Ouestion about basset's heads

[Kelsey3]

Should a bassets head be flat or come to a peak? I have check the AKC and CKC standards and seem to still be confused! My one basset is 5 months and seems to developed the "hammer" head as some breeders call it! the middle back of her skull is a point, not like my other bassets. And some how was thinking she doesn't fit the standards Either way i love her, and nothing will change that, but i am curious to know if anyone has seen this happen or if she will growing into it.

[Cassiepeia]

Hmmm...Is it possible for you to get a couple of pictures of your dogs heads so we can see what you're talking about (so there is no confusion)?

Cass.

EDIT: Actually I just checked the AKC standard and it does say

The skull is well domed, showing a pronounced occipital protuberance. A broad flat skull is a fault.

The 'occipital' bone is at the back of the skull. So perhaps that answers the question?

[Kelsey3]

Heres a good picture of how high it comes up!

[Kelsey3]

here's another picture

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

I'm far from up on the breed as a whole or know for sure what age they reach their full maturity but I would imagine at five months she still has alot of growing to do and like most dogs, that head can change shape many times as it "comes on".

My advice would be to check with a few reputable breeders on it. No matter what she suuure is cute!

[Kelsey3]

Thanks She knows she is cute too!

[Cassiepeia]

She's definately a cutie!
From the photos of Bassets I've seen her head shape looks perfectly normal. Although I'm just going by pictures.

Cass.

[Shadowkins]

Sorry, I can't help...but I just had to tell you how cute your pup is. I agree with Crossfire and Cass, your baby is awfully young yet and the shape of her head can change alot as she is growing.

[Kelsey3]

Yeah it could be just the age. I don't know, she seems to me to have a very pointy head! But she could be growing differently than my other. But like i said she loved so much! The other thing is she 2 different colored eyes, and that's what may me think about the head.
If you look at the first picture i posted, her "right" eye to us, has dark skin just below the eye, and the "left" eye, has clear!This is not a basset hound trait, i believe it's from bad breeding

[rmci]

maybe it's a different type of basset:

Today's Basset Artésien Normand superficially looks like a basset hound. But only superficially. First of all, there is the size difference. While a basset hound's weight--depending on the sex and bloodlines--is between 45 and 70 pounds, the Basset Artésien Normand's is around 30-35. While the basset hound has lots of extra skin and massive bones, the Basset Artésien Normand lacks both. While the basset hound's head has a pronounced occiput, the Basset Artésien Normand's skull is quite flat. While the basset hound's earset is supposed to be low--below eye level--the Basset Artésien Normand's earset, at least in comparison to our basset hound, is quite high. While our basset's eyes are supposed to be slightly sunken, showing a prominent haw, the Basset Artésien Normand's eyes are round and lack the necessary haw that gives the basset hound such a doleful appearance. While the basset's lips are pendulous and the dewlap pronounced, the Artésien Normand has a long muzzle, lacks a dewlap, and its head, as opposed to the basset hound, is quite refined.

http://www.basset.net/balogh2.html#link1
I just reread what I posted and this type of basset has a flat head- OOPS!
It does mention the haw of the eye, but I guess this doesn't really apply.
As puppies grow older, the shape of their heads do change. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[Kelsey3]

yeah i believe she is a basset hound, but she is not papered, so it opens that window up to being God knows what! But again mostly curious, it won't change nothing between me and her what so ever. But just seems a little strange.

[flyndog]

Her head looks fine to me, too. The occipital "bump" on some dogs breeds is more pronounced. Bassets should not have flat heads.
Kit

[SunGurl372]

My parents have a purebred papered Bassett (not familiar with the breeder, so we know that might not amount for much), but his dome is pretty pointy, and he's over five years old. I think she looks fine.

[giantlover]

We basset owners call that occipital bone the "bump of knowledge" It should be pretty pronounced.

This is my basset hound, Daisy


Mom to daisy, maggie chloe moose and foster mom to rogue

[Kelsey3]

Beautiful bassets guys! I just can't get enough of them!