I have two bassets, they are brother and sister from the same litter. The basset hound is a pack dog and we felt that it wasn't right to keep just one dog. They have never ever howled, or even cried as pups because they had each other. This is something to think about if you're purchasing a basset and especially if you're going to leave your dog along while at work. Bassetts need company! Both dogs are very different in nature and temperament. Our male dog, Rufus, is slightly bigger. He is more trainable and wants to please. He is also more intelligent and biddable. On the lead he constantly looks back to see what you want and walks to heel. He is also closer to my wife and kids. He gets on with me, but is my wife's dog.
My female, Molly, is stubborn and will not walk to heel no matter how hard I have tried to teach. On the lead she pulls once she catches a sent, or just sits down and tries to pull her ears out of her collar, if she doesn't want to do what you are doing. Rufus actually tries to hold her back and help us when out walking by pulling her back, or noising her to get into line.
Both dogs are very gentle, but Molly is the more aggressive out of the two. She will bark and growl at an unannounced stranger, while Rufus will peep from behind my legs, or just watch from a distance. Their is a protective streak in Molly, I don't know if this is a female thing. She also cleans Rufus's eyes and snout regularly. He never licks us, but she will occasionally give an affectionate kiss. Molly is more playful and still thinks she is a pup. She loves to play and her tail is like an out of control helicopter. Both dogs don't play fetch very well. All they want to do is what they do best, sniff.
Molly is the Alfa between the two dogs and I have had to enforce my authority with her for my male dog's sake. When feeding the dogs I have to make them both sit and wait for me to give them their food, otherwise sometimes Molly would not allow my male to eat. She also claimed her spot in front of our open fire and on the dog bed. When he comes near she growls at him and he comes to us to tell on her. Again we have to protect Rufus if she growls and move her to allow him some time in front of the fire. Molly is the one who sents out on walks and not our male (both dogs are sterilised) and she humps Rufus, which is also dominant behaviour.
Molly is my dog. They are both Velcro dogs, but Molly is stuck to me like glue. She makes it clear that she likes me and wants to be with me over the rest of the family. I don't know if this is s female thing also.
Her coat us much softer than my male dog's. I groom both my dogs and they both trust me to clean their ears, teeth and cut their nails, but Rufus is more trusting than my female when it comes to having his nails done.
I often say that if I were able to fuse the two dogs together into one I would have the perfect dog. If I were ever going to purchase another basset hound, I don't know what gender that I would choose.
Regardless of gender, I think that bassets make wonderful family dogs. They are very gentle with kids and love their humans. They are a very soft breed and don't take well to scolding. They do need to be enforced who is the boss, but should never be shouted at, hit, or like any dog mistreated. It takes a lot of patience to own a basset.
Bassets love: sniffing, food, their home comfort and people, in that order. I love my dogs, they are my two friends and their is nothing in the world like their welcome when you come home, or just come down the stairs in the morning, or just go out of the room.
Ben was definately easier to house train, and you should take that into consideration. I don't know where you are located, but it isn't easy to train a basset in inclement weather. They like to think that they will melt in the rain and snow! :lol: The boys will usually be a little bigger than the girls if that is something that you are concerned about. When we went to look at the litters after they were born, I tried to go in with the mindset of finding the right puppy for our family, not too concerned with whether it was a boy or a girl. Good luck in your decision. We look forward to seeing those sweet baby pictures! Martha
