The Basset Hounds can be easily identified with their giant, tired eyes and soft ears. They were initially bred in Belgium and France as hunting dogs. Basset Hounds are very loyal and make a perfect companion, and anyone can fall in love with them. But the biggest challenge of being a pet parent is dealing with their shedding.
Shedding can be a little uncomfortable at times, but if you want to enjoy staying with your Basset Hound, you must learn to minimize their molting. It is always important to investigate more about a dog breed before adopting one. You don’t want to adopt a puppy that you cannot take care of.
Do Basset Hounds shed? Yes, Basset Hounds are considered moderate shedders. They will only shed more during the seasonal molting, which can be managed by proper grooming and diet. The Basset Hound is short-haired, meaning you can easily maintain their fur. Do not let their shedding change how you feel about them.
Basset Hounds do have their challenges, just like any other dog breed. But if you can accept their unique odor, drooling, and shedding, you will gain a loyal companion who will stand by you for whatever comes. If their smell and shedding haven’t put you off, you are a Basset Hound lover willing to care for this pup. This article will cover the basics any pet parent should know before welcoming the Basset Hound into their home.
Do Basset Hounds shed, how much and why they shed, how you can manage and reduce their shedding, and if they are allergy-friendly. You need to be familiar with all these questions to know whether this breed is suitable for you and your family.
How Much Do Basset Hounds Shed
How much a dog breed sheds can be affected by several factors, including age, time of the year, diet, grooming, and overall health. Bassets Hounds are moderate shedders, meaning they are more likely to shed throughout at an average rate. Others think that just because the Basset Hound has short hair, they shed less, which is invalid.
You can expect more fur during the seasonal shedding in spring and fall. You also have to know how much is too much because excess shedding can be bad news for your Basset Hound. Do not just assume that your dog’s shedding is normal when it’s not.
Why Do Basset Hounds Shed?
Shedding is normal for every dog breed, and Basset Hounds are not exceptional. They will shed to replace old hair with new ones. This process of renewing is constant and happens throughout the year.
The Basset Hound’s hair grows in three phases. The first is the anagen phase (the initial stage where the new growth happens). The second phase is the catagen (here, the dog’s fur outreaches its full length and stops developing). The third and last phase is the exogen (the dog’s fur dies and falls out). This process is continuous, and that’s why your Basset Hound will shed throughout the year.
Aside from the natural shedding, your dog could also be shedding due to underlying causes. This brings about excessive shedding that is not caused by seasonal changes. Keep reading to know more about unhealthy shedding.
Shedding Seasons and Frequency
Most dog breeds experience the shedding seasons and frequency, which usually happens during the spring and fall. The shedding season usually occurs when the seasons change from summer to winter and vice versa.
Basset Hounds will shed their thick undercoat during the summer to keep them cool. Whereas in winter, they will shed their light summer coats and make room for thicker fur to keep them warm. Seasonal shedding is essential because it helps the Basset Hounds adjust to the weather changes, thus preserving normal body heat. You will have to brush your Basset Hound more during these two seasons to keep their coat healthier and contain their hairs.
Unhealthy Shedding
As much as shedding is normal for every dog breed, unhealthy shedding can occur and isn’t good for dogs. If your Basset hound is losing too much hair, something could be wrong. It would be best to take your canine to the vet for regular check-ups to avoid such incidents. Unhealthy shedding in your Basset Hound can result from allergies, poor diet, dehydration, hormonal changes in females, stress, parasites, bacterial or fungal infection, etc.
Remember, the dog’s coat is important to them, and when they shed unhealthily, it is affected. The coats help regulate temperature changes in their body, prevent dryness, and protect against toxins and micro-substances. In short, unhealthy shedding is more critical than you think because your Basset Hound needs his coat. Therefore, it is always critical for pet parents to keep this in mind and note any irregularities in their dogs’ shedding patterns.
What Type of Coat Does Basset Hounds Have?
The Basset Hound’s coat is short, smooth, and soft. Since their fur is short and smooth, it doesn’t require high maintenance. You will only need to brush it regularly to keep their shedding under control. They are typically multicolor with white, brown, and black spots all over their body.
