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Is A Basset Hound The Finest Pet For Your Family Members-The Pluses And Minuses

Basset Hounds are a preferred breed of dogdue to the fact they are so good-natured, laid-back, even-tempered and calm. Even with all these good characteristics there are a number of issues that aren't so great. No matter how many negative things people bring up, a Basset Hound owner will be able to disregard them and say their pets are the finest in the world. Below you will find the good points along with the undesirable ones so that you can constitute your own mind whether or not a pet Basset Hound will be right for your family members.

Pros:

Bassets are independent problem-solvers and are quite clever, likely due to their hunting genes.

They love the outdoors and are perfect for a family that enjoys hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.

They are a social, good-natured breed not only with people, but also with other dogs and cats.

Your pet Basset Hound will enjoy being physically close to their humans and with proper training they are good with children.

Their coats are easy to maintain even with all their shedding. Brushing every day will be keep the shedding to a minimum and will be something they look forward to.

Generally, Basset Hounds are a healthy breed.

Having fun appears to be their favorite pastime as they happily go through life.

Cons:

Bassets cannot swim because of their heavy torsos and short legs.

They are short, but, because of their long bodies, they can reach things on tables.

Their long ears can lead to ear ailments, while eye disorders are possible because the folds under their eyes can accumulate dirt and cause infections.

A pet Basset Hound likes to just lie around so you must exercise them regularly in order to maintain a healthy weight.

This breed has a tendency to drool, which is messy, and can cause yeast infections around the mouth if not kept clean.

Since they are trackers, finding a scent and following it is what they do best, which means it may be a challenge to control them because they are so strong.

When walking you pet Basset Hound you must keep it on a leash. If they find a scent they like they will take off and not hear a single command to come back.

Shedding is an on-going situation with Basset Hounds but can be controlled with regular brushing. Their doggy odor is a turnoff to some people.

House training can be a real challenge, especially as puppies, but it must be done. Crate training is the best way to do this as it gives them a safe place to be while you are away.

Overall training will need to be done with much love and patience as your pet Basset Hound can be stubborn and independent. Don't discipline them as they will get their feelings hurt and then sulk. Many times the best way to train them is with food.

You shouldn't leave your pet Basset Hound outside by itself as they have a tendency to bay or howl when lonely. The neighbors won't appreciate this and many won't tolerate it.

Bassets can be dumpster divers. Keep your trash covered at all times.

If a fast walk with your dog is important to you, a pet Basset Hound may not be the proper choice. Their short legs and tracking instincts can make a walk with them a slow activity.

Because they are long and low, they can have back problems and may need help getting into a high space (an automobile, for example).

While Basset Hounds are a healthy breed overall, one major problem they can have is Thrombopathia (a bleeding disorder). Normally buying your pet through a reputable breeder will minimize this problem along with any others.

Even with this long list of faults the typical Basset Hound owner will tell you the good traits far outweigh the bad ones as far as they are concerned. The first time you look into their eyes is probably when you decide this might be the ideal pet for you. Before you decide one way or the other visit a local breeder and some owners. You will likely come away with a new found love of these unique pets. If you are an active family with the will power and good humor needed to train them, then a pet Basset Hound just might be what you are looking for.

About the Author

If you are a pet owner or thinking about becoming one you should visit
Natural Pets Health
to get more information on natural pets health foods, products & cures. You will also find general information such as the pros & cons of owning along with the caring for & feeding of all types of pets from dogs to snakes to fish to exotics.

Does anyone have a black and tan coon hound as a pet?...?

My fiancee and I are about to move into his house together and we decided on getting a pet. Im home most of the time so i kind of want it inside some of the day. We live in the country and have lots of hunting dogs but i want a black and tan coon hound puppy for a pet. Does any one know how they behave and how they adjust inside...

I own an English Pointer and a Catahoula Leopard Dog http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.loadngoinc.com/Black%2520%26%2520Tan.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.loadngoinc.com/puppies1.htm&h=632&w=480&sz=80&hl=en&start=2&um=1&usg=___xKsHkiGW34aRbNeXVIBlz9dXlE=&tbnid=PZs9eHtrv3_F9M:&tbnh=137&tbnw=104&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dblack%2Band%2Btan%2Bcatahoula%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Well besides their loud barking and baying...we manage having both in our house. They hunt things in our yard all the time...sorry i know its not a coon hound but im sure you would go thru similar situations...

Personally hounds love other dogs and enjoy their company immensely...thats why we got the catahoula puppy to not only be a wonderful pet but also to keep my pointer happy.

If you want a dog who...

Is medium to large and about as athletic as you can get!
Has a short easy-care coat
Is energetic and loves to hunt and work outdoors
When well-exercised, is easygoing and laid-back indoors
Is good-natured with people and other dogs
A Coonhound may be right for you.

If you don't want to deal with...

Vigorous exercise requirements
Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
Strong instincts to chase other living creatures that run
"Selective deafness" whenever his tremendous nose and exploratory instincts send him running after adventure
Stubbornness
LOUD baying
Shedding and a houndy odor
A Coonhound may not be right for you.

If I were considering a Coonhound...

My major concerns would be:

Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Coonhounds MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by baying and destructive chewing. Bored Coonhounds are famous for chewing through drywall, ripping the stuffing out of sofas, and turning your yard into a moonscape of giant craters.

If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog hunting or running or hiking or biking or swimming, I do not recommend these breeds. Coonhounds were never intended to be simply household pets. Their working behaviors (sniffing scents, chasing things that run, exploring, baying) can be a nuisance in a normal household setting. Trying to suppress these "hardwired" behaviors, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult.

Bounciness. Young Coonhounds (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people.

If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Coonhound puppies. The temptation to play roughly is simply too strong in many young Coonhounds.

Chasing smaller animals. Coonhounds have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals.

Fence security." To keep your Coonhound in, fences should be high, with wire sunk into the ground along the fence line to thwart digging.

Coonhounds cannot be trusted off leash, unless they are being worked in a pack in the woods and there are experienced dogs who will show the younger ones how to return to the hunter. A single Coonhound allowed off-fleash will take off -- oblivious to your frantic shouts -- after anything that emits an odor or runs.

Stubbornness. Coonhounds are not Golden Retrievers. They are independent thinkers who don't particularly care about pleasing you. Most Coonhounds are very stubborn and can be manipulative. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.

To teach your coonhound to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Coonhound Training Page discusses the program you need.

Noise. Coonhounds should never be left outside in your yard, unsupervised. Their deep voice is extremely LOUD and carries a LONG way. Their baying will have your neighbors calling the cops to report the nuisance -- or quietly letting your Coonhound out of his yard so he'll wander away.

Shedding and houndy odor. Coonhounds shed more than you might think. Their short, coarse hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your upholstery and clothing. Also note that Coonhounds have a distinctive "doggy" odor to their skin and coat that some people find offensive.

Not all Coonhounds are alike!

There are energetic Coonhounds, and placid Coonhounds.
Hard-headed Coonhounds, and sweet-natured Coonhounds.
Serious Coonhounds, and good-natured goofballs.
Introverted Coonhounds, and Coonhounds who love everyone.

If you acquire a Coonhound puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up

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