Having a canine guest always opens my eyes to animal behaviour I’m unfamiliar with.  That eager to please, what can I do to make you happy attitude missing from life with basset hounds.  Spend a few days with a Labrador and you get to know the true meaning of a loyal canine friend. Friendship with a basset hound is a battle of wills and constant negotiation of power and reward.  Generally this is their power and reward. Even at their most obedient our hounds barely lower their seats or undercarriages before snatching their rightful treat from our hand.
You only need to flick through the photographs below to see their characters on show. Â Abby, the labrador is attentive to your every command whereas the bassets have a fleeting moment of interest just in case there is something worth paying attention for. Â If you want a dog who will be your obedient and loyal companion don’t disappoint yourself by bringing basset hounds into your life. Â Hounds are fiercely independent minded and strong-willed that know their cute faces and idiosyncratic ways will paralyse your rational senses to leave you at their beck and call and make you their loyal servant.
Strangely, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Even though Labradors are consistent with their undivided attention, if you listen carefully to their thoughts, all you can hear is “Feed Me Right NOW. You know you want to.”
So true Sue. I was staggered how quickly Abby ate her food too. Almost gulped in one go!
Great shot of all your 4 legged friends, Fortnum is really sporting those ankle wrinkles as he gets older, so cute!!
Labs are great dogs, they have such a different attitude from hounds. Labs, bless their hearts, are not the brightest bulbs in the canine box. They’re not dumb by any means, no, Labradors are more simple minded where as the hounds are much more complex. The only thought that ever passed through my Labs mind was “Are you gonna throw the frisbee now? Please throw the frisbee. I wonder if she’s gonna throw the frisbee!” Hounds on the other hand are working out complex physics equations while simultaneously trying to solve the world hunger issues (always #1 for bassets) and of course the answer to cold fusion and safe light-speed travel.
As for their displays of affection, or lack there of, a Bassets love is unconditional, they just assume that you already know this so they fail to see the need to express it needlessly; unless coaxed with food, then they’re quick to give into our demands for recipricatorial (is that even a word?) affection. If you’ve ever watched Star Trek, and who hasn’t, you must close your eyes and imagine your basset as a Vulcan (like Spock), they even have the ears 😉
LOL
Ive always claimed bassets are intellectual dogs that are never happier when they have a fire and a good documentary on the tv to watch!
I love this post. And not only for the awesome dog photos. I am always trying to explain basset attitude to people and I never can find quite the right words. You nailed it!
I know I shouldn’t deploy human characteristics on dogs but I swear basset hounds are just difficult teens in disguise.
Bassets always have their own mind. Usually opposite of yours 😉
That is so very true 😮