Basset Hound Breeders: Puppies, Dogs And Miniature Basset Hounds

Puppies appeal to almost everyone with their clumsy waddles, chubby physique, and playful attitude. Basset hound puppies are no exception. But a host of problems could be lurking in that cute little puppy, from physical to emotional issues. An established basset hound breeder should be aware of potential downfalls of the basset hound breed and help to ensure that any puppy from their dogs will be an excellent example of the health and friendliness characteristic of the  breed.

Basset hounds have a solid physique that is long and low to the ground. According to the Basset Hound Club of America, basset hounds tend to be low-energy, friendly, and need a lot of companionship. Requirements for this breed include regular ear cleaning and an impenetrable fence to discourage roaming, which is a common problem with basset hound puppies and dogs because of their hunting instincts.

Basset hound breeders are responsible for the health and temperament of the basset hound dog breed. According to the American Kennel Club, responsible basset hound breeders should always be aiming to improve the breed's conformation, temperament, and health. The conformation of a basset hound dog is how well its appearance matches the breed standard which has been determined by the AKC. The temperament of a dog is how well it reacts to a variety of situations and how it handles stress. A basset hound dog with good temperament should never show aggression or fear except in very extreme circumstances. A dog's health should be a lifelong concern for basset hound breeders. From the start of its life as a puppy, basset hound breeders should ensure that the basset hound dog receives regular vet visits and vaccinations, exercise, frequent testing for health problems, and optimal nutrition long before it is decided if the dog will be bred or not.

Like any purebred dog, the basset hound dog is prone to some genetic problems. Eyes, elbow and hip joints, and thyroid can all be sources of genetic health issues. The best way to avoid these problems is to only purchase basset hound puppies from basset hound breeders that have tested their dogs prior to breeding. Their basset hound's pedigree is a list of the dog's ancestors for several generations and the breeder should have detailed information about the health of each of these dogs. Basset hound breeders should be willing to share the results of any health tests done on the parent dogs and be committed to only breeding dogs that are free of serious genetic problems. If no health tests have been done on the parents, find different basset hound breeders to purchase a puppy from.

Basset hound breeders should be concerned about the type of home they're placing their puppies in and ask a lot of questions about the lifestyle of potential buyers. Good basset hound breeders never wholesale litters or sell to a pet store. It is therefore a bad idea to purchase basset hound puppies from a pet store or from ads in a local paper because the puppies are likely from poor bloodlines and prone to serious genetic problems. Purchasing basset hound puppies from uncaring basset hound breeders supports poor breeding practices.

The best way to find reputable basset hound breeders is to ask for references from local veterinarians or dog trainers. These professionals are likely to be familiar with basset hound dogs that are healthy, easily trained, and have good, friendly temperaments. Basset hound breeders should be members of any local basset hound clubs, the Basset Hound Club of American, and/or the American Kennel Club. In order to verify that they have dogs worth breeding, basset hound breeders should be competitors in conformation, agility, field trials, or obedience competitions. By attending events like these, a potential basset hound guardian can look for basset hound dogs they like that perform well and inquire about where the dog was purchased or if it's being bred.

A miniature basset hound is not recognized as a breed separate from regular basset hound dogs. A miniature basset hound can weigh as little as 20lbs and is created by breeding two smaller-sized basset hounds. It is necessary to breed only small basset hound dogs with each other if a breeder wants minature-size puppies. Remember to check out basset hound breeders thoroughly no matter what size of dog they breed.

A basset hound dog can make a relaxed and friendly companion for people willing to give a dog the attention it needs and deserves. Basset hound breeders can help to determine if the basset hound dog personality is a good match for someone's lifestyle and want to ensure that their puppies go to good homes. Excellent basset hound breeders will be registered with basset hound organizations and have won competitive titles with their dogs. If a basset hound breeder meets all of these requirements, go ahead and get that adorable puppy and enjoy years of fun and companionship with a basset hound dog.


Sources:
Basset Hound Breed Standard. American Kennel Club. 14 Jan. 1964. 30 July 2007. http://www.akc.org/breeds/basset_hound/index.cfm
Discover the Basset Hound. Basset Hound Club of America. 29 July 2007.
http://www.basset-bhca.org/Finding/Discover2.htm

Guideline for Ethical Conduct. Basset Hound Club of America. 29 July 2007.
http://www.basset-bhca.org/About_BHCA/ethics.htm

Health Policy. Basset Hound Club of America. 29 July 2007.
http://www.basset-bhca.org/Health/healthpolicy.h tm

Getting Started as a Responsible Breeder. American Kennel Club. 2007. 29 July 2007.http://www.akc.org/breeders/resp_breeding/Art icles/breeder.cfm

Mini to Regular Basset Hound Puppies. TerrificPets.com. 2003-2007. JCOM Designs, LLC. 29 July 2007.http://www.terrificpets.com/dogs_for_sale/vie wad.asp?adid=14745