A general doggy question and a Basset question

[ehonda]

Me and Mrs ehonda are both dog lovers, but have never had a chance to get one before now. Baby number 2 is due in march next year and the maternity leave presents us with an option to get a puppy and have someone at home with it for a considerable length of time. When the Mrs goes back to work there will be someone at home regularly throughout the day, so I'd envisage that the dog wouldn't be left for more than 3 hours at any time, would have regular access to the garden and would get at least one long walk mon-fri and more at the weekend.

So, questions:
1. What are people's thoughts on getting a dog, while the Mrs is on Maternity leave? Our daughter will be 3 and is very good in terms of doing what she's told, so won't worry a puppy much, she's been fine with the kittens we got when she was a year younger. The Mrs won't be on her own to deal with 2 kids and a puppy as we have a nanny. For us it's an ideal time, is there any reason why this would be a bad time to get a puppy from the hound's point of view?

2. We'd both love a Basset. We're aware of the foibles of scent hounds and understand that they're a bit belligerent when it comes to training. We're both up for these challenges though. Does anyone have experience of Bassets that might help?

From my perspective; we're both dog lovers, wouldn't get one unless we thought it was right for the dog (otherwise we would have done it years ago) and we both think that it's good for kids to grow up around dogs. It seems like an ideal opportunity. Am I wrong?

[Mrs Grumpy]

I honestly don't think getting a puppy and having a baby at the same time is a great idea. A puppy needs an awful lot of attention so that he/she get the required training and socialisation. Taking outside about every hour to housetrain, taking every opportunity to socialise here, there and everywhere. They are exhausting!

Bassets - would not be my choice as I like to train my dogs to do all manner of things and be able to let them safely off the lead. Not saying you can't train a basset to do that, but would take time, patience, knowledge and probably a bit of lateral thinking!

[Anthony Micallef]

I have a Basset Hound, a 7 year old male called Fred (I know, very original name eh!). He's a lovely dog but what I say to everyone who says they want one is you have to have a limitless supply of patience!! They are not easy to train and its almost like you are training them from scratch every day!! If they dont want to do something they simply wont, not that they cant, they just decided they wont!

Dont think either that they are lazy and wont do much. They have lots of energy and love plenty of exercise. They are a big dog on short legs, mine weighs just shy of 40kgs and has the strength to match!!

Ours loves to pick things up and eat them! Anything that he can fit in to his mouth he'll eat! As a result he doesnt really play with toys as he just wants to chew them to pieces and eat!!

My colleague at work for some strange reason bought 2!! I told him he must be mad! You might think from all this that I wish I didnt have one, far from it though Freds great and so full of character. Ill see if Ive got some pics that I can post for you. Let me know if you have any questions.

[ehonda]

Fred is lovely. One of the things that appeals about Bassets is that they're able to take a reasonable amount of exercise, I think the fact that unless you know what they were bred for you would think they're just big baggy couch potatoes appeals too. They're surprisingly big aren't they? 40 kilos is impressive. Thanks for the response and pictures

[dillenger]

sorry only just found this may be to late but for my money there is no other breed.make no mistakes you will be in for a battle of will power.

must like kids check.


enzo spent the first 2 years of my little girls life never more than a foot away the next 10 keeping her in trouble.

mix with other dogs check.


after 8 years of being the only dog the wife decides he needs company.soon stitch is a master of sleeping like his big bro.

i lost enzo over 3 years ago i still have his ashes i can't do anything with them, just turns me into a big girl every time i go near them

after much nagging and pushing i caved in and got another dog,which breed the only one i would have.


stitch and his bud ted. a petit basset griffon vendeen so all the problems of basset ownership plus clogged hoover.

[ehonda]

I think I've just become a little bit smitten with Ted. He's lovely! Think I'll have to give serious consideration to that breed too. Thinking about going to the Discover Dogs thing at Earls Court in a couple of weeks, will hopefully get to meet some Bassets too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and pictures.