Hiking with a Basset Hound type Dog

[CelesteWV]

I have a great little trail dog, Melly. We rescued her from the pound almost a year ago. She is just a little over a year in age we believe. She only wieghs around 25 lbs and is a basset hound mix.

Her disposition is outstanding; obediant, submissive, friendly as can be, and perfectly quiet unless faced with a potentiall serious threat; i.e. she alerted me at the crack of dawn when wild dogs were outside tearing into my rabbit hutches. She for sure saved the lives of my bunnies. (She got real meat for dinner that night and three new bones!)

She is the perfect kind of dog for the trail, we (my boyfriend and I) have taken her on trails of all kinds since puppyhood. She did her first five mile when she was only 6 months old (resting a whole lot for her of course) and did great with it. She stays on the trail for the most part, and will entirely if we tell her to heal and stay. She response without delay to voice and hand commands, sit, down, stay and come. She loves new people, but now sufficiantly understands not to pursue them in a friendly way UNLESS they come to her in that manner. We have also camped with her, and she fits nicely at the foot of our two man tent.

I have another semester before graduating college, and the few months we have before heading off to grad school we plan to do a portion of the AT.

I am looking for others who have done a substantial hike, we're talking perhaps two-three weeks on the trail, with a basset hound/mix or other some such long-backed dog. Melly weighs about 25 ibs, and a long but firm and healthy backbone (has been vet checked twice), and her front legs turn out somewhat as some bassets do. As a small growing pup, she limbed occasionally, and the vet put her on anti-inflamitory pills that cleared up the limping. I also read about bassets having "growing pains" in their front legs. She has since long grown out of these, and it's been months since she's limped at all. Her muscle tone is very good, and her weight is slim and trim to keep any kind of stress off that long back. She's very healthy. The vet said she has really good mixed breed genes and otherwise strong bones. I think she would do just fine, but intend to do more strenuous long hikes to make sure she can do it with those legs. Anyone else ever hiked with a similar kind of dog?

[Lilred]

I knew someone that hiked with a daschund. That little dog could hike. Of course, he didn't weigh 25 lbs, and the owner carried him, a LOT!. So be prepared to carry him. Those little legs cannot climb rocks.

[SpoonsMcgoo]

I have a beagle/Bassett Hound mix and there are a few things to think about. The first is that you have to keep that bugger leashed. That Bassett Hound nose takes over for the brain every once and a while and he could get into some trouble. The next thing is that the stress of a long hike may take its toll on the old joints and the back. That long body and bent legs are meant for rooting in fields more than hiking in the mountains. They are stable dogs but don't have much clearance or jump so you will probably have to carry a bit.

If you hike with a bassett, keep on a harness with a short, strong leash and I wouldn't weigh it down with a canine pack. I prefer to walk mine around the block and then let him sleep on the couch. He stays out of trouble that way.

[The Weasel]

I've had two Bassets, and the post above is right. Bassets are rabbit dogs, with incredibly keen noses, and once they get a scent they are capable of surprising speed for short distances, but enough to get hidden in thick woods. This can happen even with very good voice control.

I'd also be very leery of hiking with one over any trail that was anything other than smooth and flat. Basset paws are webbed, making them great in marshy areas, but the webs can get worn badly by trails.

Great family dogs, but sadly not a hiking animal. Please be good to you dog and leave him home.

TW

[Kerosene]

I've also had two Bassets, and I concur with the previous posts that their noses will lead them astray eventually, and that they're really not cut out for long hikes over rugged terrain. Even if they do seem to be handling the rigors of a multi-day hike, I'd be concerned that their back or legs might be sufficiently stressed to lead to long-term problems.

[Appalachian Tater]

My grandfather bred Bassets for years. They were sweet and he loved them but he said more than once that they weren't the smartest dogs around.

One time someone left the gate open and they all got out. Most of them just wandered off and a few just couldn't find the way home. He was very worried because they weren't smart or fast enough to get out of the way of a car. It was weeks before he got them all back.

Bassets are good pets, though, and they get along just fine with other animals, including cats and horses.

[berninbush]

I'm going to chime in here just to say... you know your dog, her personality, and her capabilities better than anyone-- particularly as she is not a purebred basset hound. If her vet thinks she can handle it, and the indications you see are that she's enjoying herself and handling the trail well, then I'd say go for it.

