pros and cons of having 2 bassets

monty's mom · 05-09-2007, 05:02 AM

I have the oppertunity to get a 2 year old basset, her owners are relocating and can't take her with, my boyfriend is against the idea and i am obviously for it. Could you please tell me more on what it is like to have 2 bassets and what the implications might be if i take her. Also could you please tell me what i should ask the owners about her eg the need to knows.

Floyd · 05-09-2007, 07:57 AM

My wife and I recently got a second basset ourselves. I would have to say it was one of the better decisions we've made! Here are some of the pros and cons that I've experienced (just to give you a balanced look):

Pros:
If they're not sleeping, they're playing together
Double the amount of basset goofiness
Companionship while mommy and daddy are gone for the day
Lots of snuggling

Cons:
If they're not sleeping, they're playing togther (my boys are constantly "fighting"... cute for awhile, but not when on the phone, watching TV, etc.)
Hair everywhere!
Two highly intelligent minds devising ways to steal your food
Having to fight for a spot on the couch

Obviously the cons aren't that bad and could be pros (except for the hair... our second boy, Fred, has some kind of magical ability to generate hair; it's really bordering on the supernatural!), but your mileage may vary. Definitely check to see if the second basset has any issues with other dogs. I'd also try and get the two of them together to meet to see how they get along. Overall though, if you can do it definitely get a second!

faysie · 05-09-2007, 08:12 AM

It's the best thing we've ever done. It took some time for the real benefits to come into play but they were partners in crime right from the start. It makes ME feel a lot better when I have to leave them for work, or with sitters for the weekend. They have each other. They're more concerned about each other than where I am and what I'm doing, which helps sometimes

The ONLY con ... and it's not really a con ...is the tremendous amount of food you have to buy. Two dogs go throught the bags quickly unless you get the large size. The bags of food are too big for me to lift so the husband has to go to Petsmart now.

If you have a chance to get a dog that's already "family trained" and won't be going through the puppy stages, GRAB HIM!!!

One more thing. If the agression is a non -issue and they seem to like each other, you can work with that. Mine did not LOVE each other instantly. Yeah, they played ...but it was a while before they really became "brother and sister". Don't have unreasonable expectations of the first meet and greet. Someone told me to do the first meeting on neutral territory but it didn't work out for us that way ...they came to the house. I'd suggest a park or something like that for the first time.

Aruuuu · 05-09-2007, 08:30 AM

I have three bassets, and while it's true that there's more hair to deal with -- I wouldn't go back to having just one. Bassets are pack animals and truly enjoy each other's company. With two, especially, the bond is very strong between them.

I say go for it. Why is your BF so against it?

monty's mom · 05-09-2007, 08:43 AM

he says it is double the trouble if one dog can be destructive how will it be with 2 and the hair loss.

Will this help with the digging if i get another one?

corvuss · 05-09-2007, 09:11 AM

Usually a dog that digs is a bored dog. No guarantees, but a second hound may well help. If they are playing, they won't be digging.

My two cents: If you can afford the food and the Vet bills, go for it!

mgbrown66 · 05-09-2007, 09:27 AM

I think two is easier to care for than one. And two bassets really have a bond together.

Double the mischief is a pro, not a con.

I would meet the other dog first so you can see what kind of dog it is. I never understand people who say they have to move and can't take their dog. No way I would ever relocate to a place that wouldn't let me take my kids with me.

Lightning&Stomps · 05-09-2007, 10:43 AM

When it comes to Bassets, two are always better than one. When Lightning was young he had terrible separation anxiety. I really resisted getting a second dog, but finally gave in. Getting Stomps was the best thing I ever did. Not only is he such a love, but he cured L's anxiety, to the point that sometimes I feel a little left out. It cured all Lightning's destructive behavior. Just make sure that the two get along, and if you have to walk them on a leash, that they both walk at approximately the same speed. Lightning was a traveler, but Stomps liked to stop and sniff every blade of grass. I thought I was going to need shoulder surgery, from the two of them pulling me in opposite directions all the time!
I say go for it!

2hounds · 05-09-2007, 05:48 PM

I really agree with everyone else. Getting Gibbs was the best thing ever for Lily. She absolutely adores her brother, he tolerates her (he's an old man in a 4 year old body).

My two are practically inseperable. Like others have said the vet bills are doubled and so is the food cost, but double the love far out weighs the costs.

~Heather

Elvismom · 05-09-2007, 07:30 PM

I agree that multiple bassets are definitely a great thing! The amount of love and entertainment they provide increases exponetially when you have more than one.

I have 6 and although they all want special alone time with mom they can entertain themselves when I am busy without destroying things!

If $$ or space isn't an issue than it will should be a great thing for you.

