first lest deal with some of the myth and the turths behind them.
1. bassets are scent hounds and will follow scents especial other prey animal if they have be trained to which is not alot mre than givening them the oppurtunity to. That said they were also bred as realitivly close worker. Any on that has been where basset are hunting or a field trial situation where the are hunt rather than simply tracking a scent laid down will find they work relatively close to humansd. You may not see them but if you move the move with you so the are really not that far away. There primary game for a basset is rqbbit. Rabbits circle some time a gian circle but in the end a circle so again chasing a rabbit they don't end up that far away.
Where the problem comes in is not if but when they chase so called "trash" game or non game animal they are not suppose to like deer or fox which will run in a straight line for miles.
So the danger with a basset off lead is chasing unapproved animals, which can result in them traveling quite some distance and get them and you in trouble with game wardens/evironmental poilice. It is a risk and how big of risk depends on the animals in the area and your particular dogs propensity to track chase them. There are ways to discourage such behavior with the only really effective menthod center on the use of shock collar. Or one knowledge obut the area an the behavior of the dog can manage the situation by preventing most such occurances.
Beingf off leash is something the dog need to earn. You would not want to take out to the oods and let him loose without some reasonal expectation of what he would do and react. You need to start of in controled areas parks etc that are fenced. open areas you can use a long line 50-100ft etc
The dog needs a realy reliable recall under the most distracted situations. the calls for train but not ordinary training it requires train under heavy distractions but you must built up to slow to greater and greater distractions.
Can a basset be safe off leash ? that is a loaded question, nothing is 100% safe including keeping the dog on leash. But in the right situation under the right conditions with reasonable training a basset is capable of not wandering of never to be seen again.
I've don backwood backpacking with them off lead and the nearest road 50 miles away. , field trials in non-contained areas. etc off leash and ther are urban and other setting where to do so would be fool hardy. And there are certain dogs like my harrier that I would never trust off leash, but I have yet to oen a basset that I feel the same way about but it could happen.
DEPOSITS INTO THE PERFECT RECALL ACCOUNT
DISTRACTIONS FOR YOUR RECALL
list of reinforcers
really reliable Recall
Leslie Nelson Really Reliable Recall DVD
Really reliable recall or Fido, PLEASE come home!
Question from Christina P.: What is the most important thing you can teach your dog?
Answer: Great question Christina!
The most important thing you can teach your dog is a reliable recall. It will save his life one day, so please do not scrimp on your training of this life saving behavior. I start teaching a recall by teaching the dog that their name is very valuable.