Picture taken from www.dailypuppy.com
From the desk of Sharda Baker.
Hi and Welcome Everyone!
This is Sharda with another Basset Hound newsletter!
Are you thinking of getting yourself a Basset Hound?
Before you do that, take a moment and read this newsletter to better acquaint yourself and have a closer look at the Basset Hound traits.
Let’s start!
THE BASSET HOUND IS STUBBORN AND WILLFUL
It’s a fact. Basset Hounds are terribly stubborn. It can be quite frustrating because they won’t listen and don’t really care about pleasing you, unlike Golden Retrievers.
You really need to show them that you’re the boss or get ready to be pushed around. In fact, the joke usually is that a Basset Dog owns one!
THE BASSET HOUND IS PRONE TO OBESITY
This is a fact too! Basset Hounds are prone to obesity and need to be exercised because they won’t do it on their own.
They need a brisk daily walk and regulated diets. Since they are scent category dogs they can get the whiff of food anywhere.
Some owners have had problems like putting a dish on the table, leaving it there to attend a phone call and coming back to see the Basset Hound having a snack!
So as is clear obesity is a problem.
THE BASSET HOUND CAN BE SLOW TO TRAIN
Basset Hounds are not immune to housebreaking but they do resist it. You will need at least four to six months of patient training and unwavering crate training.
However, even after the training they might not obey your calls or do your bidding. If you love them enough, you’ll be able to live with it!
THE BASSET HOUND HAS A TENDENCY TO BARK NOISILY
When it comes to barking no breed can beat a Basset Hound! Make sure you make it a rule never to leave a Basset Dog alone in the yard or house, because he will howl his heart out.
A Basset’s bark is piercing and echoes so much that it carries far and wide. It is quite deafening to neighbours who won’t consider it a bit musical, the way you might.
A Basset Hound does have a noisy bark but it’s something any owner can avoid by making sure he gets adequate attention and company.
It’s a social breed and protests terribly loudly when alone!
THE BASSET HOUND IS A DROOLING PET
Basset Hound drool and males drool more. They drool if they are excited or panicky. You will see drool everywhere in your home; so if you are finicky, think again about bringing one home.
However, some of this breed does have dry mouths. If your pet is one of these, keep his coat dry too.
DID YOU KNOW THAT:
- General Lafayette gave a pair Basset Hounds to George Washington as a gift?
- During the French Revolution, this breed came in for some suffering too because they were favourites with the French aristocracy?
- The main use of a Basset Hound in USA is to hunt for rabbits?
- A Basset Hound might not be as big but his sense of smell is rated second after the Bloodhound?
- Way back in 1956, when Elvis Presley came on the “The Steve Allen Show” wearing a tux – guess what number he belted out? He sang his famous “Hound Dog” to a Basset Hound sitting on a stool! Everything went great except that the Basset Hound casually peed on stage?
That’s it for today!
I hope that you enjoyed and learned something important in today’s newsletter.
All the best and take care.
Warmly,
Sharda Baker