Basset hounds

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rubyred

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Don't post very often but was hoping people could give me some advice on bassets. OH has wanted one for a long time and we move into our own house soon so it is becoming a possibility. He hasn't had his own dog before and I've only had terriers so would like peoples experiences of hounds in general. I've done the research and think they would fit our lifestyle from what's written on the internet but you can't beat first hand!
We are thinking of getting a puppy as I think my patterdale will accept it better, is this likely to be true? He will behave either way but I would like them to be friends rather than him just tolerate the new comer!
I have never had more than one dog so any advice on this would be great.
Thanks in advance.
 
Hi, I kennel for Basset Hound Welfare. We get hounds in for all reasons but the commonest is the people & hound didn't suit.

Actually 30% (possibly more) of rescues in this region come from one of two puppy farms/dealers and the common problem is the people were sold puppies without being informed what they were buying or being told what they wanted to hear rather than the truth.

Last year we had a seven month old pup handed in that was far too exuberant and he had "more than the 20 minutes exercise a day they were told would be enough"!

Scent hounds are not the same as sighthounds just as your patterdale will have a different outlook to a bull terrier.
Bassets are perceived as easy, soulful, slobbish companions where they are actually active, wilful & need discipline. They can be horrendous teenagers but very easy once they settle down. As a pack hound they are usually sociable both with other dogs and people but of course there are exceptions and unfortunately some of commercial lines are not selected for temperament. If you contact the Basset Hound Club they have people who welcome visitors ( who don't have cute puppies around.) or turn up at one of the fun days and meet lots of people who don't show but turn up with their dogs for a day out.

Basset obedience is a wonderful spectator sport!

I would say an older basset of the opposite gender to your dog would be the easiest option. Puppies take more work and the established dog is more likely to grump about this than a new dog in his space.
PM me for local contacts.
 
Could I also suggest you send a PM to Angua2 (in case she doesn't see this), who has a lot of experience with Bassetts. I'm sure she'll be happy to help.
 
there are loads of really poor examples of the breed out there that come from puppy farms, so avoid ads in the paper. IME they can be really stubborn and not all that willing/easy to train. They are a damn sight stronger and more hefty that you might first think. They can also be noisy and the bark/bay whatever it is can take some getting used to:o

lol, not my all time fave breed but each to their own.:)

whatever you decide,make sure any pup you get has been and come from properly health tested lines, there are a lot with health problems out there, fairly horrid ones.
 
The training is the element I'm most worried about! Think I will make sure I have some people to help before I leap in. Any recommendations for someone who would be good with bassets in ayrshire?
 
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