i have wanted a dachsund since before i can remember, i even had to have stuffed ones as a child; the only stuffed dog i would get! my husband on the other hand absolutely adores basset hounds; hes also a hunter and wants good hunting dog. anywy. we have 2 young children (4 and 10 months) plus #3 n the way. are either of these breeds good as family dogs? would they be ok with children so young? how are they sharing attention? positives/negatives to both breeds greatly appreciated! please only answer if you really know one breed or the other; answer on the breed you know. id really like honest personal experience; not "well i heard...". thanks so much!!
2007-07-14 09:52:17 · 14 answers · asked by Sarah M 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
basset hounds make excellent family pets and are very good hunting dogs, when trained correctly. when given the opportunity, they will run and play for hours, but are otherwise perfectly content hanging around with anyone who is willing to give them attention. they are very mild and put up with mild ear pulling and other "annoying" behaviors. they are very social, so it might be a good idea to get two bassets rather than one. that being said, always monitor your kids with any dog and make sure not only that the dog is ok with the kids, but that the kids are ok with the dog - that they know what the dog can handle and to be respectful, etc etc etc.
dachshunds can also make excellent family pets, but due to their popularity they have been overbred the disposition of the breed has suffered, leading to many nervous, snappy, and aggressive dogs. if you do decide to go for a dachshund it would be very important to research a respectable breeder and check with your vet.
2007-07-15 20:42:51 · answer #1 · answered by purpletincup 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never owned either one but have friends who were breeders so I knew their dogs really well. Both being scent hounds, they have some of the hound stubbornness - which you can definitely work with - you need to be flexible enough to adjust training methods to those suitable for hounds.
As far as a dog for really young kids, I would most definitely stay away from mini dachsunds - they're too nervous and they tend to snap. The couple I knew had kids a bit older than yours and the dogs were kept pretty much away from them. Bassets on the other hand are laid back, easy going and forgiving type hounds. That being said, a child still has to be taught how to treat a dog with respect, but the average basset is not a breed that would snap at a toddler who's learning how to walk and falls on the dog.
Check out breeders carefully, especially as to the health checks they've done on their breeding stock as well as the temperaments of a prospective puppy's parents. If the parents, mother especially, are even tempered dogs, you'd be safe getting a puppy.
2007-07-14 10:36:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bassets are usually great family pets and good with considerate children, although I suggest a lot of caution and research before adding ANY dog to a family with children that young. Raising a puppy is kinda like having another toddler in the house, it can be overwhelming on top of the two you have already, plus the new one coming. I would seriously suggest waiting until the new arrival is at least 4.
Basset hounds are good-natured and affectionate, however there are some downsides. The shed quite a bit. They can be difficult to housebreak. They are very good counter surfers. They slobber. They can have a houndy odor. They are intelligent and very good at figuring out things that THEY want to, but although they love you they are not motivated to please you, so training can be difficult unless you figure out how to motivate them.
Also, young children just don't understand how to treat a dog and can be very rough. A dog will sometimes retaliate in the only way they know how - to bite. NEVER leave a small child alone with ANY dog.
If your husband is looking for a hunting companion, he will want to look for a breeder who specifically breeds hunting dogs.
If you have any questions at all about basset hounds, please feel free to email me and I will try to help you.
2007-07-16 03:12:08 · answer #3 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Daschuds and Basset Hounds are great family dogs! =) I know someone who has a dog that actually is part daschud (he has the body of one, although he's as big as a basset hound) and part basset hound. They would be okay with young children, because the person I know had that dog since she was a baby. (she's young) They share attention in lots of different ways, just like most dogs. This dog loves his belly to be rubbed and he just loves people so much he lays on their feet, but he kind of gets in trouble for that. He doesn't really share the attention with other animals in the house, if that's what you mean, but those dogs are really friendly. =D
2007-07-14 10:34:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have owned neither, but being a dog trainer have dealt with both breeds. In my experiences the basset hound would be my choice if I had small children . Dachsunds are lovely , lively little dogs but can be a bit snippy. Not all, mind you~~ but I've seen enough that it would be a concern. On the other hand I've seen bassetts intereact with children and have a high tolerance for 'child play'.
Good luck with your choice and also the new baby.
2007-07-14 09:59:21 · answer #5 · answered by Kathy W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While I like both breeds I had a Wire Haired Daschund he was very fiesty and he could make the bigger dogs lay down. He had the loudest bark he got along with the bigger dogs and cats. Daschunds can be stubborn at times however I'm sad to say that my Daschund Scottie passed away this past May 30th and I do have his pics.
2007-07-14 11:03:03 · answer #6 · answered by **Anti-PeTA** 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a longhaired Dachshund.....i never thought i would own a small dog (i also have a golden retriever). Noah, the dachshund, is very protective and alert. I have heard that they are kinda hard to train ( i adopted mine when he was 5 years old).
I know nothing about the basset hounds.
But you could google the breeds and look at their characters and etc.
Good luck with your decision.....get a golden if you cant decide...;-)
2007-07-14 09:59:28 · answer #7 · answered by curious24 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well in my opinion basset hounds are cute but annoying. way too much barking and it is so loud!!!! they never stop. they are good hunting dogs. but if ur husband isn't gonna hunt a lot i would say daschund. they are good with kids. have lots of energy. when they are old, however they get very tired. not very active. and they will have a lower amount of vet visits. better health history.
2007-07-14 10:42:42 · answer #8 · answered by roxy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i have a bloodhound-a bigger version of a bassett hound. hounds (especcally bloodhoundand bassett) are very gental and loving animals. hounds are sorta dependant went they get older, so they are great with the 'sharing attention' thing. i dont really like duchunds-sorry but i think they are weird. i go for the big dogs, but i love bassetts so i have looked them up on the computer many of times. lol!
goodluck chosing a breed! hope i helped!
2007-07-14 10:01:21 · answer #9 · answered by tayfrog8 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I really know dachshund, as I have been in dachsie rescue for years, and I would not advise that you get one with small children in your home.
Some dachsies are fine with little kids, but some are not and you don't need a dog right now with your family growing.
Wait until the kids are older, then get one.
Both breeds are fine with older kids who have been taught to be polite and kind to dogs.
2007-07-14 10:01:20 · answer #10 · answered by rescue member 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