Basset Hound Breeders: Good And Bad

From the desk of Sharda Baker.

Hi and Welcome Everyone!

This is Sharda with another Basset Hound newsletter!

Choosing a Basset Hound breeder can be quite tricky because there are certainly bad Basset Hound breeders that are simply out there to make an easy buck.

So, to help you spot good Basset Hound breeders here are some tips.

Let’s start shall we?

GOOD BASSET HOUND BREEDER TIPS

• Good breeders usually keep one puppy from a litter
• Their interest in the breed will extend to more than just breeding: dog club memberships, show and match ribbons, Championship or performance (obedience, agility, tracking, field) titles
• They are not interested in selling for selling’s sake. They may tell you that a Basset Hound dog is not the right pet for you
• Have a written contract and guarantee for you
• They will give you a registration slip, the puppy’s pedigree, and updated shots/health records
• They are willing to talk about problems, genetic disorders, common diseases of the breed
• They will volunteer to help you and offer you advice on raising a Basset Hound PuppyThey do not breed Basset Hound dogs more than one or two litters a year
• They will never claim that their stock is picture perfect. Nor will they say that each one is show/breeding quality
• They will admit that their breed may have a few problems
• They will not sell puppies that are less than 7-10 ten weeks old
• They will always sell a puppy with proper documentation /records / registration slip and pedigree going back at least for 3 generations) or charge for papers
• You should also beware of some words used by the classifieds or a breeder. For example: rare. Rare is not exactly a desirable trait. It could be a fault in the breed standard. It may mean a more expensive proposition, that’s all
• If the Basset Hound Breeder says the dog is a ‘champion’, ask him what he means. A champion earns points in a competition. Blue ribbons do not qualify as a championship. If he says the dog is a grand champion, find out more
• Champion lines are another matter. Most purebreds have some champions in their lineage. One parent and a major number of dogs should have a championship title
• If he says they are OFA puppies, look skeptical. OFA is the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, where dogs are examined for hip dysplasia. Basset Hound dogs must be at least two years of age to be examined
• The AKC registers dogs of the recognized breeds and whose parents were also registered. It is good to have this registration but it is no indication of a healthy pup or a responsible breeder.

SOME QUESTIONS THE BASSET HOUND BREEDER MAY ASK YOU
A good Basset Hound Breeder is judged not just by the answers he gives you but also the questions he puts to you. So be prepared for some of these questions:

• Are you a dog owner? Have you ever owned a Basset Hound? The breeder needs to satisfy himself that he is not sending his puppy to a person who is doing this for a lark /experimenting or just trying something new.
• Why have you chosen a Basset Hound? He will obviously want to know if you know enough about the Basset Hound’s temperament to own him. Besides, he will want to reassure himself about your lifestyle.
• Are you planning to use a leash? Have you fenced your yard? Basset Hounds are notorious for running off after a scent so you need to be careful.
• Where will you keep your Basset Hound? Your Basset Hound needs company, caring and love. He will want to be with you. Do you have the space and time for him?
• Will the puppy be all by himself for long periods? Your pet cannot be left alone since by nature, he needs to be with people. Besides, he craves for human company. Another cat or dog in the house will be good company if you are not there.
• Are you ready to spay or neuter your pet? This is needed for the protection of the breed.
• Are you aware of the maintenance costs? You should realize that costs could mount –trips to the vet, grooming costs, feeding and so on.
• Does everyone in your family want a Basset Hound dog in particular? This is important because the whole family should take care of your pet. A loving family will help develop a loving pet.

That’s it for today.

I really hope that you learned something important in today’s newsletter.

Again, remember to ask a lot of questions and to always be vigilant.

I’ll be back with more Basset Hound information soon.

So, until then!

All the best and take care.

Warmly,
Sharda Baker