Meeting a basset for the first time, tomorrow

[taobabe]

Hi all,

I will be meeting a basset for the first time, tomorrow evening. He is an abused (and then eventually abandoned) 18 month old stray who was rescued by some kind-hearted people and transported to my area.

I'm not sure if he is a purebred or a mixed breed because I am not familiar with bassets in general. It really doesn't matter if he is or is not---he's still a gorgeous little guy. This is just for my information, only, but I was hoping someone could take a look and give me their opinion.

More importantly, can anyone give me tips on how to approach him and how to make him feel less apprehensive and unsettled? Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

TaoBabe

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[redbassetlover]

He definitely looks bassety in the long snout, long tongue and long ear area.

I can't tell from the looks of the picture his body structure to see if he is pure basset.

I would say the best way to approach is to let him approach you. Go to an open area with lots of space and let him come to you. Hopefully he will come right off, but if not, add food to the situation. No hound (unless really, really abused) can contain themselves around food.

Hope this helps. He is a looker. I know others will add info as well, there are a lot of helpful people on this board.

[jan3luski]

I would add that it might not be a good idea to reach on top of his head. Abused dogs typically don't like it when you reach over their heads (reminds them of the abuse).

Be patient. I would suggest getting on his level (less threatening). Then like Erika suggested - let him come to you.

Good luck.

[taobabe]

Thank you for your suggestion. I will bring something for him to eat. My last dog (a beagle) loved duck breast and I still have some of her treats left over after she died.

Here is another photo that was sent to me. He looks a lot like a beagle to me, but that's because I am used to seeing a beagle and am not sure about the marked differences between the two breeds.

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[toughynutter]

tips on how to approach him and how to make him feel less apprehensive and unsettled?

The short answer is don't let the dog come to you. However that is not always possible. some basic rules
1. Do not approach head on, in doggie language this is a threat.
dogs approach each other in an arcing/circling approach ending side by side not face to face.

2. get down to the dogs level ie sit/kneel. Do not stand over the dog bend at the waist etc.

3. Any hand movement toward the dog should come form low(ground level) to high, not from above the dogs head.

4. do not hug the dog
Hugging Your Dog

The point that McConnell discusses very well and clearly in her new book is that to a dog, a hug (arm OVER its back or neck, leaning on it, confining it, etc.) most closely resembles several gestures of dominance. So we might expect that a dog that is not used to being hugged, or a dog who gets a hug from a stranger (or from a child who may take it a bit too far) might interpret the gesture as one of dominance or aggression and react accordingly.

for more on this see HOW TO PET A DOG

That said if the dog is unwilling to approach you, You really need to carefully consider what this mean in term of time. commitment, to even begin to turn this dog around, and it is highly unlikely it will ever be "normal" i.e. not overly fearful. That is not to imply that it can not be greatly improved but the dog will never be as warm and inviting as most are. It is a huge undertake that few have the skills or the time to take on see Seriously Damaged Dogs

From a practical point of view a dog that cannot deal with people at close range is seriously damaged. This is a dog that needs special treatment and training and realistically few owners or shelters are able or willing to provide more than the basic care it will need.

...Keep in mind that few people have the time or resources to devote to the needs of a dog that fits this description. Shelters should be diligent in their assessment of potential owners who are moved to 'save' the dog that hasn't left the back of its kennel since it arrived. Love and care are important but they will not be enough to change the behavior of a dog that has lived with and practiced its fearful behavior for months or years.

the Fearful Dogs website is a good place to start looking for info on workin with fearful/shy dogs.

could take a look and give me their opinion.

The picture is lacking Not enough of the head and body to make a definative assesment and even then there are pure breds and mixes that fall out of the stereotypical body difference that they still can be confused.
The ear length look more typical of a purebred a basset/beagle ie bagel cross typical has shorter rounder ears some where between a typical basset and beagle. A bagle is general smaller 30-40 for a male straigher and less massive legs (but this trait is also typical of lesser quality bassets as well) The marking and overall "houndiness" do not suggest a basset non/hound mix

edit to add
The high ear carrage (happy and or Inquisitve dog) in the second photo can be a dit decieving and make the skull look rounder. but typically in a basset the top of the skull (fron the eye orbits up) is much longer and thiner whearas in a beagle it is round. The very top of the skull of a beagle is more rounded (domed) with out much of an ocipital protuberance in the basset the occipital potuberance (top knot, smart bump etc.) is supose to be prominent. Again the head shape looks more basset than beagle on with bone mass the legs are a bit straight but not atypical.

[ellie]

The biggest difference you'll find is their size, bassets also tend to be a bit more laid back than their beagle relatives (although that's a generalisation, of course).

With any abuse case you can never expect the same reactions. We have bassets come in with incredibly sad stories but you'd never realise it on first meeting them, whilst others are plainly terrified. From his pics, the fact that he's so close to the fence suggests he's not going to be so scared he's unapproachable, but it's always best to gentle and make no abrupt moves on your initial greeting. Definitely take food, and maybe a toy to see if he's playful.

With the abusive and abandomed past I'd be surprised if anybody ever taught him anything, he'll initially know very little, but in my experience with our rescues, the ones with the saddest stories tend to do really well with training as they respond very well to words of praise and treats having never had them before. It just takes some patience, love (and a sense of humour) on the part of the adopter and they'll almost always find a wonderful companion at the end of it.

Let us know how you found his personality once you've met him and we'll be able to give you some more specific advice then. And thanks for considering adopting this guy - it's about time he had some luck and love in his life.

Letting

[toughynutter]

for comparison a basset next to a beagle


also of note above in Elle's sig pic the Top dog is a purebred basset the bottom a bagel for comparison.

[taobabe]

Thank you everyone! I will take some photos of the dog and post my experience here at the end of the day tomorrow. I will also post his sad little story, just in case anyone is interested in hearing about him.

[taobabe]

Well, I went to pick up the little guy, and he's doing very well. He's currently snoozing on the futon in the office while I am updating his status. Since he has been rescued, and is no longer of interest to the 'rescue' section of this forum, I'll post his update in the general discussion forum. Thank you so much, everyone, for being supportive and helpful of this adoption process.

[elvismom]

That's for taking this little guy in. I'll go look for his story in the other section.