Can a basset hound be left alone?

Question

Hi were looking to get a basset hound puppy but have one concern. Would it be ok if left alone for a period of time? I'm a teacher and out all day apart from the holidays. My boyfriend is able to take the dog to work but there will be accassions where this is not possible (for example if he is working in a hospital). Would we be suitable for the dog?

Answer 1

Well, dogs can do fine alone during the day etc., but one thing you might want to consider is that if a Basset starts barking, they have an extremely loud voice.

Answer 2

The Basset Hound is a very calm and companionable breed. They are an especially loyal breed known for their pleasant disposition and emotional sensitivity. Around strangers, Bassets are friendly and welcome the opportunity to make new friends. For this reason they are an excellent pet for families with children and other pets. In fact, it is recommended that since Bassets are "pack" animals, if the Basset must be left alone on a daily basis during the daytime while the family is away, a second pet in the family will keep a Basset out of "trouble". Bassets hate to be alone. Bassets might howl or bay rather than bark when they want something or to suggest that they think something is wrong. This is\can be a complete nuisance to the neighboors, and problems could arise from this. They also use a low, murmuring whine to get attention, which sounds to many owners as though their Bassets are "talking." Basset Hounds are slobbery dogs and are considered to be a "wet mouthed breed." Dog drool on the floor and the walls is the major reason that many Bassets Hounds are given up for rescue or adoption. Its just not fair to the dog. But the choice is really up to you. Please don't put another dog in a shelter.

Answer 3

Hiya

I've had bassets as pets for 30 years, though my current hound is the first I've been entirely responsible for. Basset Hounds are a great breed of dog but they are extremely stubborn and headstrong, if they want to do something, they tend to do it but I've found they respond well to bribes of their favourite treat. If you are going to get one regardless, then wait until the start of the summer holidays to allow adequate grounding etc and get puppy gradually used to being on it's own. I work from home practically every afternoon and sometimes all day and my wife is also a teacher which takes care of the holidays but company is essential as is a house with a garden, a flat is not suitable. They do demand a lot of attention and require daily walks of at least a mile, though my basset soon lets me know if he's had enough for the day and we head home rapidly! We do make sure he gets an outing every weekend to keep plenty of variety. If you're considering leaving for 8 hours or more on a regular basis then forget it. I feel guilty about leaving him for 4-5 hours a day but as he's used to it, he does sleep a lot. We did have a noise issue with our basset and the neighbours, which we felt terrible about but it was people and other dogs walking past the house that set him off, so we just closed the curtains! I've found the females are a bit dense and the males are very cunning. But they have all provided unconditional love and will always be pleased to see you. My bassets have lived for an average of 10 years, but I've heard of some going onto 15-17 years - almost as long as children! I could never imagine having a different breed, but they tend to own you rather than the other way around!

We've not found an issue with destroying things etc but proper training is essential as bassets are pack animals and you can use many subversive methods to keep the basset lowest in the pack, (such as making sure you eat first and go through doors first etc) it is best for them as then they have nothing to worry about. If they think they are head of the household, that's when the tend to panic and cause problems if they're left alone.

Take all the usual precautions when looking for a puppy, search on the kennel club website for breeders, though some will refuse to sell you one if you can't be sure that someone will be around with it most of the time. I'd expect to pay around #700 to #1000 for a basset puppy.

I could rattle on for longer but if you got any other questions, let me know.

Answer 4

ok, well I have had a lot of expierience with a lot of different dogs.
Yes,any dog or puppy can be left alone for a short period of time. Bassetts have a loud bark as they get older and most tend to howl quite loudly.
If your getting a pup, your going to also want to work on house breaking him/her, so the best thing to do is get a dog crate - put a blanket or dog bed in it,and put the puppy on a schedule right from the 1st day. Out to the bathroom in the morning - then come in to eat,drink,play - then back to the crate - at noon time you will need to do the same thing,and again at night and then right before bed. You have to establish a routine - crate training is the best.
Now as far as a bassett is concerned - I had one,and would never own another one - they are cute with there floppy ears and all,but they are one of the hardest dogs to housebreak - not only that,but my vet told me I couldnt let him walk up and down the steps until he got older- something about there backs - so make sure you research the breed good before picking the puppy and make sure you have the time to devote to house training and puppy play.
I own 6 dogs now -
I have a yorkie terrier,4 lhasa apso;s, a st benard and a mastiff.
I couldnt pick one over the other - these breeds are all wonderful - a golden retriever is wonderful to - it just depends on the size of dog that you want.
check out akc website ( i think it - www.akc.og) and also check out www.puppyfind.com
both these websites have a lot of information on all dog breeds. You want to choose a dog that has the characteristics that are going to fit with your lifestyle.
If you want small - the lhasa,the shih tzu,and the yorkies are all good choices (my yorkie is full grown at 3 lbs)

check out those websites and good luck

Answer 5

Any dog can be left alone for periods of time but the amount of time depends on age. Let me explain what we tell people when they adopt a pup from rescue. (This is a general rule - not an absolute).

You can leave a pup alone in a crate approx 1 hour for each month of age plus an hour. For example - an 8 week old pup can be left 3 hours and expect. 12 weeks - approx 4 hours.

If the pup is really young, you'll need to adjust your schedules so you can both take turns coming home to let the baby out of the crate to potty.

Once the pup gets older - usually around 9 months to a year - is house broken, gets his perm teeth and has gone to obedience school etc, you can start leaving the pup out of the crate for short periods of time. Dogs "earn" their way out of a crate much like children learn to be trusted to be home alone. Make sense?

You leave them out of the crate for 1/2 hour to run an errand. If no problems, you increase that time. More time, no accidents, no chewing, more time. etc. That's a long way off but that's how its done.

You use the crate to protect the house from the puppy and the puppy from the house.

This is an over simplification but yes, the pup can be left. It takes work and adjustments on your part. You have to just work together. They grow up fast and things improve quickly.

Your vet, breeder or the rescue you work with can help you with this in more detail.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Any dog can be left alone for a reasonable length of time IF it is trained from the beginning to being accustomed to be left. Right from when a puppy first comes to its new home, it should get used to being left - at first only for a few minutes, building up the length of time over the following weeks.

Answer 7

Depending on the dog (its personality not the breed) and the training you put into the dog, most dogs are fine when left alone for periods of time. Although you do run into the occasional dog that suffers from separation anxiety

Answer 8

I work at an RSPCA homing centre, specifically with the puppies!! We don't let any puppies to go people who won't be at home with them a lot of the time. The main reason is that they need feeding A LOT! & they need a lot of care & attention. While it is still a puppy it will need someone with it the majority of the time, if your boyfriend can take it to work then that's great, socialisation is always good! If you get an older puppy this won't be so much of an issue! Good luck!

Answer 9

Not while it's a young puppy no.When adult it can be left for a while but no dog should be left alone indoors all day.Ask a neighbour if they will let it out to the toilet and check it's water bowl doesn't need refilling around midday-early afternoon.

Answer 10

Any dog can be left home alone. It's all a matter of thier temperment. If they have attatchment problems, they will destroy anything in sight. If this happens, usually kenneling the dog is best while you are out. Make sure they have food and water, as well as something to play with and it should be fine. Of corse, dogs hate to be left alone, which is why I have more than one. Often, turning a radio on helps, as well.