temperment of basset hounds

[FrenchHen]

Husband wants a basset hound.
What are they like?
Going by appearances, they'd be lazy mush dogs.

Are they OK with kids?

I realize that every animal is unique, but generally what are they like?

 

[Judymae]

I have one full blooded basset hound, Sadie, that is almost a year old. She is really really really smart. I was impressed with her behavior in the house. She is almost totally housebroke!!! Which really makes me happy. She will whine like crazy if she needs to go out. The only issue with have with her is not her fault....the breeder sold her too young. When we bought her and took her to the vet the next morning the vet said she was barely 4 weeks old if that!!! I called the breeder back and of course the phone had been disconnected! Anyways...since she had been taken from the momma so early she developed an allergy to wheat and corn. Most dog foods contain one or both! So Sadie is on Nature's Own in the purple bag. It is made from herring fish and potatoes. Very expensive and doesn't contain enough fat for a growing puppy so I have to give her a supplement. Sadie is a hoot!!! I just love her sooo much.

We also have a basset/golden retriever mix. Sassy is so much fun. People stop in front of our house just to ask us what kind of dog she is!! Looks just like a golden retriever with the shortest legs you've ever seen. When she swims in our neighbors pond she looks like the loch ness monster. We should have named her nessie!!!

Bassets told normally tend to be lazy.....not mine atleast. They are very stubborn though. During training you have to be very persistant with them. They will act like they can't hear you!!! That's the funniest thing because the whole time they will be looking at you outta the corner of one of their droopy little eyes! Good luck!! And BTW, my hubby is the reason we have both of ours!!!!!!

 

[Judymae]

Oh I forgot~ours are both wonderful with the kids. They actually respond better to them than me!

 

[walkswithdog]

Don't be decieved by appearances. Young bassets are active, heavy dogs, distinct pullers on leash. Some, depending on origin can be very hard to housetrain. An easy one is a joy and rare.

Bassets follow that nose, as most hunting hounds will. Off leash they tend to be unreliable - because there goes the nose.................................................................. and there they go.

Despite height they really are a short/large breed dog. Lines vary as to activity level but most are much more active than people expect - hence the very full basset rescues.

Adopting an older dog from rescue can help you tailor what you get, a foster home already knows how active, or not, a given dog is, whether they're fond of other breeds or not (not all are), whether they're cat safe, whether they do love kids. Because not all of them will love kids, many think cats are chew toys or don't get along with other breeds.

It's actually almost impossible to find a responsible basset breeder. They're a very impulse breed. Most are like the one mentioned, sell the puppy, disconnect the phone.

Rescues also screen for (and treat) the many health conditions bassets, especially poorly bred ones, are subject to, another advantage over buying a puppy.

They can be awesome, if you are prepared to meet their needs for exercise. Obesity is a common, common problem that creates huge other problems in the breed. They actually need lots of good consistent, regular exercise. They aren't typically the fastest most willing of dogs in obedience classes but early training really helps.

Obese bassets do slow down, but it's a by product of being crippled or killed by fat. Not a good out come.

They can be terrific, loving, wonderful dogs in the right homes. Many are sensitive to corn/wheat/soy. Many will smell more doggy/houndy than other breeds. They ALL need their ears carefully watched, cleaned and maintained because them long things infect at the blink of an eye.

Most are wonderful with kids and other hounds.

Please consider a dog already in rescue. They need you.

 

[FrenchHen]

A rescue dog would be perfect, as would a mixed breed. We don't like the idea of paying bug $$$ for a dog when the shelter has so many.

Husband loves to walk, so exercise is a given.

Are they slobbery?

 

[toletiquesbysam]

My 1st dog was a basset hound-Eunice...they will alway hold a special place in my heart!!

My SIL has 2 of them and she has young children, they are just fine and really great dogs to have. Hope you get one and enjoy!!!

 

[Cara]

Never had a Basset, but i've had a Black and Tan Coonhound and two Bloodhounds.

They were all easy to housebreak, but were all females. Unneutered male hounds can be more troublesome combining the sense of smell with the desire to mark territory.

The most important thing to remember is to never ever let them off leash in an unfenced area. This sounds minor until you take into account the exercise demands, and worry of them escaping or being let out by mistake. I lost my Coonhound this way and it was devastating. As well as they might (might being the operative word) mind in the house or the yard, they cannot listen when they are on the trail of something good. The hound breeds were bred not to be distracted from a trail, and a lot of the time it is not disobedience, they genuinely are oblivious. I've often accidentally made them jump while they're into something good, and I can't count how many times my Bloodhound has been bitten by the goose while she's sniffing something interesting. The wrinkles act as blinders when their heads are down, so a loose hound is often a dead hound near traffic.

They vary in terms of trainability, but usually the less obedient, the better the trailing dog! It's not a dominance issue, they have no concept that they should obey like other breeds. They're bred for independent thought, and have no desire to please their owner. You have to approach training like you approach convincing a man to do something; make them think it's their idea.

Hounds do smell a bit too, and their ears require frequent cleaning (2-3 times a week). It's not often something they enjoy. Food aggression is not unusual, but can be prevented if you're strict from the start.

They drool, and when they shake their heads they sling it everywhere. They always seem to rest their head in your lap immediately after having a drink.

The good stuff:

They are extremely entertaining, and very loving. They'll put you in your place pretty quick if you think you're in control. Their ears are like velvet. They are kind-hearted. Despite being difficult to train, they are extremely sensitive and it is quite easy to hurt their feelings.


This applies to most hounds i've known!:

RULES IN A BLOODHOUND'S HOUSE

1. I AM THE KEEPER OF THIS HOUSE. Please do not enter except on
the express invitation of my human. I AM A GENTLE SOUL and I TRULY
HATE VIOLENCE.

2. IMPERTINENT BEHAVIOR is not real popular with me, although
children are exempt from this rule.

3. When I speak, I EXPECT EVERYBODY TO LISTEN. I am capable of
speaking LOUDLY and MELODIOUSLY. Have you ever had a Bloodhound
HOWL directly in your ear?

4. I DO NOT DROOL. Still, if it would make you feel better, my
human will fetch you a towel on command.

5. This is MY HOME and everything in it IS MINE. If you take a toy
that does not belong to you, be prepared for the worst. I am coming
after you and I WILL TRACK YOU BACK TO THE FLOOD.

6. I am a BLOODHOUND. I AM THE NOSE. I am BEAUTIFUL, stubborn,
PLAYFUL, WELL MANNERED, stubborn, SWEET, KIND, stubborn,
INTELLIGENT, stubborn, FRIENDLY, INDEPENDENT, and I can occasionally
be a little stubborn.

7. To all who enter MY HOME, EXPECT A FULL BODY SEARCH PERFORMED BY
ME. IT IS MY DUTY AND IT IS MY RIGHT.

 

[whitecra]

My brother has two and he has an 8 year old son and a 3 year old daughter. They are very good with the kids.
Chris

 

[FrenchHen]

That's hysterical.

I think we'll try a rescue organization to get a better idea of the specific dog.

I bet they snore, too.

 

[Cara]

Quote:
I left that part out. Yes they do!

My Coonhound and first Bloodhound were both rescues. I should have know better than to try an turn a hound from the Leavenworth pound into a SAR dog though! When she wanted to work, she was great. When she didn't, I went on many futile long walks.

All three of them have dearly loved children, the two Bloodhounds worked/work harder when trailing a child. They can tell the difference from the scent.