Beagle/Basset Hound Owners

[CookieGVB]

We're about to adopt a basset/beagle mix this week from the pound.

Tell me everything I'll want to know - the good, the bad and the ugly!

Thanks!

 

[Disneydimwit]

Good luck and congratulations on your new pet!

...I know close to nothing about both these breeds but what I DO know is they are mighty cute dogs!

 

[WDWHound]

OK, I am a big Basset hound fan, but they are NOT for everyone. Here is the straight dope:

Good:
Very Loving
Very Smart
Very Gentle
Playful
Great with Kids and other pets
Quiet and clam (once the pass the 3 year mark)
Enterntainers (they actually seek out applause and laughter


Bad:
Too Damn smart (ours just recently figured out how to open drawers by pulling on the handle with her mouth)
Not obediant (they learn commands, but will often just do what they want instead)
Stubborn
Drool, drool and more droool (it gets everywhere)
They love to eat and are expert counter surfers.
Can be VERY protective of their food.

As I said, I love Bassets, but if you want a really obedient dog, a dog that stays out of trouble or a dog that does tricks, a Basset is not for you. You need patience to be a Basset owner. If you want a dog full of personality, loving, kind, funny (they actually go out of their way to get people to laugh, they are born comedians) and smart (really smart), I highly recommend a Basset.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Oh, Cookie, I'm jumping with joy for you!

Dogs are awesome! Especially mutts--don't let anybody tell you different!

We adopted our Maxi-dog a little over two years ago. I never thought I could love anything non-human as much as I love Max.

He drives me crazy often and scares me with his size sometimes (he's 100 pounds of muscle and really doesn't know his own strength), but he is one of the best things that ever happened to us.

I can't you tell anything about beagles or bassett hounds--Max is mostly labrador with some rottie and pit thrown in to make him extra scary--but best of luck! If the dog works out in your family, you and your boys are in for a wonderful experience.

God bless.

 

[Poohlovr]

As you know, we just got our Bassett on Saturday. I haven't learned a whole lot about his personality yet, except that he is very affectionate, does love attention and drools like a demon! He also barks a lot when playing or when he wants attention.
Also (and this is a bad thing, I think)--his droopy eyes and jowls just make him look so sad that I find we "make allowances" for (i.e.-spoil) him to try to make him cheer up.

We had a Beagle years ago (when Michelle was little). She was good natured, even tempered with kids and very smart.

Hopefully your mix will have the best qualities of each breed.

Meet Bernie, the Bassett-

 

[Pam]

We have a 16 month old Beagle, who is the love of our lives.

He is VERY loving, affectionate, and a pack animal - which means he's happiest when surrounded by others - therefore he's transferred his love all to us since there are no other dogs in the house to hang with. He loves to cuddle. He demonstrates so much emotion - he's a regular Drama Queen. His looks of extreme sadness get me every time. He also pouts and sighs soooo long!

He's also quite the little pistol - begs food - heck, steals food! Can be obstinate and stubborn - but very contrite when corrected. He loves to chew - we keep LOTS of rawhide bones about the house.

You can't let him outside without being on a leash. He opened 2 doors the other day and sneaked out of the garage - got on a rabbit scent (my guys do rabbit hunt him) and went from yard to the big field and then into the woods. We were afraid that we had lost him for good but DH ran fast and caught him chasing some deer. He chases and torments the poor cat without mercy.

He keeps me on my toes - but I love this dog so much - he's never slept outside. I am not normally a dog person - I love cats - but he truly has my heart!!

 

[ksjayhawks]

Bassetts are one of the hardest breedst to train--check any dog book--and require a lot of patience in that area. Until they reach about 3/4 years of age they don't calm down and can be very exasperating!

 

[Tiggeroo]

Cookie, head to ocean city for the doohdah parade around April 14th. It will be the world's largest gathering of Bassett Hounds. They will even have info booths set up since they are sponsored by a Bassett Hound rescue group. You will be able to speak to more owners then you can imagine.

