My boyfriend and I are hoping to be adopting a rescue Basset by spring. We're not in any particular hurry, but we're making plans, filling out adoption applications, etc. At the moment we have two dogs, Sport LeBob, a 13 year old Shepherd/something mix that seems to be going senile and becoming incontinent, and GingerSnap Dragon, a 3 year old bundle of energy in the form of a "Miniature" Dachshund that didn't realize minis stop growing at 11 pounds. (she weighs 13.5 LOL) I also have pet rats, which are in a room with a baby gate permanently across the doorway to keep the dogs out.
One thing I'm trying to learn is about the general health of Basset Hounds. I'm well aware that the long body/ short leg combo can lead to serious spine problems. That was one of the first things I read up on when I got my Dachshund. In the event that she ever "goes down" I already know a lot of the treatment options and therapy techniques, which I'm sure could be fairly easily adapted for the larger Basset.
Are there any other ailments that are fairly common to Basset Hounds? Eye/ear problems? Heart troubles? Joint problems? None of these would be a deterrent from adopting one, just things I want to know about the potential of in advance.
A few of my co-workers keep saying, "Well, Bassets are noisy!" I say, I already have a Dachshund...same noises, higher pitch, and she thinks the wind is a demon monster coming to eat her. The Shepherd seems to be part wolf...he howls to "talk" to me. He howls when he's lonely, or bored, and he howls when he's excited. Oddly, no one in the neighborhood ever hears them. I suspect we can handle a hound singing too.
I feed my dogs Avoderm now, was feeding Taste of the Wild but the Shepherd stopped eating it. Is there anything in particular I should know about Bassets' dietary needs? I try to feed high-quality foods, my brother says I'm a dog food snob. I say, my dogs don't get ear infections AT ALL, while his get them every two months, and mine have soft, shiny coats, while his Golden Retrievers are not fluffy or shiny...so yeah, I'll be a snob.
Cameron (my boyfriend) and I decided we want a Basset because every one we've ever met has been a sweet, lovable dog that makes you believe you're its bestest friend EVER!!! even when you know you only met it like, a minute ago. Not to mention I just like hounds, anyway. I like dogs that can think for themselves, even if it means commands are a hundred times harder to teach, because they want to know WHY. (Dachshunds don't "down." They're already only an inch above the floor, isn't that close enough, already? and somehow we still finished obedience training when even the instructor couldn't get her to do it...)
Anyway, this post is probably getting long and kind of pointless. I just wanted to say hello and get started reading through all the older threads to see what I can learn.
Elisa
One thing I'm trying to learn is about the general health of Basset Hounds. I'm well aware that the long body/ short leg combo can lead to serious spine problems. That was one of the first things I read up on when I got my Dachshund. In the event that she ever "goes down" I already know a lot of the treatment options and therapy techniques, which I'm sure could be fairly easily adapted for the larger Basset.
Are there any other ailments that are fairly common to Basset Hounds? Eye/ear problems? Heart troubles? Joint problems? None of these would be a deterrent from adopting one, just things I want to know about the potential of in advance.
A few of my co-workers keep saying, "Well, Bassets are noisy!" I say, I already have a Dachshund...same noises, higher pitch, and she thinks the wind is a demon monster coming to eat her. The Shepherd seems to be part wolf...he howls to "talk" to me. He howls when he's lonely, or bored, and he howls when he's excited. Oddly, no one in the neighborhood ever hears them. I suspect we can handle a hound singing too.
I feed my dogs Avoderm now, was feeding Taste of the Wild but the Shepherd stopped eating it. Is there anything in particular I should know about Bassets' dietary needs? I try to feed high-quality foods, my brother says I'm a dog food snob. I say, my dogs don't get ear infections AT ALL, while his get them every two months, and mine have soft, shiny coats, while his Golden Retrievers are not fluffy or shiny...so yeah, I'll be a snob.
Cameron (my boyfriend) and I decided we want a Basset because every one we've ever met has been a sweet, lovable dog that makes you believe you're its bestest friend EVER!!! even when you know you only met it like, a minute ago. Not to mention I just like hounds, anyway. I like dogs that can think for themselves, even if it means commands are a hundred times harder to teach, because they want to know WHY. (Dachshunds don't "down." They're already only an inch above the floor, isn't that close enough, already? and somehow we still finished obedience training when even the instructor couldn't get her to do it...)
Anyway, this post is probably getting long and kind of pointless. I just wanted to say hello and get started reading through all the older threads to see what I can learn.
Elisa
