baclay9

Hello, brand new to the board and I just put down a deposit on my first Basset. I have wanted one a long time and have tried my best to prepare myself by doing research over the last few weeks. She is 13 weeks old right now and I should be able to get out to pick her up in about a week or so. (I am at work right now.)

I work in the oil and gas industry and am away from home about 3 weeks a month or so. She will be coming with me when I am working. Me and three other guys live in a trailor house while we are out on a job and they are all pumped about me bringing a dog out as well. She should get lots of attention while out on a job.

At home she will be living with me, my wife, 3 year old daughter, and my wifes Shi-tzu.

My plan was to get her a crate to sleep in at night. I was going to put it back in the bedroom with me. Then I figured I would put her a dog bed in the office where she will be hanging out during the day. I'm still not really clear on what food to start her on. I was thinking about Diamond, but keep reading conflicting opinions about dog food.

Just wanted to introduce myself. I am really excited about picking her up and am really looking forward to her.

LuciaB

So excited for you! We had two dogs already when we adopted our basset, she was intended to be my 11yr old daughter's dog. Very quickly she has become everyones buddy, I have never owned a dog that was so incredibly lovable. Not to say she hasn't been frustrating sometimes, she is a big puppy with all the usual puppy behaviors plus some special basset ones!

If I've learned anything from this board it's that there are a million different opinions on food. Seems to boil down to 1)High protein 2)Stay away from foods that rely heavily on fillers. I hit the dog food section and read lables till I found one in a reasonable price range that I felt good about. I add some canned green beans and pumpkin to one meal a day which helps our basset feel full and spoiled. The other dogs don't mind either

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~Lucia~

Vik12

I have found bassets require higher quality food than that I have have had to buy for other dogs. I use

Performatrin Ultra: Dog (Ingredients: Lamb and Brown Rice (dry))

Also, I think I have used in the past which was also decent.

Taste of the Wild : Home

What I found was it was just worth it to spend the extra pennies(per meal that is) on a higher quality dog food to ensure a healthy stomach.

baclay9

Something else I am still curious about is shedding. I have read that they are constant shedders but never really see anyone mention it. I was curious if thier shedding was really that bad?

The only fear I have is that my wife is really allergic to my Dad's lab. She isn't allergic to our Shi-tzu though. I am hoping she wont be allergic to this dog.

Vik12

Well for me, my cat stuffs up my nose but not my basset, maybe because she has short stiff hairs unlike my cat. But yea, if your wearing a nice suit or black dress, dont let the basset near you lol. Or you can stock pile on the sticky lint removing rollers I bought from costco.

sadeyes2

Yep, in summer my guy sheds a lot. Agree about the food. I buy one which uses brown rice, lamb and various vegetables. I also add some good wet food to the dry.

I would try and read everything I could get my hands on about bassets. They are a peculiar breed with needs particular to the breed.

They are not clever in the trick or obedience sense of the word, but when it comes to craftiness and creativity they excel!!!

baclay9

Thanks. Here is a picture I got of our new Girl. Not sure what we are naming her yet. We are thinking maybe Molly.


By claypool782 at 2010-10-04

Mikey T

Most info on dog food on the web is innacurate myths that are nothing more than marketing gimicks an ploys. The best dog food for your dog is the one that works for you. I general recommond at least starting off with what the breeder is feed because they general know what works well for their dogs. however every dog is and indivdual and some do better on different brands.

For example I have a four different times with five different times tried to feed wellness, which is a highly praised dog food. My dogs did poorly on it every time. This does not mean welness is not a good food, as noted by many recommendation just not the right food for my dogs. When trying a new food start out with the small bag available and see how they do,. If you like the result continue if not move on,

Midge n Hazley

Welcome! Congrats on your new girl, she's adorable!
My two are constant shedders, and definitely have a coat "blow out" every spring. A good, daily or bi-daily brushing with a ZoomGroom or Furminator will definitely help.

Kirska

Oh my she is absolutely adorable.

__________________
Mom to Anabelle and Lila, rescued ladies and Harley, Corgi/Beagle/Basset/?? mutt

"Saving just one dog won't change the world, but it surely will change the world for that one dog." - Richard C. Call