By Patrick J. Kennedy

You’ve brought home your new basset hound! Now the fun begins and your odyssey with this marvelous dog is just starting!

Your breeder hopefully has given you instructions re feeding - the amount - the type and the frequency. In my experience I use the "middle of the road" dry kibble, adding warm water and feed at first four times a day) then drop to three times and finally feed twice a day for life.

I do not agree with feeding once a day! Bloat is the main medical reason, although thankfully not one of my dogs had yet had this condition. But the dog’s comfort is my main concern - how would your stomach feel with one daily feeding? So imagine how the dog would feel! As mature pups, 6 months and over feed in morning and evening and do the same for the adults.

Your breeder should give you an inoculation record , sometimes called a Health Record. Puppies usually get their first inoculation between 6 and 7 weeks and then the 2nd and third 4 weeks later for each set. The Rabies inoculation should not be given until 2 weeks or so after the 3rd needle.

Your breeder should have indicated the de-worming may need to be repeated over the dog’s lifetime. Stool samples can be taken to determine this need. In some areas, consult your Vet regarding the necessity of heart worm and/or tick preventatives.

Each week your pup/adult will need the ears cleaned. I use 70% by volume rubbing alcohol, diluted with water half and half. Use a bottle to store the mixture. Squeeze some in the basset’s ear and wipe with a soft paper towel. Gently probe the length of the ear (inside) to remove wax or ear guck. If the ear is unusually red or the skin raised and ‘angry looking’, please consult your vet as medication may be needed.

Each week, please brush your dog’s teeth. You can also purchase a scraper to remove plaque. Use a doggy tooth paste available at pet stores, your vet’s or from dog supply catalogues.

Cleaning your dog’s teeth is essential for their good health. The plaque build up can and often does cause gum infection which can seriously jeopardize your dog’s internal organs as well as make their breath foul. I can’t overemphasize how important regular, weekly cleaning of your dog’s teeth is. It’s useless to do so sometimes, or when you think of it - it’s got to be done regularly - again after all your own dental care has to be several times daily.

Trim your basset’s nails weekly. I start clipping the pups nails at 5 days and continue it every week. It’s a 2 person job. One to hold the basset, whether pup or adult, and the other to clip.

I recommend placing the basset on a grooming table, laying on their side, feet towards the groomer, then, as your helper holds the dog so he/she does not slip off the table, gently clip each nail. At first the pup will resist and sometimes put on quite a show of anger or hostility - but it is just a show - calm the pup - sometimes be stern in tone - and always complete the trimming. If you give up you’ve lost the battle and the war as bassets are very stubborn. Once again, a weekly trim is best.

From time to time you may cause bleeding. Don’t panic. Use some Quick Stop or other similar product available from the pet store and it will quickly clot.

The basset does not need a lot of coat care but does best with regular brushing and removal if shedding hair. Various brushes and hound gloves are available and use whichever you find best.

Bassets do shed and pretty much all the time. Especially this happens with gusto in Spring and again in the Fall. For this, I recommend a "rake" which is available from your pet supply store. Bathing afterwards also helps which can be followed by another brushing session. It helps to brush outdoors if the weather is suitable.

Bath time is necessary for your basset friend. Always use a good dog shampoo. You’ll need a bath tub size enclosure as the basset is so long. Wet the dog’s coat and work in shampoo. Then rinse. Very important! Always make sure you rinse out all the shampoo - especially under the legs and between toes otherwise your dog will get a severe "burn" and antibiotic will be needed. So rinse carefully and towel dry, then place in a crate with more towels to dry. Afterwards, please groom the coat. Caution! If you use a drier, be sure it does not overheat or burn your basset, especially if the dog is enclosed and cannot get away from the excessive heat. I prefer and only use towels to dry my dogs.

Chewing: Bassets love to chew!

The challenge to to get them to chew the right things. They can’t distinguish between you good leather shoes and an old shoe you give them to chew on!

Rawhide bones are good. Be careful of where they are produced. Use the large one and remove when they are small enough to swallow.

Your basset chews because of teething. That continues for up to 1 year - the urge however is still there. I find freshly cut wood of birch, poplar, alder, etc. to be a great relief for them. Cut into 1 foot lengths. Large beef knuckle bones are also good if you can get them.

Outdoor Runs: I recommend pea gravel - very fine crushed stone but lots of it. Or cement or even asphalt runs - sloped so it can be hosed down and rain can run off. Avoid larger stone as too many bassets will eat and swallow stones and block their bowel. That’s dangerous and expensive!

Exercise: You need it and so does your basset and it’s great to do so together. Walking each day is highly recommended. The length and duration of your walk depends on the dog’s age and condition. Puppies should be able to play in an enclosed yard and have a variety of toys to chase and carry as well as share. When walking your pup be careful not to overdo it as their bones, ligaments and muscles have not yet finished growth. Usually by 6 months of age it’s okay to do a twenty minute stroll, gradually building to longer and longer walks. If you’re a runner or a jogger it’s not recommended to take you basset with you. The bouncing is too extreme for their body type. Get a whippet or greyhound.

Yearly Vet Checkup: Is highly recommended. Your pups inoculation should be complete by 4 and ½ months. They should be boosted one year later at 16 months or so.

My vet follows a three year booster system subsequent to the 16 month inoculations. But it’s a good idea to have a yearly checkup so that any problems may be detected early.

Avoid: Letting your basset jump from high objects such as chairs or beds. It’s also not good to let them pound down too many stairs. About 70 percent of their body mass is in the front so ligaments, tendons, muscles and bone structure can be affected. But especially the Back is at risk.

If you basset must be "on high" on various surfaces, work at training him or her to wait to be lifted down to terra firma.

Every basset owner should have or acquire a good book on the breed. The internet is good and fine but you do not always know the source or the competence of the source for the information. Note: E bay or basset internet sites or canine used book stores are a great source of out of print basset books.

Check questions and problems with your breeder.

Generally the basset is a strong and healthy breed.

Take care that your basset is always on a leash if outside an enclosed yard. Don’t depend on their recall ability.

Never exercise your basset off leash!

They do, they have, they will always RUN to other dogs, children, adults, an object blowing in the wind. Bassets do not "listen up" well. Don’t depend on the fact you’ve had your basset for years and it’s never bolted or wandered off. It can and does and has happened that an older basset can leave you searching or very sad as they have zero traffic sense.

In short, take care of your basset and your basset will take care of you!

Enjoy the Journey