Bassett Hounds and Beagles, pros and cons please

[BaconAndAvocado]

We're considering getting a dog and the above breeds have always appealed.

Does anyone have any experience of either breeds?

We would like to have it from a puppy.

Also, what does KC mean? I've seen it a lot,on different dog sites.

[TrionicLettuce]

'KC' is an abbreviation of Kennel Club which is the registry for pedigree dogs in the UK. Whilst it's not remotely a guarantee of someone being a decent breeder I would expect any decent breeder (providing their breed is recognised by the KC) to register their puppies.

The Beagle Club have a good introduction to the breed on their site. The breed characteristics page is well worth a read.

Basset Hound wise, have a read of this from the Midland Basset Hound Club and those from Basset Hound Welfare (the "position in the pack" stuff is bollocks but the rest of that point isn't).

What is that has drawn you to the two breeds?

[BaconAndAvocado]

Thanks trionic

I'm not sure what's drawing me to these breeds......I love the look and size of the beagle and I often meet one on the school run who is lovely and friendly. A friend has a bassett who is lovely.

We don't want a huge dog or a tiny "designer" type,dog.

[tinymeteor]

I can tell you all about Beagles...

Do not get one just because they look appealing! They are fantastic dogs but notoriously stubborn, greedy, and prone to wandering off to follow their all-powerful noses. Training a beagle is a long term job. As in years.

Advantages: brilliant with kids, no aggression with people or animals (except maybe cats), very cuddly and rewarding pets. A healthy breed with few congenital defects and no exaggerated features (unlike Bassets). Not too big. Not at all neurotic, can be left alone for up to 5 hrs if you build up to it gradually as a pup. Require very little grooming. And they do look great.

Cons: they are crimelords. They steal food because they are massively greedy. They steal other stuff and run around with it just for kicks and to get your attention. They roll in fox shit. Mine eats it too. Some of them bark, a lot. And their recall off the lead is notoriously sketchy, sometimes nonexistent. They can be trained with food rewards but they won't do anything for free. Beagle obedience has to be bartered for, every bloody day.

[acornsandnuts]

We had a Bassett, he was very hard work, walking was always an event. They are very strong big dogs with short legs, very stubborn, scent obsessed hounds.

He once ate a sofa and I lost most of my shoes.

I loved him dearly but would never have another.

[wishesandkisses]

I have a beagle who I got as they are known for their good temprement around children. As much as I love him that's his only saving grace when he flies off after anything that moves. Been to classes, everything. It's in his breed and it's not uncommon. He's also very clingy, stubborn and anxious (due to all his energy). Have taken him on 3 hour walks and after 10 mins he's up for round two bless him. He's a lovely, kind loyal dog and a massive part of our family but I would never get another. Also, he's very clever in sneaking food. Look away for a second and its gone the little piggy!

[Blackbird82]

As others have said, Beagles have very poor recall therefore finding suitable places to walk them safely off lead may be tricky and training is a very long and arduous ongoing process! Personally I wouldn't say they are a suitable dog for a novice owner....I think you need to do some more research and figure out what is best for your lifestyle rather than looks

[foofooyeah]

tinymeteor that made me laugh, especially the running around with stolen items.

I have a beagle x pug: I love him more than my husband.

He actually has quite good recall. He is v cute and great company.

Love the look of Bassett but no experience.

[onelittleclara]

We have an 8 year old basset male, who is so loveable and gentle. Fantastic with the children, mad as a box of frogs. But they STINK!
They shed hair all year round, they are stubborn and naughty and don't seem to brake very well when they run, so stand clear.....

Did I mention they STINK?
But otherwise a brilliant dog to have

[BaconAndAvocado]

Wow! Fox shit eh?????

I know hardly anything about dog breeds having grown up with cats(DH is allergic hates cats )

I have 2 DCs at home aged 8 and 10.

Ant more ideas?

DH thinks a husky or an Alsatian would be a good idea....... I will be doing the vast majority of walking.

[DonaldFlump]

Bassets are wonderful - kindly, affectionate, laidback, happy to walk miles or nap for hours, and so, so beautiful. Their bark is a real Big Dog bark, and when they bay, it's like singing.

BUT, they also weigh a ton, get very sad without human company, have a very specific bassety smell (like biscuits, I think, but my nose has retuned itself), they shed year round, are tricky but not impossible to train, and can steal food from counters you can't believe they can reach. Luckily, their positive traits normally make you forgive all these foibles.

If you're thinking of getting a basset hound please make sure you go to a responsible breeder who tests for various conditions - there are a lot of puppy farmed/backyard bred bassets because the puppies are so cute, and the resulting health issues can be a heartbreaking nightmare. The Midlands Basset Club website, mentioned above, is a great place to start, and there are branches nationwide. Basset Welfare is also a good reference point; you get very realistic advice about ownership.

I love beagles too, but they are way too high energy for me. I've never met a beagle owner who didn't use the word 'naughty' within 60 seconds of introducing their innocent-looking hound.

[DonaldFlump]

As a rule of thumb, it makes sense to consider what a dog was bred to do - and then ask yourself if that fits in with your lifestyle.

Huskies were bred to pull a sled for miles and miles in freezing conditions - so if you're not up for endless walks, they might not be ideal companions. They're also prone to finding their own endless walks, if the humans aren't providing them, and recall is a bit of an issue.

[TrionicLettuce]

Siberian Huskies are pretty specialised dogs. They need a lot of exercise but at the same time they are generally not trustworthy enough off lead to be let off anywhere that isn't properly secure. The breed club have a pretty honest list of bad points about the breed which is definitely worth a read if you're considering one.

