We have 2 bassets and they are having trouble breeding, how can we help them? Our bitch seems interested but when they try to get the job done she jerks away or lays down. This is the 2nd season that we've tried and we are frankly at a loss as to what to do. Please help thank you

It's quite possible that, because your dogs live together, she thinks he's not suitable! Most bitches are superior-ranked to dogs, and will not breed with their subordinates. You may have to use an outside stud (one with suitably compatible bloodlines of course) and an experienced handler.

He was an outside dog and very experianced. We tried to breed them 6 moths ago but were to late when he was brought to us. since then our male's previous owner had to move so we bought him and he has been with us for only 2 weeks. The two breeders that are here have never had to help any of theirs breed and were no help at all. do you Know any one that has experiance helping with the mating? we tried but just seeemed to frustrate them more. thank you

You are very lucky to have been given a compatible male(bloodlines eye tests etc)

You need to contact someone with experience of breeding Bassets or who has a stud dog themselves as they are not the easilest of breeds(thats what a basset breeder near me has told me anyway & they hav only had the breed 30 years)

Exactly right Moonmaiden,  friend of mine has bred Basssets occassionallly for about 20 years, and apart from 1 dog he had, has always had to use outside help for matings - they are not the easiest of breeds to achieve a mating with!  Perhaps if the original poster wants to say which area they are in someone may be able to help with a contact to assist in the mating?
bye
Gwen

Gary, are they both maidens? how old is the bitch? how old is the dog? as he been used before?

Think you need to employ someone who is experienced in the mating of Bassets, you will have to pay expenses but most will offer their expertise without charge in order to help with the mating of a pair of quality hounds.

He has beem used before we are in new mexico and are sort of isolated no clubs anywhere close and very few bassets at all. as i said before the 2 breeders in the area are not experienced with helping with the mating we bought our female from one and the male came from the other. He is experienced, used for stud and actually the female from his previous home is the sister to ours. He is 3 years and she is 4. She is a maiden, we couldn't find a good match for her until now.

I just bet that if you didnt want them to mate, and were trying to keep them apart, then they would find a way! lol ;-)

Thats true!!

Hi
I was told that more often than not, it takes 2 'helpers' to aid in the mating process...regardless of how receptive they are and that its quite rare for them to mate with succesfully without assistance. Also, the actual position in which they are held is paramount in terms of achieving success while minimizing frustration for them.
Although I know this doesn't help...it does back up what others (more experienced than I) have said...you really do need to get someone experienced in mating bassets to assist you in this case.
Take Care

Thanks for all the info. We would go to someone experienced if there was anyone close. closest breeder is over 300 miles. thanks though

You could asist by holding her and putting your knee under her so that she cannot lay down, maybe his weight is too much for her. I had to do this with my bitch when she first bred. You also may have to help guide the males penis into her.

Good luck :)

OK Thanks We'll try that

Thanks for all the advice. We waited a few days and our Bassets finnally mated. Hope it takes. They did it on their own with no help. My wife let them out together for a few minutes and it happened. Thanks again.

Glad you have finnally got a matting, if it was unatended have you checked them out to make sure the is no damage to either or both of them. Dogs really should be steaded and can damage one another if not.

Thats great news :)

My wife got them layed down and all seems well. Thanks

Our bassets don't seem interested in doing it again. They both seem fine and though they frolic about like they are going to they never get started. is this normal? The tie that they did get was about 35 minutes long. my wife got them turned around and layed down and they stayed that way until apart. no draging or jerking about.