[warraghiyagey]

The undergarriage seems like it might be an issue. While your dog might be a good hiker I'm not sure that makes them a good AT dog. Everyday all day with the topography you cross makes many humans have to stop. Bringing a low slung heavier dog might bery much shorten your own thru- or at least make you have to stop and make arrangements for the dogs care and travel if you plan to continue without him/her.

[Critterman]

You mentioned that your dogs front feet are slightly turned out, she may be more susceptible to wrist (carpal) joint problems because of this and may have problems on a long distance hike. Dogs who have feet turned out also many times have unusual wear patterns on their nails and pads so keep an eye on them as well. My dog was a hound mix, long and low, built like a Bassett and weighed 25 lbs also. She loved to walk but those short legs took a dozen steps for each of mine and after 3-4 miles she went from leader to follower. I know she would never have been able to hike long distances. She was the sweetest dog and smart but very stubborn and I miss her every day.

[CelesteWV]

When it comes to the nose leading her astray, my dog is not "hound-like" in the least. She is a pure mutt, and the only way we know that basset is in there is the slightly longated back and shorter legs. She looks like a lab in the face, and he ears look like golden retriever ears. We have been in the woods and on trails enough by now to know that our voice is number one with her. No matter what shes smelling, horse dung, a deer carcass, deer poo, skunk spray, other dog poo, I mean no matter what it is, she comes when she is called. I'm telling you lol, this dog is trained to a ridiculously high level. That's what I do.
I also didn't say she wouldn't be leashed. I intend on this, epecially whie on the move.
I am not worried as to whether or not she can handle it. We've done similar things before, and will of course train harder before the trip. And this isn't an AT hike to see how far we can get in what little time. We are in it for the asthetics this time. We don't have the time or the money to worry about doing a ridiculously long distance. I'm talking a two week deal here, perhaps.
I am also an art student and photographer, and we will be stopped quite a bit for who know how long to make sure I get the shots I want and perhaps to do a little watercoloring.
Oh and also, didn't intend to put a pack on her. Her back isn't as long as a bassets, but its elongated for sure.
I should have been more in depth with what a mutt she is. If a douschound can do it, I believe Melly will be just fine.
Oh, and the area we are tentatively planning on is probably in VA.

[CelesteWV]

Here's a photo of her:

[Appalachian Tater]

You're right, that's not a Basset Hound.

[Phreak]

Have fun with your dog - she looks like she'll do great on the trail.

[berninbush]

What a cutie! She looks more like a big daschund than a basset hound to me. I've got a golden retriever and her ears don't look much like that.... I'd say those are daschund ears.

Based on everything you've said, I'm betting she'll do fine. Have a good hike. :-)

[warraghiyagey]

Looks like a larger Dachsund-Beagle mix.

[Critterman]

................. She is a pure mutt, and the only way we know that basset is in there is the slightly longated back and shorter legs. .................

Does she ever point her nose in the air, let her ears flop back and give out a good old hound dog howl ? Thats the acid test.

[mudhead]

Here's a photo of her:

Looks like a fine example of American Yellow Dog.

I see otic issues in your future. Floppy ears and all...

[CelesteWV]

Does she ever point her nose in the air, let her ears flop back and give out a good old hound dog howl ? Thats the acid test.

Thank god no lol, no baying. She lets out quick little allert barks, only when something is up. When I got her, the pound though she was a douchound mix, but I swear she's way too big. Her legs def. look basset, but who knows lol. Def. some beagle I think too. There's really no way to know though lol.

[CelesteWV]

Looks like a larger Dachsund-Beagle mix.

Totally possible, who knows.

[the goat]

I'd also be very leery of hiking with one over any trail that was anything other than smooth and flat. Basset paws are webbed, making them great in marshy areas, but the webs can get worn badly by trails.

Great family dogs, but sadly not a hiking animal. Please be good to you dog and leave him home.

i've done thousands of miles w/ my web-footed dog, he loves it & i bet he's done more miles in one stretch than you have.

just sayin'.

give him a test run on a week-long or several day long trip & work him into the routine, just see how he does.