2hounds

As Belinda said: doesn't really matter as long as you love them. Just because yours do events or whatever does not by any means you love yours any more or less than someone else who does not do events. Who are you to judge?

~Heather

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Midge n Hazley

Thanks, I appreciate your prayers. I kinda felt guilty about there being TMI there, so I deleted it.

Dean

Actually running bassets in the field and competing in hunts or field trials does not require much time. In the AHBA events, such as the hunt at Elizabethtown, PA on the 14th &15th, we welcome novice hounds and owners. The grounds are fully fenced so no basset can be lost. We take small packs of hounds out release them and they have one hour to run around and try to find a bunny. A novice hound may not do well, and the more they run rabbits, the better they become, but even with no training, many bassets will naturally start tracking. They also learn from the other hounds
There is one local couple who own 5 pure pet bassets and their oldest hound has become a good rabbit hound

Midge n Hazley

LOL, I guess not much time is all relative! A one day trial is that, a whole day! If you run and leave, sure, not much time. But most will want to do it properly, which definitely includes the important human socialization + refreshments = entire day. Not that I'm complaining :P I so enjoyed it!

Mikey T

It very much depends on the breed, it seams those breeds that have there own exclusive registrry like Austrialian Shephards, Border collies and jack russelL terriers have a much higher participation rates than other breed. Toy breeds in general a much lowerer rate as that is they were bred for being companion and nothing else in the first place.

IMHO there is a vast majority of basset owner that view them very similairly to cats as pets. A relatively low maintaince pet, low activity, low grooming, little training because they can't be taught in the first place. As such they are missing out on a lot of the potential joy of being a basset owner.


Uhm that is not what Balinda said at all. It is virtual impossible to explain to someone with not intention or inclination to "participate" with their dog but those of us that do all have had a dog at one time or anouther that was "just a pet" an to a person I have have never pet anyone that they did not have a closer relationship with a dog they partcipated with than one they did not. Through participation you learn more about the dog and yourself, improve the relationship and learn to communicate better with future dogs as well. Participate does not mean compete. Some of the moste obiedient and well trained dogs never have seen an obedience ring, just as some of the best hunting dogs have never been to a field trial.

You can add Macey to that mix as well as one of those novice dogs that improves every time out, but only has the experience of the Field Trial itself for training because of a lack of local grounds to run on.

Dean

I assumed they were referring to the amount of time it takes to train hounds for top competition. That does take some time and as you know, you may need a training area.
To come to a hunt and let the hound have some fun does not take much time, just the travel and event time.

Belinda

To clarify my post and further explain what Michael said in regards to my post: people who participate with their dogs in performance events DEFINITELY have a closer bond with and understanding of their dogs. This doesn't mean that you don't love your dogs as much, but the two things are separate entities. I have a Lab who, due to physical restraints, is a pet. I love him to pieces, but because I can't "work" with him, we have a different relationship than I have with my other dogs. Not lesser, just different. I consider my working dogs partners, we're a team. Whether it be doing obedience, rally, hunt tests or advertising work. And I chose not to have children, and I chose a career that allows me the freedom to participate in dog events, so I have the time and resources to participate in performance events. Alot of people do not. I feel very lucky to be able to immerse myself in this lifestyle. Most people don't want to. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. As I said, whatever floats your boat! Take care all and love your Bassets!! Belinda.

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RaeChill

It's odd to me that anyone would think they can "definitely" know how close someone else is to their dogs. Everyone is different. Every dog/human relationship is different. Participating in performance events is a great way to bond with your dogs, not the only way or always the best way.

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potatoroad11

i am 8 i do not understand.

smitte21

Congrats... I'm hoping to gain a few Rally titles on our girl as well. I wanted to finish her championship first as some had said there could be issues with sitting in the ring and with training them for Rally and Conformaiton at the same time. So now that we are finished we've taken our first round of rally classes and are hoping to do another couple rounds and perhaps get a Rally Advanced. I'm pretty sure we could get a Novice now but I want to work on a few signs first to get them more consistent.

By the way... I've never actually seen a long haired basset before. Actually it's rather neat looking.

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