 

[Crankyshank]

Cookie, I love bagels (bassett/beagle mixes).

I have 2 beagles and used to have a bassett. First thing to keep in mind - they are food seekers. If he has a beagle personality, beagles are the #1 problem solver breed in the dog world. What that normally means in my house is that they will find ways to get what they want.
Both breeds are awesome with kids. They are friendly, goofy, playful, and loving. They don't need to be active all of the time - as long as they have a snuggle buddy on the couch, they are happy.
When you take him out, don't let him off the leash because he will run away to follow a scent. Electric fences are also not a good idea. They're not the easiest to train and you need to make sure they don't over eat because both breeds tend to be a bit chubby. Especially if he has a bassett body because extra weight can give them back and joint problems.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

No Cookie,
What you are getting is a NOSE with a dog attached.


Start figuring out how to keep the trash locked up.

 

[Crankyshank]

No Cookie,
What you are getting is a NOSE with a dog attached.


Start figuring out how to keep the trash locked up.

All food will need to be at least 5ft high too Mine can push out the kitchen chair to climb on it, to climb on the table, to reach things on the counter.

 

[dbal]

This thread really has me laughing. We had a basset when I was growing up and all these qualities previously mentioned are sooo true!

If someone got up from the kitchen table during dinner for a minute; you would see this tongue come out of nowhere licking the plate clean.

They are sooo lovable but very stubborn. When I would take her for a walk, she would decide sometimes right in the middle of it that she was done. She would lay down wherever she was and wouldn't budge no matter what. She could be VERY FRUSTRATING..... and I wouldn't change a thing about her. She was so sweet.

 

[StartedAJoke]

Cookie, we adopted Charlie, a beagle mix, in June of last year. He's now 13 months old and we adore him.

Truly, his only minuses thus far have been his determination to get food. Sneaks in to the kitchen to get up to the counter (he's mixed with something larger than a beagle and is about the size of a dalmatian.) He ate all the grated mozzarella a few weeks ago off the counter, and I honestly think he knew he had done wrong and spent a few days treading lightly. We also had to buy a closed-lid garbage can -- the kind with the peddle that lifts the lid. Didn't work. He lifts the lid with his nose at least once a week and will take/eat anything. He seems to love the old coffee grounds (lucky us!)

His plusses so outweigh the minuses. I've never really had a dog, so this is all new to me. (We did have a poodle when I was a child but she wasn't particularly interactive with me.) He is always ready to play, greet us, go for a walk or a ride. He is the sweetest and gentlest creature -- loves the children. He is smart, knows verbal commands like "walk-time", "leave it", "chair" (when we want him to leave the kitchen) "get your bone". He does chew alot, but seldom any furniture, and he is still a pup. He will play for as long as you engage him, or will snuggle with you for as long as you stay put.

He's a real dog dog, except when it comes to barking. He only barks at my DD's RC Hummer (and the occational squirrel.)

Enjoy your new addition!


Karla

 

[2BOYMOM]

Not obediant (they learn commands, but will often just do what they want instead)
Stubborn
Drool, drool and more droool (it gets everywhere)
They love to eat and are expert counter surfers.

Those are so true, especially the "counter surfers" comment. Our Rufus will try to get anything off the counter. He isn't that much of a drooler, but he will lick you non-stop. He loves to try to go for your mouth. He gets along great with our German Shepherd, cat, and two ferrets. In fact, he loves to play with the ferrets.

Poohlovr - your Bernie looks just like our Rufus! I don't have a pic of him here at work to post. How old is he? Rufus will be 5 in April and he hasn't calmed down much.


Kim

 

[vettechick99]

We have an 18-month old female Basset we rescued in June '04. After we nursed her back to health, her real personality traits shined thru.

She's very smart and was fairly easy to train, but often does what she wants 30% of the time (except housetraining...she picked that up easy and hasn't had an accident in ages). She knows a handful of commands or phrases. Like the typical Sit, Lay down, speak, but also "Go to bed", "Wanna go outside?", "Daddy's Home!" "Want some Dinner?" and my favorite "Who's that?" in which she perks up and listens for someone at the door ).

