Daily Paws: https://www.dailypaws.com/
- National Purebred Dog Day: https://nationalpurebreddogday.com/
- Today: https://www.today.com/pets/
- Columbophile: https://columbophile.com/
- Tom and Jerry WikiFandom: https://tomandjerry.fandom.com/
- National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM) Blog: https://nslmblog.wordpress.com/
