Basset Fauve De Bretagne

Choose food suited to the Basset Fauve de Bretagne's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior. Feeding needs should also be reconsidered during periods when the dog is actually hunting.

Food can be commercial or home-prepared, but prepare a home diet only with veterinary supervision and approval. Most Fauves benefit from two meals a day; divide the recommended daily portion between a morning meal and another later in the day.

Monitor calorie intake and body weight, and keep treats moderate even when using them for training. Learn which human foods are safe for dogs before sharing any. Ask a veterinarian about weight or diet concerns, and keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

Its coarse, wiry double coat repels dirt and resists matting, which keeps coat care simple. Some dogs carry more coat than others, and longer-coated dogs can be hand-stripped. Shedding is seasonal.

Groom the coat weekly. Work through it first with a fine-toothed comb to lift loose hair, then follow with a stiff brush to smooth the coat and keep it looking healthy and shiny.

Trim the nails regularly to avoid overgrowth and splitting, and check the ears often. Like all dogs, the Fauve also benefits from regular dental care, including at-home teeth brushing and professional cleanings.

Basset Fauves are energetic and love to play. They were bred to hunt, so they need regular, moderate exercise to stay fit and engaged. The Fauve loves time with its people, and daily walks and hikes go a long way toward keeping it happy.

Always keep walks on a leash. This breed will follow its nose and run off at a moment's notice, so fence any yard or play area for the same reason.

Exercise can come indoors too, through hide-and-seek, chasing a ball rolled along the floor, or learning new tricks. This smart breed also does well with focused training for dog sports like agility, obedience, and rally.

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a small scent hound bred to find rabbits, and its nose can overpower its focus unless it learns from an early age to tune in to its human. Because the breed is intelligent, mental stimulation matters as much as physical exercise.

Start training early to help your dog control its impulses. The instinct to hunt can override the urge to please, and the Fauve can be stubborn at times, so a little patience and consistency go a long way.

Training and socialization are essential, and without them a Fauve can get into mischief. A well-socialized Fauve gets along well with children and other pets.