Anyone had a Bassett Hound pup? What are they like to train?

[MinnieMounjaro]

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with Bassett Hound puppies. I've been thinking about getting one. I've read they are vocal, stubborn and hard to train. Are they? Also what health issues can they be prone to? I find them adorable and I really want one.

Just have a look at their body shape. That should tell you all you need to know.

Pretty sure @Houndymumma has one!

They're lovely dogs. I've never met one with a 'bad' personality (aggressive, fearful etc), but I think you really need to know what you're doing in terms of buying one given the health issues. They're definitely harder to train than something like a poodle or a lab.

As with any dog, you really need to go into it with your eyes open when it comes to possible health issues. Almost all dogs are plagued by expensive, life-limiting, conditions if bred badly. So do you research on those conditions before you even consider buying and when you do, fully health tested parents only.

Like @TheHungryHungryLandsharks I've never met one with a bad personality but they're really not the healthiest of breeds. They're prone to skin, eye and ear infections and their long backs and short legs also mean they can have back issues (similar to dachshunds).

We have a beagle and they're overall a much healthier option if you like hounds.

I’ve had one! She was the most wonderful dog, silly, goofy, always up to mischief, very protective of me and DC… but you will not train a Basset Hound. Even from a puppy in my experience. They will completely and utterly ignore you if it’s not something they want to do. Recall from any of the Bassets I’ve known is non existent.

The most fabulous, fun loving animals, with goofy personalities, sweet temperament, will make you laugh all day and I’d have another in a heartbeat… but utterly untrainable imo 😂

A friend had two working line basset hounds and they were more like a beagle in proportions. I had never seen them before or since byt wonderful personalities.

I know one who’s gorgeous but ‘training’ isn’t in his vocabulary or genes. Can’t go off lead because he’s got selective hearing and goes immediately stone deaf. He’s a dustbin on legs, eats literally anything especially if it’s inedible like plastic bags and used nappies.
He’s very single minded and you can’t do a damn thing to distract him once he’s made his mind up.
On walks, when he’s had enough he simply lies down. Maybe he’ll feel like continuing in an hour or so…

The lying down on walks is definitely a breed trait and they’re incredibly difficult to lift. Heavy and long. I think they’re known for stubbornness. They’re very cute tho

Stubborn, hardheaded, determined and on occasion, destructive, is my experience of Bassetts.
Supremely strong too, with a very low centre of gravity. A charging Bassett can knock you off your feet (I know this from experience!).

I’ve never known an aggressive or nasty one but they are notoriously difficult to train. And yes, they do just “stop” on walks when they’ve had enough. I knew a lady who had one, I would regularly see her in the park with her dog just….. laid down. She used to take a book because she never knew how long she’d have to wait and she couldn’t lift him.

Aren’t they quite whiffy too?

They are smelly and not very people-oriented. Obviously their conformation leads to health issues as PPs have said, but they are very funny and endearing, so…

My lab was sort-of friends with an aging male BH and his legs were so short his willy dragged on the ground unless it was bandaged “up” for him!

There is a dog trainer on social media under the name of Cherry Orchard - he and his girlfriend are English but train dogs in America. They do loads of videos on breed choices and their biggest single piece of advice seems to be - don't get a hound dog. They think they are really hard to train, need more stimulation and exercise and access to land than most people can provide.

I used to know a few bassets and they howled incessantly and were regular escape artists. Not an easy breed imo.

Please don't get a dog based on how cute it is. Bassets need knowledgeable homes. My friend had one years ago, full of personality, but untrainable for a novice and no recall. She rehomed the dog in the end.

They are - their floppy ears and multiple skin folds lead to yeast infections - plus they're really low to the ground so pick up absolutely everything...

they can be a bit stinky, they are pretty much untrainable, they are stubborn, they will sit down on the floor and refuse to move during walks, they are led by their noses and their tummy. You will also get stopped went out on walks by everyone who wants to tell you about a naughty Bassett Hound they once knew!

However, they are so soppy and gentle, so loving, so patient and loyal. They will adore you and love you. My rescue was hard work, but worth it. They are so full of love.