bassets

[priyawarekar]

I am reading books about bassets and also searching for articles on the net but what i wanna know from people who had a basset or has one now.Books will not tell me the information i want. So please please anyone with bassets can tell me their experiances

[woofgang]

can you be a bit more precise about what information you want?

[drgnrdr]

You could get 1000's of replys on this but it will only give you an ideal about what YOUR basset would be like, they are not cloned. Every one is an individual, with different behaviors and subtle differences in attitudes. Depending on their genetics, what the breeder does for them when they are babies and how you raise them. And just because they are say, brother and sister they will still be slightly different, in your other post lankeela gave you a link which gives you info about basset's.

I am sure if anyone has a basset on here they can tell you how THEIR's is, and what to expect which is what you may be asking... I do know from those I've trained that they are not as quick to comply to commands (but I did not say they are not smart) as some, but they did learn everything I taught them, but you have to realize what a basset was bred to do. If you're looking for one to do agility with, I don't think they are the dog for you, it would require allot of work to get them to do this without putting their nose to the ground to smell where the other dogs and feet tracking on the floor were before them. If you want a dog that walks along beside you and stares at your face adoringly during obedience trials, this dog isn't for you, again allot of work would be required to get them to do this.

If you want a lovable ( if genetics and socializing properly is met) dog whose ears get stepped on and food gets attached to, who has a hound baying sound for a bark, and is laid back and easier going, will put his nose to the ground and track something and won't stop till he either looses the scent or runs into something cuz his head wasn't up to see it, then something that is vertically challenged and a member of the hound group, basset, is for you. Good luck on your thread, hope some people can give you their experience with raising a Basset.

[lankeela]

You don't say whee you live, but in March Crufts is on at the NEC in Birmingham. They have a section called Discover Dogs, where members of every breed club bring their dogs for people to meet and discuss, and decide whether it is the breed for them. You would be able to ask any questions and see what the owners say about their dogs.

Don't get the idea that this is just to get people to buy their puppies - in my breed we actively discourage people from having one unless they know what they are taking on and are determined to have one.

If you cannot get to Crufts, let me know where you live and I will let you know of any dog shows in your area.

If you are in another country, most countries have dog shows and you would be able to visit and speak to owners and breeders.

[Pajama Girl]

Here are a few things that books and starry-eyed fanciers might not say about bassets:

They have a loving nature and are very stubborn.

They train faster to whistle and/or clicker training rather than verbal commands. Some people think that their big heavy ears muffle the sound of the human voice.

Be consistent and persistent about house training. This is the top reason bassets are rescued or turned in for rehoming.

Keep their weight down. Proper weight promotes heart- and joint-health.

When looking for a pet, choose a responsible breeder of bassets and look for the puppy with bowed (not twisted) front legs. Bowed front legs are a strong breed character.

They like to roam so keep them on a leash and behind a sturdy fence.

[lankeela]

Bassets can suffer from a hereditary condition of the eyes called Glaucoma which causes increased intraocular pressure sufficient to cause ocular damage. Make sure the parents have been checked with a test known as Gonioscopy.

[lankeela]

Here is another link to Basset health

http://www.basset.net/disorders.html