Points To Ponder ~

Home Our Mission Our Queens Our King The Whelping Box The Whelping Box 2 Available Adult Female Available Older Pup Points To Ponder Past Pups Shipping Notes From Families

Are You Ready ?

Bringing a new puppy into your life is an exciting experience ! Here are a few things we'd like you to think about first....

Your Home

Are you able to provide a safe environment for a puppy ? Bassets are very curious creatures by Nature. They are a Scent Hound, which means they prefer to follow thier noses rather than their people. A fenced area is a must in order to allow free roaming, exercise and exploration. A puppy or dog should never be chained or caged outside. Not only is this inhumane, but can lead to behavior problems such as nuisance barking, digging, and aggression.

The Little Bundle of Joy

It is always an exciting time when a new puppy joins your family. However, puppies do grow up to be DOGS ! Every puppy will eventually get out of the 'cute and cuddly' stage and enter into what we call THE DAMMIT STAGE. Be prepared to allow for your puppy's mistakes ! Chewing on treasured items and furniture is very common. Growing up is a process filled with new experiences and learning. Patience is a must when raising a puppy to become a well behaved and balanced dog.

Your Life Style

Many people expect a Basset to be lazy or dumb (yikes !). A Basset knows that his/her job is to "Follow that scent !" and often times they are much more interested in what they're sniffing, than what their humans would like them to do. Bassets were bred to be hunters and they do require a good amount of exercise to stay happy and in good physical shape. A quick 10 minutes in the back yard every day just will not do. A bored Basset will become lazy and overweight in a hurry. Brisk walks every day are essential for a Happy Hound.

We also recommend enrolling in an obedience class. A class will not only teach your dog to be a good citizen, but also allows the owner to know how to deal with certain situations. An obedience class can be very rewarding and a terrific bonding experience for the both of you !

Family Support

Before adopting a puppy into your life, please make sure that EVERYONE is on board with the decision. A puppy is a big responsibility, and everyone in the home must be up for the task. Small children should be supervised at all times. A Basset puppy, though a sturdy breed, is still fragile and must be handled carefully. Other pets in the house must be taken into consideration as well. Remember, bringing a puppy into another pet's domain can open up a host of conflict. What was once a happy and well balanced home, will be a bit disrupted with that new bundle of energy you'll be bringing in ! We advise that if you are picking your puppy up from the airport, that you use a towel and rub your pet with it - around the face, under the tummy and rear. Take this towel with you to the airport, and rub your new puppy with it. This will put your other pet's scent on the puppy. The first introduction will go a lot smoother if puppy already smells like your other pet.

Health and Well Being

Your choice of food is an important decision. Be prepared to buy a premium and high quality food. Bassets can be finicky eaters and can have allergies to certain ingredients. Treats are a very good tool for training, however, those big droopy eyes seem to constantly beckon for 'just one more'. Keep treats to a minimum.

Be prepared for vet visits. Regular veterinary exams will ensure a healthy dog. Emergencies and accidents/injuries can occur. You must prepare yourself for the unexpected.

TAKE THE TIME TO VISIT THIS SITE ABOUT A DANGEROUS PUPPY TOY. WE HOPE NO OTHER DOG WILL SUFFER THE WAY CHAI HAS
http://www.thechaistory.blogspot.com/
A LINK TO THIS SITE IS ALSO PROVIDED ON OUR MISSION/HOME PAGE

So, Are You Up For The Challenge ?

A Basset Hound can be a wonderful addition to any family. There is a great deal of commitment and resposiblity focused on being a good pet owner. With proper care and consistant attention, a Basset will have a long and healthy life. We urge all of our new puppy people to spay or neuter their pet. Breeding dogs can be exciting, but also exhausting, time consuming and expensive. To avoid unwanted litters, we advise that you talk to your vet about the ideal timing to spay or neuter. Please feel free to ask us about adopting a Basset - we would be happy to help you make an informed decision if one is right for you !