Calm, good-natured and affectionate. Gets along well with people and other dogs and pets. Good with children. Loves to be a lap dog. Not a good guard dog. Sensitive and stubborn nature. A Basset takes punishment and reprimands to heart. Can be stubborn and conveniently "hard of hearing." Pack mentality. A single Basset may not do well left alone for long periods. They need closeness, touching, and petting to be content and happy. For working owners, the company of another dog is the next best thing to having you there.A scent hound. The Basset was bred to trail game. His keen nose can lead him into dangerous situations such as the path of a speeding car or an unfenced swimming pool. Bassets do not swim well due to their heavy front ends. The Basset is safest in a secure, enclosed areaRelatively low activity level. Prone to obesity. Healthy, trim Bassets have good energy levels, but they are also content to snooze away the afternoon in a patch of warm sun. Although this laid back nature makes them desirable house pets, their weight must be kept in check. A daily walk with your Basset is recommended.A large, hefty dog, possessing more bone for its size than any other breed of dog. Although Bassets are low to the ground, they are not small dogs, with most ranging from 35 to 65 pounds. The average person will have a difficult time lifting an adult Basset Hound.A smooth-coated dog. A wash-and-wear dog who may be bathed as frequently as needed. Bassets are either tri-colored (a combination of black, white and tan or brown) or red-and-white (a lighter red and white may be called lemon-and-white). Coat colors are distributed over the body in no particular pattern