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View 8 More +There’s nothing quite like a dog that is super sociable and loves taking long naps. If you want a breed that acts just like this, then you may be interested in a Basset Artesien Normand. This breed is super laid back and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, making it a favorite among inactive families or older households.
Breed Overview
Height:
12 – 14 inches
Weight:
33 – 44 pounds
Lifespan:
12 – 15 years
Colors:
Black and white, fawn and white, fawn
Suitable for:
Inactive families looking for a laid-back and social dog
Temperament:
Loyal, low maintenance, sociable, gentle
Of course, a breed that’s great for one family might not be great for another. Even though Basset Artesien Normands are generally a great breed, not all families should opt for this laid-back pup. To find out if a Basset Artesien Normand is right for you, keep reading.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know before deciding on a Basset Artesien Normand. This can help you get a dog that fits your personality and household perfectly. Without further ado, let’s get the scoop on this breed.
Basset Artesien Normand Characteristics
Basset Artesien Normand Puppies
Basset Artesien Normands are a bit expensive as puppies. Currently, there is a disparity in prices for this dog breed, meaning low prices for these puppies tend to mean there is some sort of illness or issue, whereas high-end puppies are really not worth the price. When you find a breeder, make sure to ask them all the necessary questions to ensure their practices are ethical. Ask to meet the puppy’s parents and make sure they share all the medical records of the puppy with you. Finding a Basset Artesien Normand in a shelter might not be so common, but you can always ask and you might be surprised!
When you welcome a Basset Artesien Normand puppy into your home, be ready to have a loving dog by your side. These pups are not very energetic, so they do well with families that aren’t too active. Their lazy and laid-back attitude makes them great for elder people as well.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Basset Artesien Normand
Basset Artesien Normands are one of the best family dogs in terms of sociability. These dogs were bred as pack dogs, meaning they do great with other people, children, and pets. Just about any household will be complemented wonderfully with a Basset Artesien Normand.
At the same time, these dogs are really intelligent. They like having mental stimulation and can sometimes wander off to satisfy their desires to smell and see new things.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?🧑🧑🧒
Yes! Basset Artesien Normands are great family dogs because they are gentle and sociable. They love their owners and are really gentle around children. You don’t have to worry much about this breed being aggressive to anyone in your household.
Of course, you need to supervise any playtime between a dog and a child. This will ensure that the child is playing with the dog appropriately, helping to prevent it from becoming irritated or aggressive. Additionally, try to teach your child appropriate ways to play with the dog.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
Also, yes. Basset Artesien Normands are not known for being aggressive to dogs and most other pets. They tend to be too lazy to show any real signs of aggression!
That being said, they were originally bred for hunting, meaning that they may be aggressive to small exotic animals, such as guinea pigs. Luckily, their lazy nature makes it unlikely for them to get ahold of small pets who are safely kept inside their cage.
Things to Know When Owning a Basset Artesien Normand:
Because these dogs are so social and laid back, they aren’t necessarily the best dog for an active family. If you want a dog that can keep up with you and your kids, Basset Artesien Normands aren’t the dog for you. Select a more energetic and active breed instead.
More so, they can easily become obese and find themselves susceptible to a number of health conditions. It’s important to be aware of these facts beforehand so that you can implement healthy habits from an early age.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Basset Artesien Normands can be pretty lazy. As a result, you need to put a Basset Artesien Normand on a strict diet. Select a dog food that has a high protein and fat content with a low carb content. Wet dog food will likely be the best because it offers the least amount of carbohydrates.
Try not to feed Basset Artesien Normands too many table scraps either. Although the occasional treat is certainly welcomed, these dogs can get fat really fast because of their laid-back nature. Feeding them too many table scraps is a surefire way to make the dog obese.
Exercise 🐕
In terms of exercise, Basset Artesien Normands are incredibly low maintenance. This breed can definitely be really lazy, meaning that they have much lower energy levels than other breeds. It is recommended for Basset Artesien Normands to receive only 30 minutes of activity a day.
You can take your Basset Artesien Normand for a walk, but make sure the walk is not too long. Typically, this breed will let you know when they are tired.
Training 🎾
Although this dog is really social, it has a mind of its own. As a result, training can be a bit of an uphill battle with a Basset Artesien Normand. They like to do their own thing and sometimes wander off whenever they are bored. You need to train them early on for best results.
When you first start training a Basset Artesien Normand, it can be a bit difficult at first. Once the dog starts trusting you more and learns the commands, however, it will likely start listening and remain obedient to your commands.
Grooming ✂️
Basset Artesien Normands can be slightly high maintenance when it comes to grooming, but they are not that bad to take care of. You should brush their coat once a week to keep shedding at bay.
The most difficult part of their grooming needs is maintaining their nails. Because the breed is not very active, their nails do not naturally stay filed down. You will need to trim the nails for them so that they don’t grow uncomfortably too long.
- You might also want to check out: 11 Best Dog Wipes: Reviews & Top Picks
Health and Conditions 🏥
Basset Artesien Normands have a couple of breed-specific conditions. Some are more serious than others. Knowing about these conditions while your dog is still young can help you do things to fight illnesses and premature aging.
- Ear infections
- Weight gain
- Hip dysplasia
- Invertible disc problems
Minor Conditions
- Ear infections: For ear infections, you will likely need to visit your vet for ear medication. You can notice when a dog gets an ear infection by a weird odor and them constantly itching their ears.
- Weight gain: As we have already mentioned multiple times, the breed can also become overweight because they are lazy. Make sure they get their 30 minutes of exercise and keep them on a strict diet to maintain a healthy weight.
Serious Conditions
- Hip dysplasia & Invertible disc problems are serious problems that many Basset Artesien Normands face. This is especially true for dogs that are overweight or were obese at a young age. You can feed your Basset Artesien Normand a healthy diet to help fight these concerns.
Male vs Female
There is very little difference between male and female Basset Artesien Normands. Their sizes are really similar and so are their personalities.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Basset Artesien Normand
1. Though they look similar, they are NOT Basset Hounds.
At first glance, many people mistake Basset Artesien Normands for Basset Hounds because of their very similar appearances, namely floppy ears and long body. These dogs look so similar, in fact, that people insist they are the same type of dog as a Basset Hound. This is simply not true, though the two dog types do share common ancestry.
2. Basset Artesien Normands are not recognized by the AKC.
Even though this dog has a history that dates back to the 1800s, the breed is not recognized by the AKC. The breed is recognized by the FCI and UKC, though. In the FCI, it is classified as a group 6 scent hound, whereas the UKC simply classifies it as a scent hound.
3. They come in two sizes… maybe.
Many breeds come in a standard size and a miniature size. The same is true for the Basset Artesien Normand, but there is no name to separate the two sizes. Basset Artesien Normands are either medium sized, weighing between 15 pounds and 35 pounds, or large sized, weighing between 35 pounds and 55 pounds.
Interestingly, there is actually some debate concerning whether or not the breed should be separated into two sizes, or if they just happen to show some variation, as is normal with any breed. It will be interesting to see if this breed gains more size distinctions in the future.
Conclusion
Basset Artesien Normands are great family dogs, especially for families that are not very active or elderly. Because of this dog’s lazy and laid-back nature, it is a perfect addition to most inactive households, but it isn’t the right breed for you if you want an energetic pup.
You do need to put a little effort into the training process, though, because this breed certainly can have a mind of its own. If you take the time to train a Basset Artesien Normand right, though, you will be more than pleased to have a dog that is loyal, snuggly, and ready to nap.
Featured Image Credit: Eric Isselee, Shutterstock