She sleeps a LOT, which is great for me b/c she doesn't bother me when I'm working. But loves to go for walks and sniff around and explore.

I did want to mention that she is very people-crazy and not a good watch dog. When people come to the door, she's eager to lick and welcome them (I'd rather she bark, but oh well). She also has some separation anxiety issues, but has gotten over most of them.

Anyway, she has become ten times the dog we thought she would be and we are so pleased. Thanks for considering the breed...I really enjoy my Grace!

 

[Live4FW]

I will just echo what everyone else has said. Our Basset mix (Kadi) is a great dog. Very even tempered and excellent with kids. I don't think she has growled in anger once. However, she is a big talker which sometimes is confused for growling.

One thing I didn't see mentioned is ther tendancy towards ear infections. They need to have their ears cleaned regularly.

That's a picture of her to the side of my post. As my daughter says, we don't need any more little girls in the family because Kadi is her little sis.

 

[CookieGVB]

Thanks, everyone. I knew about the hound vocal tendencies, and the pack thing, as well as the "follow their nose" habits. My babysitter has agreed to "dogsit" during the day so he won't be alone - at least for the rest of the school year.

I will remember to keep a good eye on the garbage can, and the dinner plates!

 

[mickman1962]

Cookie, I love bagels (bassett/beagle mixes).

I have 2 beagles and used to have a bassett. First thing to keep in mind - they are food seekers. If he has a beagle personality, beagles are the #1 problem solver breed in the dog world. What that normally means in my house is that they will find ways to get what they want.
Both breeds are awesome with kids. They are friendly, goofy, playful, and loving. They don't need to be active all of the time - as long as they have a snuggle buddy on the couch, they are happy.
When you take him out, don't let him off the leash because he will run away to follow a scent. Electric fences are also not a good idea. They're not the easiest to train and you need to make sure they don't over eat because both breeds tend to be a bit chubby. Especially if he has a bassett body because extra weight can give them back and joint problems.

I trained my beagle to our electric fence with a week of diligent work. We had to get the "stubborn dog" collar as they do like scents. After 5 years he gets let out alot without the collar and won't leave the yard. Even if I have him on a leash I have to carry him over to go for a walk. He's got about 2 acres to run around 3/4 woods and has been a great dog. His problem is lets anyone come in the yard without making a noise. However when they leave he goes crazy barking and biting their car tires till they cross the fence. It's quite the site.

 

[hercamore]

I am happy for you. Sounds like you have a great dog.

My best tip for beagle owners is to measure out the dry food you give them daily so you don't "over do". These hounds tend to gain weight easily, and you don't want an overweight little guy. Too hard to get the weight off. Don't underestimate their ability to get people food. My beagle can outsmart anyone when it comes to food. One day he grabbed a just roasted pork roast off the counter when my back was turned. They are mighty quick.

Enjoy Bernie.

herc.

 

[WilmaBud]

My beagle, Freddie (who passed away in Oct. ) once got into the fridge! I had left a dishtowel hanging from the fridge handle, and that's all she needed. She and Wilma had a feast: leftover stuffed london broil, potatoes chantilly, etc. They even got into the produce drawer! We used to call her "The Great Freddini." In fact, she and Wilma (both 14 years old at the time) got into the trash (which was in a closed cabinet) just 3 weeks before Fred died.

Fred was the most relentless beagle I've had, but they're all completely food-driven. Wilma would take things right off your plate if you weren't looking. She's 15 now, and I'm sure she'd still do it, but she's not steady enough on the old paws to jump up. If one of the other 3 gets into something, though, she's right in there with them enjoying the fruits of their labor!

Beagles are the best! You just have to maintain a sense of humor with them. They're loving, gentle and devoted. But they can be a bit ornery, too (with the trash, food, and, yes, turd-snacking! ). Good luck with your new addition.