How?

[Bassetpup]

I was wondering how everyone got their first Basset? And what made you decide on the Basset Hound breed?

[Southern Bassets]

Good Question!

I can't say I every really paid attention to Bassets or just never was around any until my son brought his to our house!

It was Love at first sight! ! !

We spent three months trying to find one in our area until we found a breeder in North Mississippi.
Somehow during this three hour drive up into the boondocks of the Mississippi Delta (I heard banjos!) we decided that if One Basset was a good idea then TWO was even a BETTER idea! Thus Harley and Hanna.
But who could ever stop at two?
Be real, just not going to happen!

Haley we saw in the paper as being 7 months old and for sale. When I called the people and asked why are they getting rid of her their answer was "We just don't like her" Without seeing her I knew she was coming home with us and away from that house!

[BassetMommy]

Well my husband is a musician and was spending a lot of time on the road and we always said that when he stopped touring, we would get a dog. So we researched and researched for one that would fit our lifestyle. I adored hounds, I knew that. But Beagles were a little to high strung and the Bloodhounds were just too big and don't make very good apartment dogs and we also knew we would be having children. Enter the Basset.

I was doing a lot of research online and found a breeder semi-close to us. He had pictures of his pups online and I fell in love with her. In fact when I forwared the Pic to my husband all I said in the email was "I think I'm in love"

Well that was it. At 12 weeks old we made a cold snowy treck (3 hours both ways) out to pick up our puppy and brought her home. Ellie May is now 3 years old, born 10/31/00. I work at home with my 19 month old son. Ellie May is my Best Friend, she keeps me happy and sane and she always understands what I'm talking about and I understand her as well.

She is the best with my son. Stays out of his way and actually keeps an eye on him when my back in turned. We're expecting again so I'll need her eyes and nose (she always lets me know when there is something significant in those diapers) even more.

[JerseyBlossom]

AArrrroOOO! Blossom here to let everybody know that I am mommy's baby and bestest basset. However, I am not the first. Mommy was looking for a basset for a long time because she fell in love with them at my Nana's house. Her neighbor had three bassets and they were just so great! (not as great as me, though.) She found one in a shelter, but it was taken. Found another one in a shelter and it was named the same name as her ex - couldn't do it. Too old to rename, or so she thought at the time. Strangely enough, she met that one again at his new home. Then another shelter posted a basset mix. She went and found Luther, a basset/corgi who looked more basset than anything, except with shorter ears. His father was a champion basset, his mother a champion corgi who somehow managed to meet at a dog show with disastrous results. The mother had been spirited away to have her litter and Luther and his sister were what was left. They had stayed with their mother for 13 weeks, then she went back home. Luther was 7 months old and looked like Emmett Kelly the clown. He won hearts everywhere. He went through 3 levels of obedience. However, he died of kidney failure at the age of 3. Mommy's heart was broken. She only had her lab, Shadow, until 2000 when she saw an ad in a paper for a free basset - moi. The people had me for almost 7 years and suddenly I was caput! They wanted cats instead. What a lucky thing for mommy and for me, too. I am now royalty and have my slaves twained well. I have only the best food and accomodations and all the love and pets I want (well, almost). I even have my own cat! I stomp for TwiState Basset rescue and I am sure that someday a new brother or sister will come from there.

[MowgliBaloo]

My momma had a Basset- Lahsa-Dande Dintmont mix many years ago and thought it was the best dog ever. The vet said it was the Basset temperment at work.

THEN...when she met my daddy they decided to get a dog. All four girls had to agree on the type and the name. We did a ton of research for the perfect dog. It had to be even tempered. good with kids of all ages, good with cats, not too high strung, able to lounge (two teenage girls live in the house)...then we saw "That's My Baby" and everyone fell in love with the Basset.

Momma didn't want to seem prejudiced with her lovely Burnham from before...but with all the research it was clear the Basset was perfect for our new family.

We got Mowgli last summer...and Baloo over Christmas. They keep us laughing constantly and are truly the best dogs in the world!

[juliette]

My husband and I had spent a long time trying to decide on the kind of dog we wanted. I had been a country girl growing up and knew a lot about hounds. the only other breeds I Knew alot on were labs, shepards, and the small yippy dogs.We agreed that the baset had the quality we were looking for. Sturdy to hunt and take our children on(age 5-9) but med in size, we just fell in love with all of it. We had been checkin out breeders when we were offered Juliet. She was not 'Pure" bred but had lab and basset, both breeds we liked. She needed a good home. SO I'm a NEW Mommy! SHe is 8 weeks now.Juliet is a family member already!!!
Heather, Mom to Juliet

[Holly]

My son always wanted a basset so we bought a couple of books and did a lot of research on the internet - although, after reading all about drool, hound smell, anal glands...who in their right mind would get a basset!! But by reading all the good stuff everyone posted, you could tell they are a very special breed.
We had never really seen one up close so we called a breeder not too far from us and asked if we could just come by to see his dogs. Well, he had a litter with 3 puppies left. A couple was there trying to decide which 2 they were taking. They picked their 2 and there was just one little male left.
We really wanted to wait a couple of months till my son was home for summer break - so we told them we'd be in touch in a few months.
Well, we drove one block away and turned right around and got that last puppy - our George. To this day, we say they saved the best for last!!!
:DHe's the best dog that we've ever had!!!!!
and tomorrow is his 5th birthday!

[Lexie]

Well, the story goes like this. I wanted a Irish Setter---my husband wanted a English Bull dog. I wanted a Sussex Spaniel, he wanted a Boxer. I wanted a Springer Spaniel he had to have a Bull Dog. After about a year of us not being able to agree, he said a Basset was about as close to a English Bull dog as he would get. After reading about them we decided that they would fit our life style. We don't know anyone that has one so we just hoped for the best. I think we made the right choice. Lexie has been a joy!

[Bassetpup]

Sounds kind of like us! My husband wanted an english bulldog or a beagle..lol. I had done a ton of research and found that the Basset was, tempermentally, the best match for our family. I also just fell in love with their faces and ears and feet. I just made the decision and said we will have a Basset or nothing. Now he agrees totally and we will never own a different breed.