It's so funny reading your questions as I had the same too, but I'd not discovered this brill forum so I had to figure it out myself.
She doesn't look too thin, my Poppy looked just like that and my Vet said she was just right, even now at 9 months she is still showing some rib definition, however my Vet is happy.
Regarding outside, Poppy can stay outside for upto 2 hours at a time and that doesn't bother her as if she wants in she's got a Kennel to go into.
Bassett's just LOVE other dogs and people and basically everything (to be honest Poppy has to learn that not every dog is friendly and sometimes she does get a growl or a nip if she gets "too" friendly). She met an Afgan Hound the other week and he was MASSIVE! But she got on really well with him after a little uncertaintly.
Travelling... When she was really little she hated the car and CRA*ED EVERYWHERE!! :blink:
But now she is just wonderful, she has her doggy seat belt and we frequently go on 6 hour plus journeys with no problem. As long as we stop for potty breaks every so often she just goes to sleep!
There's nothing quite like hearing your Bassett in the back snoring away!! :lol: :lol:
We fed Poppy 3 times a day to start off with, but the best suggestion I can make is just follow the guidlines on the Puppy food and messure according to weight and you'll not go far wrong. I started feeding her twice a day at 6 months and she's just fine.
I've made the mistake with stuffed toys, and she just destroys them! Rubber balls/bones/chewy bones are the best bet.
Regarding the smell... It's very particular isn't it!! I get Poppy used to bathing from a very early age and give her a bath (with a mild doggy shampoo) every week and this keeps her coat looking nice and shiny and the smell only hits you the day before bathing... My Vet told me this little trick as hounds have a very distinctive smell, not like other dogs :wacko: :lol:
DIGGING!!
Poppy LOVES to dig and it's so funny, I swear she's trying to get to Australia!!! But even more funnier than that is that she keeps on forgetting the hole is there and keeps falling in it!! :lol: I've given up trying to fill it in much like Terry!
Once the puppy phase starts to slow down and you see the adult emerging you'll just love her! Once you've owned a Bassett any other dog just won't do!!
GOOD LUCK!
Keep us informed...
Jaimie & Poppy
x[/b]