Basset hounds
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Southeastern Pa.
Posts: 103
RE: Basset hounds
good on rabbits. in my neck of the woods the old timers used to cross basset hounds with beagles. the results were varied but what they were hoping for was a short legged, small bodied dog that would run all day. i hunted over a few as a teen and had some really good times.Their big ears help with scenting game while they are tracking and the short legs and low profile help thjem get under brush that a larger dog wouldn't be able to. If you decide to train them to hunt rabbits I'm sure you will become addicted to rabbit hunting with your bassets.
#6
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Lawrenceville, GA
Posts: 111
RE: Basset hounds
Mr.Pants, I have never heard of one being used for birds, but I guess there is an exception to every rule. They are bred to be trailing dogs, so rabbits, fox, coyote, and even deer all are possible uses for them. They dont have much treeing instinct, so they are not too good on racoons , squirrels, or possums. (If you had one of them as a trail dog and another breed to tree they would probably match up well.) However, for birds they would probably not want to hold a point. They would probably just amble right on into the bird and flush him before you get there.
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 114
RE: Basset hounds
my basset was great on pheasants, ESPECIALLY the ones that like to run alot. mine came from a guy in iowa, but he dont sell em anymore. great on busting rabbits out of thick cover too. great dogs......but STINKY EARS!!!PHEW!
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Posts: 2,584
RE: Basset hounds
Some do make nice rabbit dogs but rabbit hunting has been bred out of most of them AKC dogs. That doesnt mean an AKC dog cant make a nice rabbit hound just your chances are slimmer than getting them from a hunter. I dont have my old rabbit hunter magazine any more but there are breed rescue groups for bassets that hunt there dogs and have trials for bassets only.