Hi, friends of ours have a border collie and wifie wants a bassett hound pup. anyone any advice. they also have a 4 year old little girl and are looking for a companion for their border but also a good child dog. they have asked me because i love dogs and have loads of books, have told them what my books say about the temperment of a bassett etc but is it a good choice for companion and child dog ? also is there a certain sex that is better than the other as in more placid ? their border is a male but they are thinking of a female bassett ?

My parents had a Bassett Hound and he was wonderful with all the younger grandchildren.  He always raced to meet them (maybe the sweets were an enticement), never knocked them over, but if they lay down he was so pleased that someone else was at his height, LOL.  I would have loved to have had one.

From the hounds I have met I would recommend them but would say to ask lots of questions and only ever buy from a recommemded breeder who has temprement high on there list of priorities.  Dog or Bitch I wouldn't say there was much difference, but if your friends are planning opposite sex to what they have they will have to take into consideration neutering/speying one or both. 

Only minus I can think of is when they get a scent and are off lead, well I can only hope the owners have the same staying power as the hound, but a great sight to see the tail dissapearing into the long grass and the howl of joy Lennon used to let out :) used to make us smile.  LOL smiling now at the memories of him and I can still hear him in my head.

don't know about bassatt hounds but as to what sex to get i would go for a female, dogs of the same sex do get on together but less likley to have problems with one of each. like the other post said though make sure there's no chance of them mating in the future.

thanks you 2 will pass on the info. its not a decision they made lighty and have been searching for a fab breeder for a while, they are on a waiting list from this one particular breeder i think .  not 100% certain but think the border has been already deprived so no mistake matings anyway

I walk my dogs with two Bassett Hounds most days. Brilliant dogs. Minus side is definitely that they will go off after a scent and nothing will stop them. However, he is now able to let them off lead with mine and they have started retrieving balls!!! The bitch would be my choice as she is just so sweet and has been the easier of the two to train to come back to a recall. Also, Bassetts are very food driven and will steal food given half a chance. I heard of one that stole the Christmas Turkey when it was left unattended.