Those of you that
make regular stops to the Bayou know that I am the proud pet mom of a six-year
old Basset Hound named Bentley. I could
fill a book on how special he is to
The Basset Hound
was developed centuries ago in France.
The name “Basset” comes from bas, the French word for low. They are scent hounds, so they were bred to
stand low to the ground. They are
excellent hunters of game such as
rabbit, fox, badger, squirrel, and pheasant
hiding in heavy ground cover. Bentley
enjoys an occasional squirrel chase, he would love to go a few rounds with a
possum, and he can track a turtle.
"I may be short, but I can still play "Basset-Ball." |
Unfortunately,
he has also sniffed out a few snakes.
The snake alert bark is very distinct.
As nosey as Bentley is, he seems to know not to get close to a
snake. I won’t test that theory, we
watch him while he’s outside. He is not
a fan of gunfire or firecrackers so hunting is not his forte’.
Here are a few
more facts on the Basset Hound with commentary by Bentley and yours truly.
1. In trailing ability, the accuracy of a
Basset’s nose is second only the Bloodhound.
Bentley: “This is why I never
get to go out by myself. Once I pick-up
a scent, it is total tunnel vision until I find the culprit or the scent
fades. I’m a four-legged sniffing
machine!”
My favorite coffee cup. |
2. Bassets are mainly used in the U.S. for
hunting rabbits.
Bentley: “Bunnies
beware! I do a great job keeping
rabbits, rhinoceroses, polar bears, and monsters out of my backyard.”
Me: “Bentley, we don’t have any
of those creatures in our yard.”
Bentley: “And you’re welcome!”
3. A Basset Hound’s leg bones are the heaviest
of any breed, any size.
Bentley: “Anyone wanna paw
wrestle? I’ve been trying to tell you
that I’m the perfect weight. I just have
fat bones”
Me: You still don’t get extra
treats.”
Bentley: “My ears weigh a lot
too ya know. Sigh.”
4. Shakespeare described Bassets with “Ears
which sweep away the morning dew.”
Bentley: “Hey Mom, I want you
to start describing my crusty ears like Shakespeare. My ears are simply sweeping away the mud.”
Me: “Shakespeare probably didn’t
have to soak the ends of his Basset’s ears after playing. Do you want to tell them about what happened
to your ears the other day? You do remember
when you were trying to snatch the treat bag?
How am I supposed to get warm scented wax off your ears?”
Bentley: “Daddy told ya
that was gonna happen. You put the scent
warmer on the fireplace hearth. It was
very irresponsible of a pet mom. Did you
learn anything? I notice that you do always
turn off the shredder. That’s a lesson
that I don’t want to teach you by accident!
Ouch!”
5. Some historians believe George Washington
owned Basset Hounds that were given to him by Lafayette after the American
Revolution.
Bentley: “That’s why I think
that he should be on the million dollar bill!”
Me: “They don’t print million
dollar bills.”
Bentley: “Well, if they ever
do, my new favorite President should be front and center. Do you think I’m descended from one of
Washington’s Bassets? Good old Great,
great, great, great, grandfather George.”
6. Basset Hounds shed more than some other
breeds. A daily brushing with a shedding
blade will help control the loose hair.
Me: “I can vouch for that
fact. You shed constantly.”
Bentley: “Well, just think
how rich you’ll be when Basset hair becomes in high demand.”
Me: “Do you think that is going
to happen? I can FURminate another
entire dog from you every couple of days.”
Bentley: I don’t have a timeframe exactly. Someone sold Rottweiler slobber on EBay
once. I’m just sayin…”
7. Basset Hounds could be considered a
stubborn breed.
Bentley: “Well, that is a complete
load of malarkey! I am NOT the least bit
stubborn. The very idea!”
Me: “You can be a wee bit
stubborn at times. For instance, when
you take my spot on the couch and refuse to move.
Bentley: “It’s a super comfy
spot and if I’m sitting there then you obviously weren’t. Finders keepers, losers sit somewhere
else. That’s not stubborn, that’s just a
rule of life. I don’t make the rules, I
just follow them.”
Me: “How about when you won’t
come inside when I call you?”
Bentley: “I am still busy
sniffing and barking at the neighbors.
It’s my job. Are you going to
call me stubborn for doing my job?
Sheesh!”
Me: “So you’re telling me when
I think you are being stubborn you’re really just doing the right thing. That’s an interesting take on things.”
Bentley: “Yep, I’m not
stubborn, I’m just always right.”
Me: “Well, that information
should give our readers some insight to the fabulous breed of dog known as the
Basset Hound for one day. Is there
anything else that you’d like to add?”
Bentley: “Yes ma’am. I want to tell everyone that for some reason
I can’t comprehend, there are a bunch of Basset Hounds living in shelters and
Basset Hound Rescues. If anyone is
interested in having a great guy (or gal) like me, please learn about my
breed. Check at your local facilities
and consider giving a new life to a Basset without a home. Basset Hounds aren’t for everyone, but we
make fantastic, funny, and very lovable best friends.”
Me: “Truer words were never
written. You are the perfect dog for
your daddy and me. Thanks for your help
with today’s post. You seem to quickly
becoming Bentley the Blogging Basset.”
Bentley:
“I am quickly becoming starving Bentley.
Let’s eat we can write more about Bassets another day. Bye y’all!”
We have some things in common, like heavy long ears that hang in everything and get crusty. Mom thins the fur on my ears which makes them feel better and she is always combing out the crusty stuff on the ends. I don't shed, though. She has to strip my coat. I have a great nose too, but I doubt our breed is ranked since we aren't real common. Nice to learn more about you and the letter B in GBGV.
ReplyDeleteHahaha! I did not know that about their leg bones. I don't know if you're familiar with The Pioneer Woman, but I love her recipes, and she regularly posts pics of her two Bassets on her website as well.
ReplyDeleteI think Bentley has an answer for everything. Please let me know if Labrador fur is going to be in high demand too and I will start saving it.
ReplyDeletewow! Great post Melissa!!! I loved learning more about Bassets!
ReplyDeleteI have never known to much about them, so thanks for sharing the info!
BTW love Bentley's photo on the bills!!! hahaha!!! I pinned those to pinterest!! Using your brand new spectacular buttons of course! haha!! Hope you had a great weekend!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
I just LOVE Basset Hounds. They are so adorable. There used to be another blogger who wrote about Basset Hounds and I used to LOVE her blog. Sadly, she doesn't blog any longer.
ReplyDeleteI do love their sad little faces. I think what you call stubborn may be that the Basset Hound knows how things should go down better than the humans around him. Just a matter of convincing them.
ReplyDeleteMom loves Basset Hounds. Did you know there is a Southern mystery series written with a Basset named Elvis as the main character? Written by Peggy Webb the first is called Elvis and the Dearly Departed. They are great! You guys might enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteMarty's Mom
Thank you for sharing the basset hounds with us. Bentley you can come hunt pheasants with me anytime.
ReplyDeleteWe luv bassets - momma has had four of them! Dey's da sweetest pups round.
ReplyDeleteI think number 3 is pretty interesting. It's amazing how strong their bones are. Something I always thought was pretty cool. They are very sturdy dogs and much bigger than one might imagine I think.
ReplyDeleteI've got a soft spot for Bassett Hounds. My cousin used to call them "Blessed Hounds" when he was little. We had a Bassett named Pansy when I was growing up. She wandered in through our cat door because our neighbors were not feeding her . They never did come looking for "Snoopy" even though they were well aware that she had moved in with us.
ReplyDeleteWe BOYZ loved # 2 and Allie is going to SO use #3 against Mommy regarding her diet!!!!
ReplyDelete