Three Basset Hound Pups Yawned on the Couch, One After Another

Pink tongues curled, eyes squeezed shut, jaws stretched wide: three lemon and white Basset Hound puppies are caught mid-yawn, lined up on a couch like a very sleepy choir. Their long, velvety ears hang straight down, and their white chests and big paws sit neatly on the cushions. A lamp glows, a framed photo and books wait on the side table, and a plaid blanket is draped over the sofa arm.

Basset Hounds are famous for their droopy, soulful looks, and those long ears are more than decoration. The breed was developed in Europe to follow scents close to the ground, and the ears are thought to help sweep smells toward the nose. They are gentle, mellow dogs that are often good with children and other pets. Their ears can trap moisture and dirt, so ask your vet how to clean them safely and how often. Bassets have heavy bodies on short legs, which means stairs and high jumps can be hard on them. Lift a puppy with support under the chest and hindquarters, and use a ramp or stool for the couch. Keep a close eye on their weight, because extra pounds are tough on that long frame.

The three of them look ready for a long afternoon of doing absolutely nothing. A yawn is infectious, and in this row it has clearly gone all the way around.