05-09-2007, 08:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
Aruuuu Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central MA, USA Posts: 773	I have three bassets, and while it's true that there's more hair to deal with -- I wouldn't go back to having just one. Bassets are pack animals and truly enjoy each other's company. With two, especially, the bond is very strong between them. I say go for it. Why is your BF so against it? __________________ If stress were exercise, I'd be in great shape!

05-09-2007, 05:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
2hounds Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 1,152	I really agree with everyone else. Getting Gibbs was the best thing ever for Lily. She absolutely adores her brother, he tolerates her (he's an old man in a 4 year old body). My two are practically inseperable. Like others have said the vet bills are doubled and so is the food cost, but double the love far out weighs the costs. ~Heather __________________ Mommy to Gibbs and kitty kitty Eva Dear sweet *Lily (ATB )* you will never be forgotten.

05-09-2007, 07:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
Elvismom Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: new mexico Posts: 1,196	I agree that multiple bassets are definitely a great thing! The amount of love and entertainment they provide increases exponetially when you have more than one. I have 6 and although they all want special alone time with mom they can entertain themselves when I am busy without destroying things! If $$ or space isn't an issue than it will should be a great thing for you. __________________ Chris Foodslave, chauffer & doorperson to Elvis, Georgia, Ginger & Maggie, Crissy & Dart

05-09-2007, 05:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
monty's mom Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Africa Posts: 52	I have the oppertunity to get a 2 year old basset, her owners are relocating and can't take her with, my boyfriend is against the idea and i am obviously for it. Could you please tell me more on what it is like to have 2 bassets and what the implications might be if i take her. Also could you please tell me what i should ask the owners about her eg the need to knows.

05-09-2007, 07:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
Floyd Junior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 19	My wife and I recently got a second basset ourselves. I would have to say it was one of the better decisions we've made! Here are some of the pros and cons that I've experienced (just to give you a balanced look): Pros: If they're not sleeping, they're playing together Double the amount of basset goofiness Companionship while mommy and daddy are gone for the day Lots of snuggling Cons: If they're not sleeping, they're playing togther (my boys are constantly "fighting"... cute for awhile, but not when on the phone, watching TV, etc.) Hair everywhere! Two highly intelligent minds devising ways to steal your food Having to fight for a spot on the couch Obviously the cons aren't that bad and could be pros (except for the hair... our second boy, Fred, has some kind of magical ability to generate hair; it's really bordering on the supernatural!), but your mileage may vary. Definitely check to see if the second basset has any issues with other dogs. I'd also try and get the two of them together to meet to see how they get along. Overall though, if you can do it definitely get a second!

05-09-2007, 08:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
faysie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 360	It's the best thing we've ever done. It took some time for the real benefits to come into play but they were partners in crime right from the start. It makes ME feel a lot better when I have to leave them for work, or with sitters for the weekend. They have each other. They're more concerned about each other than where I am and what I'm doing, which helps sometimes The ONLY con ... and it's not really a con ...is the tremendous amount of food you have to buy. Two dogs go throught the bags quickly unless you get the large size. The bags of food are too big for me to lift so the husband has to go to Petsmart now. If you have a chance to get a dog that's already "family trained" and won't be going through the puppy stages, GRAB HIM!!! One more thing. If the agression is a non -issue and they seem to like each other, you can work with that. Mine did not LOVE each other instantly. Yeah, they played ...but it was a while before they really became "brother and sister". Don't have unreasonable expectations of the first meet and greet. Someone told me to do the first meeting on neutral territory but it didn't work out for us that way ...they came to the house. I'd suggest a park or something like that for the first time.

05-09-2007, 08:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
monty's mom Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Africa Posts: 52	he says it is double the trouble if one dog can be destructive how will it be with 2 and the hair loss. Will this help with the digging if i get another one?

05-09-2007, 09:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
corvuss Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Abingdon, Maryland Posts: 714	Usually a dog that digs is a bored dog. No guarantees, but a second hound may well help. If they are playing, they won't be digging. My two cents: If you can afford the food and the Vet bills, go for it!

05-09-2007, 09:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
mgbrown66 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 316	I think two is easier to care for than one. And two bassets really have a bond together. Double the mischief is a pro, not a con. I would meet the other dog first so you can see what kind of dog it is. I never understand people who say they have to move and can't take their dog. No way I would ever relocate to a place that wouldn't let me take my kids with me.

05-09-2007, 10:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
Lightning&Stomps Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Versailles, Ky. Posts: 1,203	When it comes to Bassets, two are always better than one. When Lightning was young he had terrible separation anxiety. I really resisted getting a second dog, but finally gave in. Getting Stomps was the best thing I ever did. Not only is he such a love, but he cured L's anxiety, to the point that sometimes I feel a little left out. It cured all Lightning's destructive behavior. Just make sure that the two get along, and if you have to walk them on a leash, that they both walk at approximately the same speed. Lightning was a traveler, but Stomps liked to stop and sniff every blade of grass. I thought I was going to need shoulder surgery, from the two of them pulling me in opposite directions all the time! I say go for it!

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