What can you tell me, good or bad, about Basset Hounds or Bagle Hounds?

[SoonerDave]

My daughter has been (severely) twisting my arm about getting a dog.

In my entire 51 years on planet Earth, I've never owned a pet. So this is uncharted ground - and I've not yet totally sold myself on it

Momentum seems to be around either a basset hound or a beagle-basset mix (referred to, apparently, as "bagle hounds?"). I've done some reading on various breeds, and it does seem to me a Basset would be a pretty good fit for my general personality - maybe go for a walk, maybe kick back

I live in a suburban neighborhood with a decent but not monstrous backyard, and any dog will need to (generally) learn to spend his time outside - at this point, I'm not sure I'm an "indoor dog" person. And I know how important it is for a dog to be able to play and get proper exercise, and I surely don't want to get a dog and make him or her miserable as a result. That's, as an example, why I'd likely never consider a beautiful Golden Retriever - I think they'd just get bored to death - and I'm sure I'm not ready for that *size* of dog. But I must admit the idea of a big ol Basset snoozing in the living room is pretty fun as well.

So I'm looking for feedback about Bassets and Bagles - good and bad, honest, frank, all that. They seem like good home dogs, maybe a little drooly, maybe a little stubborn, but from what I can tell they're generally pretty affable in family settings. And, no, I have no timetable for doing this. I'm trying to do my due diligence ahead of time and avoid a bad, rushed decision I'd later regret.

Thanks.

[jerrywall]

My basset can't seem to learn he isn't a lap dog. Get's easily scared by loud noises and thunder, and can be a grump. And we totally love him.

They can have health issues. Especially bloat and joint issues, so it's something to be aware of. They're also fairly territorial.

[Dubya61]

While I believe that every broad characterization of any breed is just an old wives tale, I would say that you have focused in on two of the noisiest dog breeds. My dachshund-beagle mix is a "delightfully vocal dog" (euphemism for barks all the damned time for no obvious reason). I believe bassets are much the same.

[kelroy55]

I've had neither breed but I have had Corgi's and they are wonderful dogs.

[SoonerDave]

I've had neither breed but I have had Corgi's and they are wonderful dogs.

There's no question that would probably option #1A in my daughter's book. They, too, appear to be very good choices.

[kelroy55]

There's no question that would probably option #1A in my daughter's book. They, too, appear to be very good choices.

You have to keep them brushed but one of the best breeds I've ever had. Not mine but looks just like the two I've had.

[mkjeeves]

We had a couple of bassets, several mutts and a cat when I was a kid. (not all at the same time) They were okay. In hindsight, I got more enjoyment out of each of the mutts than the hounds but they were good dogs.

[kevinpate]

We had a basset hound when I was young. He had an intensely amorous attraction to my parents bedspread. Before he passed, he was the only pet Mama did not much care for. It was understandable all in all.

[okatty]

We have friends who have had 3 different Bassets and they seem to love them. Also my in-laws had one and he wwas just a lazy teddy bear of a dog in his old age.

There was a beagle in our neighbood who was the barkingest, bayingest dog ever and drove me nuts every time i walked or ran by - more than most dogs!! ha

Good luck!!

[Bellaboo]

Just my humble opinion, a female Rhodesian Ridgeback is one of the best dogs on the planet. They rarely bark unless for a reason. Not to big and not too small, incredible watch/guard dog. Smart, the book says they can learn up to 300 word commands. Very obedient and very good around people and kids., and other animals for that matter. Very short hair so not as much of a hair problem if they are a house dog.

[kelroy55]

Just my humble opinion, a female Rhodesian Ridgeback is one of the best dogs on the planet. They rarely bark unless for a reason. Not to big and not too small, incredible watch/guard dog. Smart, the book says they can learn up to 300 word commands. Very obedient and very good around people and kids., and other animals for that matter. Very short hair so not as much of a hair problem if they are a house dog.

That's better than my kids lol

[Bellaboo]

That's better than my kids lol

To expand a bit, our kids say that we treat the dog better than we treat them. I tell them that's because the dog doesn't give us any crap. lol

[Achilleslastand]

We had a basset hound{Shorty} back in the day that was jet black and truly unique in every sense of the word. Not the most active dog, but as far as giving and receiving affection he was second to none.

[ksearls]

Please go to the shelter or a rescue organization and adopt a dog when you are ready. So many need homes and you will not be sorry. We've had many full bred dogs but my mutt Baxter is the best and healthiest dog we have ever had. Never again will I go buy from a breeder.

[positano]

Just know that most hound breeds (beagles for certain), bark a lot by instinct. Scent hounds can also wander on you if your yard isn't secure. Nose goes to the ground and off they go. At least a Basset won't get too terribly far - beagles can put up some mileage.

[Celebrator]

My sister currently has a Basset {Norman} and she loves him. He is an instant attraction everywhere she goes. He is a large Basset, so not a lap dog. If you are not an active person, then a Basset is perfect for you, because they require little more than a walk to the nearest potty spot and that's it. If you are a jogger, this dog will give up 2 minutes in and you'll be carrying it. Very chill dogs, sleep a ton.
One of the biggest downsides is they can get malodorous pretty quickly. All of those wrinkles in the face/neck capture (sorry, gross) drool and can get very nasty, so keeping their heads (eyes, ears, and neck) clean is essential or you'll have a big droopy, smelly, dawg on your hands. I couldn't have one for this reason alone. Too many folds and wrinkles of skin to maintain.

[okatty]

^ We had same thing with English Bulldongs...lots of cleaning face, slobber and fun stuff like that!! I can see Basset being same way not that you mentiion it.

