Buying a Basset Hound?

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What to Look For When Purchasing a Basset Hound

Any basset hound lover has an opinion on what to look for in basset hounds or how to raise them or what to feed them or anything.  We've taken a somewhat different approach to raising our puppies.  Unlike most breeders, we raise them in the house before they are taken to their new homes, we spend time with them, start their potty-training and we let them spend time away from their mommy and one another so they are not culture-shocked when they are abruptly taken to their new home.  Our children spend play time with them almost from the day they are born.  All of these things help a basset hound and his new family adjust to life away from the litter and its mother.  These things also help to socialize the puppies so they are not territorial or afraid of new faces.  Raising puppies around children ensures the adult basset hound will be tolerant of children.

 

Important Things to Know 

The basset hound was originally bred for hunting small game such as rabbits. The breed's long ears help them to stir up and maintain a scent while following prey.
 

 

 
  
1.  Bassets are not watchdogs.  Choose a basset hound if you want a friendly, loyal companion. They are not aggressive watchdogs but will bark and howl if they feel their 'territory' is threatened by another dog.
 
2.  As we have discovered, bassets are a wonderful family dog. They are usually tolerant and gentle with children.
 
3.  Don't like a drooling dog?  Basset hounds tend to slobber more than other breeds.  Worried about shedding?  Brushing your Basset once a week should minimize shedding.
 
4.  As we have mentioned on previous pages, bassets get along very well with other breeds of dog.  Feel confident that a basset will adjust easily to another dog.  If you have another dog that is territorial and aggressive, think twice about buying or adopting any other breed. 
 
5.  Basset hounds may be short and look small, but the breed is a medium to large dog.  Adult males weigh between 55 and 75 pounds and stand less than 15 inches at the shoulder. The female is usually about 10 pounds lighter and an inch shorter than the male.  Basset hounds, more so than most dogs, will eat almost anything except pickles!  Make sure they don't overeat.  In their later years, without the proper diet and exercise, bassets will become overweight.  An overweight basset hound will encounter many new health problems from joint problems to cardiovascular deficiency.

Prepare Your Home For a Basset Hound

As with any new pet, prepare your home for a new basset hound.

  • House training a basset hound can be difficult.  Bassets are more stubborn than most breeds but can be trained with consistency and patience.  Take them outside immediately in the morning to take care of business and don't let them back in until they are finished.  Bassets as with most breeds will not dirty their sleeping quarters so make sure that you have a 'bed' for your new basset.
  • Some bassets like to chew.  If you don't want your home destroyed by a puppy, allow the basset little geographical freedom until they have outgrown the chewing stage.  Give them chew toys or chew treats to keep the chewing to a minimum and to help clean their teeth.
  • Bassets need companionship.  They were bred to be pack hunters.  They yearn for interaction, whether it be with a person, another dog or a cat.  These dogs do not like to be left alone.  They will howl if left alone for a long period of time.
  • If you cherish your big cushy chair like I do, be firm and consistent with your new puppy in regard to furniture.  A basset likes nothing more than lazing around on the couch or lazy boy.
  • Table scraps are usually ok in small infrequent doses.  Bassets tend to eat anything they see and will become overweight without proper diet and excercise.

 

 

 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 

Basset hounds are sometimes portayed to be a "lazy dog".  While they no doubt have their lazy moments - especially on the couch or on a big soft bed - do not buy a basset hound thinking this is going to be an easy dog that always lays in the corner.  First of all they usually lay in your space because they want to be in the middle of everything.  They very much enjoy being part of someone's family.  Second, they can be very active.  They were bred to have amazing stamina while running trails - they can run fast and for long periods (which is why they have the big thick pads on the bottom of their feet)!  As puppies they are like any puppy, they love to play hard but when they crash - they crash.  And they're usually down for quite a while.