Sampson's Mommies (and others), without trying to be offensive, as someone who is dedicated to the basset hound I really feel that breeding is NOT an endeavor for the casual breeder. There are far too many bassets produced that:
1)Need homes, because their breeder either did not plan out how to place them, or did not screen homes carefully enough and sold them to inappropriate owners, or simply didn't support thier pups for life (are you willing to take responsibility and take back one of your pups if it needs a home, no matter how old it is (ie ten years from now?))
2) Have structural problems because their breeder did not know proper structure, did not know how to breed for proper structure, did not know about proper nutrition to support proper structure. Do you know what kind of diet will cause bone growth problems in young bassets? Do you know what to do if a young basset starts limping? Do you know what's meant by fiddle front, or out at elbow?
3) Have health/temperament problems because their breeder either overlooked such problems in their dog (either because they didn't test for them, or the dog was too young for them to show up, or simply didn't think it was a problem) or didn't know the health problems in the background of the dog and didn't have a knowledge of basic genetics. Have you done ANY of the health tests recommended by the BHCA health committee? Do you have any idea how genetic diseases are transmitted? Do you know the dogs in the pedigree and if they had any problems? Do you even know what they look like? Are you excusing a shy or aggressive temperament (oh, she was abused before we got her, the nasty vet/groomer scared her)? Temperament is a heritable trait.
4) Are mistreated, put to sleep, made to live outside or develop easily avoided health/bone problems because the breeder didn't know or didn't care to advise the owners and help them in the rearing of their pups. Do you have LOTS of knowledge about basic nutrition, training, behavior problems, growth issues in bassets etc and are you willing to be available to your puppy buyers to answer any and all questions they may have?
5) Do not look or act like bassets should, because their breeder bred their pet-quality dog that came from another breeder who bred their pet and so on, or or came from a long line of puppymill dogs. I've lost count of the number of people who've gotten a basset from such a source, then look at mine (long ears, large bone, loose skin) and wonder when their young basset will look like that. It won't! In my opinion, if you're not getting the features that make a basset special you might as well pick up a wonderful mix from the pound. After all, for most of us the first thing that caught our eye was "the look", then we discovered what a wonderful breed it is.
In my opinion, the only reason to be breeding is because you are trying to breed a high quality dog that will contribute to the breed. This means one that is at least good enough to compete in shows or field trials (and preferably is good enough to do both), has been tested for the basic problems most likely to affect the dog (based on it's breed and bloodlines), and has a solid temperament. Then you don't just breed to the first available male, but do your research and carefully select a male that has features that will compliment your bitch. Have you competed with your dog in shows or field trials, to prove that she is a superior specimen worthy of breeding?
Also, far too many people get into breeding without planning or much forethought, other than the vague notion that they would enjoy having puppies and might make a few $$$. Breeding, especially a breed like bassets, is involved. You need to carefully nurture, feed and supervise a pregnant bitch. Can you tell if she develops life-threatening pyometra? Are you able to watch her 24/7 during her last week of pregnancy so you are there when she whelps? Are you prepared to help her? She will probably need your help at some point. Are you prepared for the mess (blood, fluids etc.) and for your bitch to be discharging all over the place for up to two weeks after whelping? Do you know what to do if a puppy gets stuck? Do you know what to do if a pup is not breathing? Are you prepared for a deformed pup? A dead one? Do you know the signs of trouble during whelping? What if she needs a c-section (common in bassets)? Do you know how to look for a cleft palate? Can you watch them 24/7 for at least two weeks after whelping to make sure momma doesn't lie on them and crush them (it only takes minutes)? Do you know how to look for eclampsia or mastitis in the bitch? What if the pups get sick? What if the bitch dies or cannot nurse the pups? Do you have a place for them when they get too big for the whelping box? Are you prepared for a bunch of poop machines with teeth that mess constantly and chew like Pac-man? Where the heck are you going to put 8 eight week old basset puppies? What if they don't all sell right away? How long are you prepared to keep them? And there's lots more questions you need to think about before you even start!
I'll get off my soapbox now.
[ September 27, 2005, 01:51 PM: Message edited by: Soundtrack ]