German Shepherds can be fabulous dogs (though active and in need of plenty of mental stimulation) but they are something of a minefield in that there are a lot of types within the breed that can be very different indeed. You also need to be very careful to choose a decent breeder (should you want to buy a puppy) as temperament and health need to be very much the priority for the breed.

Consider what is it you want from a dog. Do you want an exercise companion who will hike/run with you? Or are there any specific activities you want to do with a dog? Do you want a dog who is always into everything you are doing or one that is more chilled out and independent?

Also consider what you can offer a dog. How much exercise can you manage on a regular basis and what sort of dog walking do you have access to? How much grooming are you happy to do? How big is your house/garden/car?

[SouthPole]

Don't get a beagle. You're not experienced enough for that breed.

Although mine has amazing recall. Nothing but absolute pot luck.

Seriously, google the phrase "we've just been beagled".

[SouthPole]

Yeah, he's rolling in something gross there.

Husky will be too much from the sound of it as will a GS.

Instead of going for a named dog as it were, head to your local experts - rspca or dog's trust.

They'll help you find a dog that suits and needs you.

Don't just buy another puppy off the rack. There's enough out there needing homes already and youve proven yourself somewhat naive in your attitude, no disrespect meant.

[BaconAndAvocado]

No disrespect taken southpole I know very very little about owning a dog.

Your beagle is beautiful, bar the rolling in faeces bit

[Bassetfeet]

You can spot a beagle owner easily. They are the ones standing wearily by gate with empty lead and resigned expression . Beagle far far away
Gorgeous happy dogs with a huge range of vocals from trilling to yodelling to barking .
I lost the tussle on the foodfront recently . A freshly cooked gammon joint .
Heard the plate thud . They are food mad .

[SouthPole]

He really is thanks!

I honestly believe a mut who has spent a good while in a foster home proving his worth with children is the way forward.

We've always had rescues, inc Jeremy Beagle!

Smelly fucker tho he is.

There's no rush just get yourself around the dog homes. Many tear animal rescue house their dogs in proper homes and provide like a diary for them so you can see how easy they are, how they like kids, other dogs, shit up the walls, raid the bins, shred the couch, spread anal gland juice all over your soft furnishings...

Yeah, welcome to the world of the beagle!!

Many tears animal rescue are amazing and like I say, all dogs are road tested so no surprises and no returns - look at their website and liaise with the staff. They deal with ex breeders but are happy to house the right dog with a family with children unlike the jumpy big shelters (rspca, I'm looking at you!).

You have all the time in the world to get this right and then a life time of canine joy.

Trust me on that and good luck!!

[TheGiantSausage]

My basset cross is the best thing in the whole world, she's affectionate, intelligent, funny, polite (doesn't beg) and cute but also incredibly stubborn at times (she literally will not walk a certain way if she doesn't want to), she's barky and does definitely have a biscuity smell.
She likes a lie in and hates the rain.
She gets a million compliments everywhere we go and she loves being fussed.
She's perfect. But she's a rescue and I do think a lot of her good traits must be down to her previous owners rather than just breed.
She's also prone to ear infections so it might be worth researching that if you do go for a basset as I think it might be a breed issue.

[mrslaughan]

No to a husky or Alsatian - for all the reasons above .
Love beagles but I would never have one.
Have a think honestly about how much exercise you are happy to do..... I chose a lazy breed , who is happy with an hours walk a day and then to hang with me for the rest of the day..... I am a sahm , so that works for me. He doesn't get separation anxiety, but is a breed that like to be with "their" people , though I would say he is interpretation of "their" people is quite wide , as long as he has meet you once and you pay him attention - you are one of his people......
Anyway I degress - activity level that you are happy with is really important , actually I should say that is not only walking - but also using their brain - many spaniels for example require along of mental stimulation, because they were bred to be good at a job.
Have you thought about a whippet? Or lurcher?

[DearMrDilkington]

Don't get a husky!!You aren't experienced enough for one.

Try not to get a dog because of how it looks, go by the personality and as a pp said, what it was bred for.

I absolutely love Bassett hounds but a lot of things about them put me off. Such as the shedding and the urge to follow a scent for hours when they're on a walk.
Good luck and research like mad before you commit.

[PoohBearsHole]

Good luck with your choice, really do proper research as it would be heartbreaking for everyone if you felt overwhelmed and decided to rehome.

And puppies....cute but holly moly they can be messy, chew everything and they can cry. A lot. It's like having a new baby, except for a shorter period 😁

[DearMrDilkington]

Forgot to say -

When looking for a breed you need to think about:

How many hrs daily will the dog be left on its own.
How long a day can you commit to walking.
common health problems, which is a big one to look into.

[RayofFuckingSunshine]

We have a beagle. She is beautiful and wonderful with the kids - but as said above, that really is her only saving grace.

I frequently find her stood on the dining table looking for scraps, she has trained the smallest child to share her food from the high chair, she has wonderful obedience only when you have a handful of treats, otherwise we are mercilessly ignored, she knows which pocket I keep my walking treats in and will sneakily grab them out when I am distracted, a more stubborn dog you have not met and oh my word the fox poo. She will find it, it doesn't matter where or how, she will find it and she will roll in it and then she will come and rub up against you like a cat.

[MrsPotatoHead80]

We have a basset x cavalier King Charles spaniel & he is the best dog ever!
He's pretty lazy, doesn't like the rain & is a bit smelly sometimes but he is sooo good with children, so very loving & pretty good off the lead once he knows a place & its smells.
Absolutely wouldn't be without him

[foofooyeah]

mrspotatohead Any chance of a photo of your dog??