Basset Hounds on TV

In Smokey and the Bandit, Cledus "Snowman" Snow keeps a Basset Hound named Fred for company when driving the bandits truck.

Fred became a true star of the show stealing the limelight from some the shows real stars. It is said that the screen time of Fred was cut in the sequel due to complaints by Sally Field on being upstaged by the dog.

A Basset Hound named "Dog" appears in Columbo for the first time in the Etude In Black episode. Columbo picks Dog up from the pound and spend most of the show trying to come up with a name for his new friend.

Initial names suggested were "Fido", "Munch", "Jet" and "Beethoven" but they settled on "Dog".

Dog would often bark and run at the wrong times, and his magnificently lethargic style made him the perfect dog for Columbo.

Dog enjoyed ice cream, swimming in the neighbours pool and watching television. Dog was also believed to be in love with the neighbours Cocker Spaniel.

A Basset Hound, named "Flash", made its first appearance in the third season episode "Enos Strate to the Top" of the 1980's TV series "Dukes of Hazzard". Flash was owned by Rosco P. Coltrane (James Best), the Sheriff of Hazzard County.

Rosco bought Flash from an ad in the Police Gazette magazine and affectionately called her "Velvet Ears". In earlier episodes there was some confusion as to the sex of the Basset Hound, and Flash is referred to as a "he" on several occasions. In later episodes they settled on Flash being a "she".

Tiny Toon Adventures was an animated television series that aired between 1990 and 1995. One of the characters of Tiny Toon Adventures was a Basset Hound named "Byron Basset" (voiced by Frank Welker).

Byron was a Tri-Colour male basset hound with a slow and lazy nature. He was the pet of Elmyra Duff living in her house.

According to creator Tom Ruegger, Byron was also based on his family dog, a basset hound named Lucy which actually protected some baby birds from a cat similar to the episode segment "Bird-Dog Afternoon".

To turn around, Byron would pull his head and tail inside the folds of his body and out the other side. He also flies in the Tiny Toons movie "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" using the stretches in his skin to glide through the air.

Byron does not speak at all, just letting out a woof or ruff.

The People's Choice was an American television sitcom that aired between 1955 and 1958.

The star of the show was a Basset Hound named Cleo (voiced by Mary Jane Croft). Cleo was so well-liked that the popularity of Basset Hounds soured with the success of the show. Still today, Cleo is a very popular name with basset pets in respect of Cleo the dog from The People's Choice.

Basset Hound Care

Taking good general care of your basset hound will provide it with a long healthy and enjoyable life. Ensure your basset hound follows a lifestyle that meets their exercise and nutritional needs.

Cleaning a basset hounds ears

Basset hounds with their long and floppy ears are an easily recognisable breed. As a basset hound goes about their daily activities their ears pick up dirt from the ground. A bassets ears retain moisture very well, which along with collected dirt can lead to an ear infection. It is important to regularly check and clean their ears.