Great Tips For The Care and Feeding Of Your Pet Basset Hound

Learn All About Taking Care of & Feeding Your Pet Basset Hound

Basset Hounds were bred for hunting small animals like rabbits. Everything about the configuration of the head of a Basset has to do with tracking. Long ears, folds in the neck skin, wrinkles around the face all work together to pick up and hold a scent. A sturdy body, strong nose, big feet, and large bones also contribute to the Basset's hunting capabilities.

According to most owners of pet Basset Hounds, if you are looking for a great family dog they will certainly fit the bill. They love not only their master, but all family members equally and are gentle and affectionate with children and other pets. They may give a strong, low bark when a stranger enters the house, but, for the most part, they are interested in hunting, or hunting-like behaviors, playing, and sitting with their loved ones. Bassets can be apartment pets, but plenty of exercise is required to keep them healthy and fit. Mellow, might be a good adjective with which to refer to the Basset.

Their sweet nature makes them easy to train as long as their owners are firm and consistent. Rules must be established and you must train your pet Basset to follow them. Their high-powered sense of smell becomes somewhat of a liability when their owners are trying to housebreak them, for two reasons. This breed smells so well, it will instinctively urinate in an area that has the urine smell. Care must be taken to clean and deodorize any area where a pet has urinated. Also, if a Basset is in the act of hunting the origin of a scent that has been picked up by his sensitive sense of smell, it is difficult to deter this hunt whether indoor or outdoors. This is where confident and persistent training will be very important.

Like many other breeds that are solidly built and have short legs, weight gain must be avoided in order to maintain first-rate health. You should feed your pet Basset Hound natural dog food with no harmful additives or fillers. Do research, talk to your vet and breeder before you choose the food.

If possible it would be a good idea to make your pet's food at home. You can buy good natural food but be sure you are sitting down when you check the price. Making the food at home will let you know exactly what goes in it and the quality as well as being less expensive. Make large batches and freeze them for added convenience and cost savings.

There are hundreds of dog food recipes so you can have a wide variety. Make sure the food contains only nutritious natural ingredients with no grains or anything artificial. To prevent your pet's bloating you should feed it 2 smaller meals a day, rather than one large meal.

Try to walk your pet Basset daily. Be sure they are on a leash, since they will follow a scent and, sometimes, not respond to commands. If possible find a dog park so he can run and play with other dogs. If you are lucky enough to live in the country or close to open area they will enjoy being able to track and run to their content.

Your pet will shed so brush them frequently. This will not only help the shedding problem but will also be something they will enjoy and look forward to. Be sure they get plenty of affection as well as gentle but firm discipline. With all this you will have a well-rounded, obedient, loyal pet the whole family will love.