Bassets
This is Emily. She came to us through the good graces of Basset Rescue when she was seven weeks old. Emily's mother had been poisoned when Emily was but two and a half weeks and bottle fed to this size. Her two sisters had almost identical markings and have since found good homes.
Up to Emily, we had mostly Aussies but as we are 'getting older' we wanted a calmer, more sedate dog to fit our slower lifestyle. HA! Until they get about two years old, Bassets are as active as any 'rat' dog jumping all over the place and jamming their tongue in your mouth! Plus, they are extremely strong and single-minded.
Notice that I did not say 'stubborn'. Bassets are quite intelligent but you might not realize that because when they get an idea in their head (or scent in their nose) they pursue it wholeheartedly and there's little you can do to change their mind. That's what they were bred for, to follow small animals (rabbits) through heavy brush, for days if necessary, to the exclusion of all else. Like most hounds, they have no sense of direction and can get lost across the street.
Their bark is deep and loud and when they develop their trademark "Arrooo" it will touch your heart, but not your neighbor's. A 'bark collar' worked well with Emily, only took about two weeks for her to get the idea. She's quite the watchdog now, although I was told she wouldn't be.
Emily is now an outside dog, which seems OK with her as long as she gets attention several times a day and her evening walk. When she doesn't, certain things that matter to me (garden hoses, sprinklers, waterlines, etc.) mysteriously end up with holes in them. Bassets are 'people dogs', they demand attention. If you don't have the time, get another kind of dog. Next to food, a Basset's family is most important. Emily treats us all the same, me who feeds and cares for her and other family members who ignore her. We're all the same to her.
Here's a downer; Bassets drool as they get older.
Bassets are the 'Clown Princesses' of dogs. Their range of facial expressions is truly amazing as are their antics to draw your attention. Emily will throw and chase her own ball . . . all I have to do is watch.
They are full of incongruities. Emily will not lift her head if a motorcycle drives by, but a kid on a bicycle 'needs' to be chased. A dead bird found on a walk is a 'treat', but a manufactured meat 'treat' is cause for suspicion. Not because I might be hiding medicine in it. Emily, in fact, loves her medicine! Heartworm pills are eagerly chewed and swallowed. Liquid medicine is sucked from the dropper until the bulb collapses.
Emily was spayed at the age of seven months. I've wondered if it will have the same affect on her as a human? So far, she's more assertive and less afraid of other dogs, she's gained weight although I feed her the same, and she's getting much stronger, I can't tell if she's getting anymore hair, but she barks at anything that moves.
Maybe I should get her some "so I don't kill anyone pills" my wife talks about.