Their topcoat has a waterproof waxy layer and helps them while they are outdoors, whereas the inner fur keeps them cozy during the winter season. Basset Hounds occasionally shed just like other short-haired canine breeds. You will notice this when you pet them.
How To Manage and Reduce Basset Hounds Shedding
There is no way you can eradicate molting entirely because this is a normal process where dogs get rid of the dead hair from their fur. Shedding is also a way dogs guard themselves against the variations inside and outside their bodies. Once you have answered the question, do Basset Hounds shed, it’s only logical that you learn how to manage the shedding.
Generally, you will only need to feed them a high-quality diet, maintain a proper grooming routine, bathe them occasionally, and you can also add a few supplements to their diet. If you follow through with all these procedures, I’m certain it will help minimize their shedding.
Basset Hounds Grooming
When it comes to grooming, brushing your Basset is of supreme importance to help keep your dog’s fur healthy. It will remove dead, loose hair before it is shed into the environment, thus containing the issue. When brushing, you also distribute the skin’s natural oils evenly all over the pup’s coat, thus encouraging healthy fur growth. During brushing, you can check your dog’s skin for any irritations, infections, soreness, or any other issue that could lead to excessive shedding.
Weekly grooming with a grooming mitt should be enough to keep your Hound’s fur clean and healthy. But you may need to brush daily during seasonal shedding to keep up with the increased shedding. If you maintain a proper grooming routine, you will enjoy a hair-free environment. And while you’re at it, clean their teeth, nails, and ears as well.
Basset Hounds Diet
Have you ever noticed that your skin and face look healthier and shinier when you eat healthy foods? This also applies to dogs. A poor diet will result in dry and irritated skin, which will increase the amount of fur they shed. That is why you need to feed your Basset Hound a high-quality diet to keep their fur healthier.
Remember, healthy fur equals less amount of shedding by your Basset Hound. Some of the most important nutrients for a healthy coat are proteins and fatty acids. But vitamins, minerals, and carbs are equally important.
Baths, Supplements…
The Basset Hounds tend to have some natural odor, and they need occasional bathing to help them smell good. Bathing your pup once a month can help reduce shedding. Basset Hounds have pretty sensitive skin, so you will have to find the right shampoo that will not irritate their skin.
You also want to avoid over bathing them as that will strip them of their natural oils, leaving their coat dry and itchy. This causes them to scratch and rubs themselves, thus encouraging more shedding.
If your Hound is not getting the necessary nutrients from the diet you’re providing them, you can add some supplements to help keep their fur healthy and reduce shedding. You can opt for the Omega-3 fatty acids supplements. And, ensure you choose the Omega supplements derived from wild fish and not farmed pond fish.
Are Basset Hounds Hypoallergenic
If you are planning to adopt a Basset Hound and want to know whether or not they cause allergies, worry less because I have the simplest answer for you. Basset Hounds are not hypoallergenic dogs, meaning they are more likely to cause an allergic reaction to allergy sufferers. Their short hair doesn’t qualify them in the listing of hypoallergenic dogs. Secondly, they drool a lot due to their large jowls. And saliva is a recognized allergy source.
But all hope is not lost because a few tips can help you manage your Basset Hound shedding and reduce the number of allergens they produce.
For starters, make it a routine to wash your hands thoroughly after petting or playing with your pup. Otherwise, you might accidentally touch your eyes, nose, or face and activate an allergic reaction.
Properly grooming your pup will also reduce fur and dander, which are major allergy triggers. If you’re the one allergic, have someone else do the grooming outside.
Train your Basset Hound to keep off your bed and couch. Allowing them to jump or lay on your couch and bed can contribute to your allergy issues. They will be spreading the dander in your blankets and pillows, thus increasing your chances of coming in contact with the irritants and causing your allergies to flare up.
You can also minimize your allergies by vacuuming your home more often to remove the irritants causing allergic reactions. Make sure you vacuum your house thoroughly and get to all the areas the dog visits. You can also use a HEPA air filter to catch all the airborne allergens.