Houndful Hearts includes Maggie and Kyla (Maggie's daughter), their European Bassets, and their rescued American Bassets (Kyla is pictured above with some of their American Bassets). Their Bassets are a part of their family and are never confined to a kennel or in a pen outdoors; rather, they sleep in their home. Mealtimes and playtime are special “family times.” Every day—rain or shine—they go to the beach to run and play in the sand and the sea. There’s one thing you should know: Basset Hounds are not natural swimmers. They are like submarines. They sink! However, with a lot of patient re-enforcement, all their Bassets have been taught to swim well enough to survive the occasional rough wave that hits our Oregon coast. None of them will ever win an Olympic medal for their swimming ability, but each one has gotten themselves back to land without help.

 

Whether at the beach or at home, their Bassets are well-mannered enough to be leash-free. However, Bassets were bred to be hunting dogs, their hunting instincts and their sharp noses get the best of them and off they go! Although Maggie and Kyla have never lost a Hound, they never encourage anyone to walk their beloved Hound without a halter (never, ever a neck collar) and leash. 

 

Unlike some breeds of dogs, the Basset is an extremely social animal.  Each one loves to be a part of a pack. They crave snuggling and playing with their pack, which includes their humans. Bassets Hounds typically do not do well left alone without a pack member. Maggie and Kyla encourage all Basset Hound owners to have another dog, a cat, or a human with the dog 90% of the time. Left unattended and under-entertained, Basset Hounds will show their displeasure by being very naughty in the house or in the yard.

 

Maggie and Kyla have found that the Basset Hound was their breed of dog from the get-go. Bassets are independent and sassy and so friendly! Over the years, they have had up to 13 total in their home at once. That is a HOUND-FULL! They foster the Hound, clean them up, give any needed medical care, spay or neuter, rehabilitate them, and adopt them back out to forever homes. It’s been a wonderful life for them. Kyla works two jobs as an R.N. to support their need to rescue.

 

After talking to several well-known breeders and getting addicted to their amazing "Basset" passion, they knew they had to breed European Bassets to improve the breed overall. Though, they will continue to rescue Bassets as the need arises. If you would like to learn more about their fantastic rescue stories, go to their Facebook page: Florence Houndful.

 

The temperament of European Bassets is mild-mannered and laid back—a characteristic they seek in their breeding stock. They have never met a Basset that does not love children. They have never had a biter or a growler within their pack. They have found Bassets to be great playmates with small children. But watch them if your toddler has any food in hand…your Basset will think that food is meant to be shared!

 

Now, the nitty-gritty: potty training. Your Basset will not come to you potty trained.  This is a difficult lesson for a Basset to learn (along with heeling on a leash). Do not give up. Patience, love. and rewarding with a treat will get the job done!