Okay I am resuing basset hound mix and giving to son?

Question

The puppy is 7 weeks and mom quit momming him at a few days of age... so we have one shot down and I''m requesting tamiflu from the vet. The pup is mixed but dont know what with.

Is there any information about bassetts that will help us. The timing is great my son's kids were devasted when they had to give back a dog after three weeks of dogsitting for relatives.

I will be working with the pup on socializing with our dogs and taking to petsmart and lowes and places that people will love on her. Any advice is appreciated as I have goldens and not bassets.

Answer 1

zinger, I wish I had a a basset hound.

Answer 2

Bassets are nothing like Goldens :-)

The Basset mentality is totally different.  They are bred to work independently and think for themselves, whereas Goldens are bred to work under the direction of the hunter.  Bassets are highly intelligent, but that doesn't mean they'll use that intelligence to do the things YOU want, they'll use it to get what THEY want.  

They have an instinct to wander, so they need a secure, fenced yard.

You need to be very vigilant in the beginning about establishing good habits, such as housebreaking.  Once they've gotten into the habit of doing something, it is VERY difficult to change their mind.  While many Bassets are housebroken very quickly (when you are consistent from the first), it is not uncommon for them to be a year or more before being at all reliable in the house if your early vigilance is less than consistent.

Bassets are food thieves and counter surfers.  It is not uncommon for them to be found sitting on the kitchen table!  Although it is possible to train them not to do this, it is generally easier and less frustrating to simply not leave food within reach (and keep kitchen chairs pushed in) so that they have no motivation to go up there in the first place.

Bassets are quite strong, and have a low centre of gravity, so they can pull very hard on a leash.  Obedience training is highly recommended, but they respond better to positive methods and are normally VERY food motivated.  They are easily bored with repeating the same exercise over and over ("I already DID that, Mom!"), so you need to keep the lessons interesting and varied.

Bassets have selective hearing, and will "go deaf" if they don't want to listen to you.  However, they can hear the fridge open from a deep sleep and have their nose in there before you close the door.

Their toenails are usually higher off the ground than many other breeds, due to their thick pads, so regular nail cutting is a must.  I recommend weekly cutting from as early an age as possible, and even then they'll probably go through a period in adolescence where they object to it.  If the owners can tough it out and continue with the weekly nail clipping, that's best, otherwise I recommend they see a groomer at least monthly for a nail trim.

Ears need to be checked weekly and cleaned regularly.

Answer 3

Bassets aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer so don't expect this pup to be anything like your goldens.