wanting to get our first dog-nothing too large - fancy a bassett hound or similar size.have one cat and 10yr old child.any advice???

If you fancy a Basset, go online to your kennel club and breed club for info. I think that sounds like a lovely breed to have with a child from the little I do know about them. But although they're little (short), I think they're heavy. Good luck. Let us know what you discover. It's always good to thoroughly research any breed and breeders (find a reputable one) before getting one. You can go to dog shows and talk to people there too.

Carrie

It very much depends on your lifestyle. You will have to sit down and decide your priorities. How much grooming are you prepared to do? How much exercise are you prepared to give? How much can you afford to feed it? Do you want a smooth-coated dog or a longer-coated? Do you like the look of prick ears or floppy ears? Docked or undocked? Any particular colour? What size? The list is endless ...

The best way to think of a Basset Hound's size is to imagine it with 'normal' length legs. It's a big dog!

Half a dog high and two dogs long as Fred Basset describes himself!! An old school friend of mine (That was very many years ago! :P ) used to breed them. They can also be quite headstrong.

Best wishes, John

BAssetts are great dogs, as the other poster said, essentially big dogs with short legs.  They usually have great dispositions but are not easy to train.  They have a real scent hound brain - that is, all the brain cells are in the nose!  If they get on a scent they like, forget any instruction or command penetrating through!  they are heavy, and you 10 yerar old will have to understand that when a puppy it must be treated with great care (as should any pup of course) it is just that  the unique shape of the bassett makes it a little prone to easy damage, and people seem to feel compelled to sort of dangle them about as pups, which is very bad for the joints and spine.
bye
Gwen

Most scent hounds seem to have their brains in their nose and once the nose is switched on the ears are switched off.

Please take a special note of what Jeangenie says 'HOW MUCH EXERCISE ARE YOU PREPARED TO GIVE'. I love Bassets (though have never owned one) and worry that people have one for the 'cute' factor not taking into account they are HOUNDS ...a dog bred to run the fields in persuit of prey. As with most dogs they need excersise to keep them fit and happy and not just a walk to the end of the road. Sorry if I sound 'preachy and patronising but think all to often people do not really ask themselves 'can I give this dog the right sort of lifestyle?'instead of 'o that dog is cute I would love one'the result is lots of bored messed up dogs with behaviour problems. I am glad you asked the question and I hope I don't sound too rude..not meant to be..at least if I am you will have paused  for thought. :-) Best wishes.

As the others have said, a Bassett is a hound, which is basically a nose on legs, they are not for everyone and need lots of exercise when mature, they have a very deep bark/bay; they are not everyone's cup of tea.  I think you need to make a list of all the things you DON'T want in a dog and that should pare it down to half a dozen or so and then visit some breeders (without puppies, otherwise you will not be able to resist) and see if the dog would suit your lifestyle and if you really like the adults of the breed.  All puppies are cute in the beginning........................:)

Hi
Would be telling fibs if I didn't say that looks weren't invloved when we chose a basset as our first dog....however, it really was more so their traits that attracted us - acquired deafness, stubborness, highly food driven and again - acquired deafness!! (little chance of off-lead walks too)
These wonderful qualities require loads of patience and a soft approach. They are sensitive to any form of 'telling off/training commands' and quickly resort to sulking (mine actually gives off a loud human-like sigh to let us know she's not happy - they are very vocal!).
As previously mentioned, they are much bigger and heavier than many people expect - in fact, its the main comment we receive about ours. The bitches are generally smaller than the dogs and our bitch is 22kgs at 11 months and we can still feel her ribs!. They can also jump heights that we would never have imagined. :rolleyes:
I would ask a reputable breeder from this site, or via the KC if you could pay them a visit and see them at their best for yourself.
Not wanting the above to sound in any way negative.....it was the best day of our lives when Rosie entered it...<<<<as I sit here mopping my brow !!>>>>   ;)
Good luck & Take Care

Im due my basset pup very soon, we cant wait!!! like all the others have said if i were you id consider very carefully what you want from a dog.Bassets are supposed to not be able to cope well on their own. Having said that imo dog's cope with what ehy are used to. One thing that we learned about them when researching is the deep loud bark! id suggest hearing and seeing in the flesh before you decide. We chose this breed because of the look obviously and because they are supposed to be very placid. We too have a cat and two children aged 11 and 8 so i'll let you after Aug when the little mite gets here. I grew up with a bull dog he lived until he was 10 which is good for this breed as they are prone to chest/breathing probs. He got a skin condition too. But he was as placid as could be and very obiedient despite looking fierce. Otis weighed 6 stone and his head was 23 inches wide.
Good luck with your research and let us know what you decide on 0- our 2nd choice was a lab btw.b

Mmmmm my gran had bassets.....

As nice as they are, do NOT be fooled into thinking that because they are short and have little legs they dont need much exercise.

They are not that far removed from the working version (ok physically they are a bit, legs shorter, ears longer)...... they are bred for STAMINA, and a short walk around the block wont cut it.
As others have said, listening to what YOU want is not their strong point, and they are a determined and single minded creature when they ahve smelt something good.

Are you prepared for trudging hours in the rain wind snow etc, with your hound on a lead, because off lead is tricky unless y ou are in a secure area.

Most people will tell you that sight hounds are bad for off lead, but IMO, scent hounds are far worse. The sight hound will come back, once what its chasing is out of sight...... the scent hound will carrying on tracking a scent forever!

Em