[loveOKC]

This is a great post. I've been looking for my family of six. I was looking at the English foxhound, but I love the suggestion of a Rhodesian Ridgeback. I'll look at both breeds.

[turnpup]

We've had three beagles over the span of about 15 years. The biggest thing you need to know about beagles is that THEY LIVE TO EAT AND SNIFF. There's a reason the almighty didn't create the beagle to be a big dog. Otherwise, nothing edible would ever stay on a countertop. Someone upthread mentioned that they tend to wander off when on a scent trail. This is very true. If you have a beagle, you absolutely cannot let it off leash or loose. That nose will take it far, far away.

Our second beagle, Jake (bless his little soul in dog heaven), was of the thick-waisted variety (so much so that he was frequently mistaken for a Basset, even though he was AKC registered full-blood beagle). Anyway, his spine gave out one day, out of the blue, when he was only about 6 years old. We opted to have surgery done, and then rehabbed him back from paralysis from the waist down, until he could walk and run again (albeit with a limp). He did good for about 3 more years, then started having trouble. We had to have him put down a little over a year ago. I tell this story because it's apparently more common than one might realize to have these types of spinal issues in thick-waisted dogs such as larger beagles, bassetts, dachtsunds (I know this is misspelled) and the like. So if you get a bassett or beagle, please be mindful of their weight.

Additionally, the bark can be a problem. Our girl, Stella, barks very loudly whenever someone walks by with a dog. She generally doesn't bark at just people. If you have a wood fence, then it's probably not going to be as much of a problem. We have an iron fence, and live in a neighborhood with sidewalks and lots of dog-walkers. Luckily Stella is an indoor dog, so her loudness is very limited.

Other than the issues mentioned, beagles are great! They're cute and lovable and all that. But so are all kinds of breeds, and rescue dogs.

[SoonerDave]

This is all great information, everyone. Corgis are unquestionably an option here I just didn't mention; they are ridiculously cute dogs. And I've already decided that when/if I do this, we will almost certainly pursue a rescue. One other tidbit - Our yard is fenced with gates that I would lock during the day; the backyard is around 90x40 (varies, but that's a fair estimate), so that's why I think a medium-to-smaller dog would do better than a big one, like a Retriever or collie-type, if that makes sense.

A few other notions come to mind: I'm thinking too about things like hot summers; we've got a small porch that affords some shade, but not much; obviously I'd either buy or build a nice dog house, but even those can get hot. Are some dogs more tolerant of Oklahoma summers than others? Also, would anyone here favor getting a puppy over, say, a two- or three-year old dog? I've read that Basset pups go through a "terrible twos" of "mischief," but I have to suspect *most* puppies probably go through something similar. Is it more protracted for Bassets?

I've read about the perspiration/slobber/skin/malodorous issue with Bassets and their ilk, and read all extremes; eg "it's exaggerated, it's not that bad" to "ugh, it's horrible." How often do you bathe a dog that doesn't have the chubby/skin issues, versus one that does?

I'm trying to be the practical one here, because my daughter is in love with these YouTube videos of two beagles owned by a guy I think lives in Germany (?) (well, somewhere in Europe) - Louie the Beagle I think is his name, along with his "little sister." These videos are typically the "cute" stuff, but less of the day-to-day take-care-of-a-living-creature kind of stuff that isn't always so "fun." That's another part of this I'm trying to gauge.

Or am I darned well just thinking about it too much? Wouldn't be the first time for me I'm just trying not to make a bad decision

[positano]

Some breeds are notoriously more hard-headed and stubborn than others, but the breed's energy level will play the largest role in how well your house / yard fit. If your dog gets plenty of attention, play, and walk / runs, you just don't need that much space. I think most dog folks will agree behavior problems are very often the result of boredom. A little consistent training and attention will go a long way. The benefit of a puppy is that you get to start from scratch. That being said, you can certainly find an older dog that is well-behaved. Just spend some time with whatever you choose before you make the commitment.

[ctchandler]

The best dog(s) I have owned were the result of a breeder, dumping his/her worn out old female Weimaraner and her mixed breed puppies. We kept the mom and one puppy and she was the best behaved I have ever seen and it rubbed off on her young one too. I live on five acres with no fence and they would not leave the property unless we walked them off of it. My neighbor a former OKC zoo veterinarian asked me how I trained them to stay home and I had no answer because that's just how she behaved. I'm not pushing Weimaraners, just adding to/agreeing with Positano's comment about older dogs.
C. T.

[kelroy55]

The best dog(s) I have owned were the result of a breeder, dumping his/her worn out old female Weimaraner and her mixed breed puppies. We kept the mom and one puppy and she was the best behaved I have ever seen and it rubbed off on her young one too. I live on five acres with no fence and they would not leave the property unless we walked them off of it. My neighbor a former OKC zoo veterinarian asked me how I trained them to stay home and I had no answer because that's just how she behaved. I'm not pushing Weimaraners, just adding to/agreeing with Positano's comment about older dogs.
C. T.

When I had my Corgi I lived in the country and if the neighbors dog came over he would chase him off but never go past the property line. I never know how he knew where to stop.

[MsProudSooner]

I have no experience with Bassett Hounds. I've always heard that the bad thing about Beagles is that if they ever get out of your yard, they will start following an interesting smell and you'll never see them again.

[TaoMaas]

I've always heard that the bad thing about Beagles is that if they ever get out of your yard, they will start following an interesting smell and you'll never see them again.

That would certainly apply to the beagle I had growing up. He was a ramblin' son of a gun and hard to keep in the backyard. We used to call him, "Hound-ini" because he could escape from anywhere. lol He was also LOUD! When he was baying, we could hear him on the other side of town. The flip side was that he had a ton of personality and was a fun companion for a couple of rowdy boys.