Bassets are excellent with children. I have a 3 year old and they are her best buds. She can do just about anything to them and they don't care. If they get annoyed at all they just get up and move. The only concern with kids is you have to make sure they don't try to sit on their back. With Bassets being low, long and a heavy breed they can have back problems. This is also why you have to keep their weight under control. They will eat anything and everything, so you have to watch them. And don't think just because food is on the counter that it's out of the way.
My husband fixed himself a hot ham and cheese sandwitch,it was too hot, so he sat the plate on the counter to let it cool off. Well in a matter of seconds Lawson reached his long body up and snatched it right off the plate. He had it swallowed before my husband could even react. You will also have to have alot of patience because they are harder to train then alot of breeds.
Make sure the breeder has had all the health tests done on both parents for this breed. A good breeder will be able and willing to show you the results of these tests.The genetic disorders that should be tested for include:
(1) glaucoma- eye disorder has been found in the Basset Hound breed;
(2) von Willebrand’s disease-(A genetic disorder of the blood which may cause moderate to severe bleeding, similar in some ways to hemophilia. Up to 15% of Bassets may carry this platelet abnormality.);
(3) thrombopathia- Another blood platelet disorder, also similar to hemophilia.;
(4) thyroid testing- for hyperthyroidism;
(5)Radiographs (x-rays) of hips and elbows with evaluation by a recognized registry,( e.g. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), PennHip, Institute for Genetic Disease Control in Animals (GDC), Ontario Veterinary College (OVC)).- patellar luxation; hip dysplasia; and elbow dysplasia.
I'm glad to hear that you are researching the breed before you buy one. I'm sure you'll love Bassets. They are just so sweet and loving, and very hard to resist. I know I wouldn't trade mine for anything.
