mamaKelli

Since I was a little girl I have always wanted a basset hound. I have found a lady who has pups due in about 2 weeks and I'm giving it a lot of thought. I do however have several questions. I would like to know everything I cna before I adopted a new baby. I would like to know what I'm getting into before I give a puppy a new home.

1. How do I know if the puppy is heathly, I mean are their any physical things I should be looking for?

2. This will be my first inside dog. How hard are they to house break? Any tips on the best way to go about this.

3. Are bassets barkers? I know all dogs bark but some dogs bark more so than others. My friend as a dachshund and that is all he does when he is awake, it's so bad that I can't even go to her house anymore. It's just way to stressful.

4. I have 2 children, ages 15 & 5. Are bassets good family dogs? What about with cats, we have a 3 yrs old calico.

5. What sex is easier to train? or does that even matter?

6. Are their any major health issues I should worry about in a new puppy?

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Mikey T

1. you don't that why a health guarantee as part of the puppy buying contract is a must. Also genetic condition unless tested for do not show up later in life. It is even unlikely that the breader knows the potential for any one unless they have researched the pedigree of the Dam and Sire of the breeding and the sibings and offspring of the dogds in the pedigrees. in conjuction with genetic testing
Health Policy of BHCA (basset hound club of America)

2. bassets are natoriously hard to house train. IMHO a basset is nut capable of being house trained before six months of age. There is a big difference between a dog that is housetrained and on that does not have accidents in the house. The latter is managed in term of scedcudual and supervision so accidents donas't happen vs a dog that has learned to hold it in cases where it can;t go out, and ask to go out when it needs to go. ! year is more typical but some never master it.

Houase training your Puppy

Ring My Bell
One of the most neglect aspects of house training is teach the dog a clear signal to use when it need to go out.

3 some are some are not in general they do tend to bark less than beagles.

4 general they regarded as being good with kids however they are a large dog on short legs so the general outwiegh smaller children and puppies and adolesencent can be a bit bullish that is plowing trough kid by virtue of there larger mass, If raised with cats there is general not a problem however on shouls not automatical assume there will be no problem even with a puppy. Puppies and addolescent will nip it is part of the growing and learning process. Therefor younger children that often do not and can not follow the rulls in dealing with nipping and teaching bite inhibition do not come out unscathed if the puppy and child are not strictly supervisied when they are together. Because of the and other liability issues there are breeder who will not sell a puppy into a household with any chlidren under to age of 12. and recommend an adult dog from a rescue organization with a known temperament that is compatable with young children.
Bite Inhibition , How to Teach It

5. General speaking I find males more mellow and laid back. This does not make them easier to train. In multi basset household the females usually run roughshod over the males. The higher intensity of the females if channeled properly can result in general result where training is crucial like competition obedience. That said the difference between any idividual dog outweighs the general overal differences between the sexes.

See 1.


Yiu did however miss the number 1 reason for behavioral problems and owner relinquishment of a dog regardless of breed which is insufficent socialization and habituation. This need to occur at the breeder's location as well as continue in your home see

Countdown to a Crackerjack Canine Companion
Puppy Socialisation and Habituation (Part 1) Why is it Necessary?


Puppy Socialisation and Habituation (Part 2) How to go about it

oliwa

Hello, I just adopted a pup in October and she is 5 months old. She is my second, my previous guy left me about 8 years ago.

I bought my pup from a breeder, but regardless, you should have your pup checked out by a vet very shortly after you get him/her. I had a vet come out 2 days after I got Snickers. The seller should give you some sort of health guarantee...if not...I'd steer clear.

Bassets are more difficult to house break than some other breeds. The key is consistency, positive reinforcement, and patience! I tought Snickers to ring bells to go outside and that has been a life saver because both of my Bassets would just stand by the door and would give us no warning they had to go out.

I would also suggest crate training your new pup.

I'll try to post a few house breaking links.

Yes, Bassets are very vocal. My Snickers doesn't bark non stop, but she does bark when she is happy, excited, frustrated, irritated, bored, etc. She barks for specific reasons...the key is to learn your pup's triggers and mitigate them.

They are WONDERFUL family dogs. Very laid back. Best to socialize your pup with as many kids and dogs as possible.

From my experience...females do not roam or mark as much, but they are very temperamental (ie. she barks if her bed is not in the perfect position) and males are more easy going but love to roam and mark their territory.

Bassets, even though they're short, are considered large breeds and as such are prone to large breed health issues like hip dysplasia. Since they are very heavy and long their backs and joints are susceptible to injury so kids can't ride your pup like a horse. Feed your pup large breed puppy food and that will slow the bone growth and will help to avoid some issues.

Good luck!

__________________
My Basset is smarter than your honor student.
YouTube: Snickers Is Smarter Than A 5th Grader
'Dog Whisperer' Training Approach More Harmful Than Helpful