As is our way. When a litter reaches
six week of age we feel that we can evaluate the pups knowing most of
what we are looking at. For this we use a pseudo objective six point
set of criteria which
takes into account the American Kennel Club description of the breed
(five points of physicality). And we assign one point which is purely
subjective and takes into account beauty of coloring, form, and
personality. This six point evaluation has served us well since we
started using it nearly twenty years ago. At the time we began using
the system those people interested in reserving a puppy would receive
the information prior to choosing, but now this is much more of a
formality since pups are usually chosen prior to six weeks. This is
certainly true of this litter.
This litter of eight pups is
the first for our Lilly (Dulce DeLeche AKC) and the third for our
younger male Rocky (Rocketdog Rockford Rhoades AKC). The first litter
for a female is difficult to predict any outcomes but, at six weeks
old, there's ample reason to believe this will be a great litter.
Rocky is a great male in the American Basset Hound
style. We are trying to breed a smaller form of Basset and, though he
carries the genes of a smaller dame (under fifty pounds and quite
small), he is nearly sixty pounds at three years old and so is not a
small Basset. Lilly is a small form female of thirty-five pounds and
so some of her offspring should be smaller in size as adults. Only
time will tell. Both parents are great examples of the breed and so
we expect this litter will carry these great traits as they grow.
Both have exceptionally long ears, we formed heads with thick necks
and bodies which taper perfectly to their strong hips. Neither appear
to be destined to hip troubles. Both have heavy foreleg bones and
deep chests. This litter carries the right stuff and none of the pups
will receive less than the full five AKC derived points for form.
There is simple nothing wrong with any of them.
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| PushPup refused to stand for his picture. Typical for him; stubborn, but funny. |
PushPup was first of eight when he showed up six weeks ago. He was quite large and made his mother howl. He hasn't slacked off on the meals since then and is a robust little boy with better than average traits for the American Styled Basset Hound. As I have written above, all of the traits we look for using the AKC Standard are present and strong in all of the Lilly's pups. A massive set of foreleg bones, strong neck supporting a well domed head. A body which tapers smoothly to the hips and a strong and aggressive looking stance (when he stands) give us the impression of a pup that will grow to have few bone issues in later years. Though it is very important to give a Basset a great deal of exercise and a modest diet to keep extra pounds off, this won't be a problem in the early active years.
This boy is likely to become a dog of around sixty pounds as an adult, an early neutering will only serve to drive him to higher weight and he might go as high as eighty pounds is his food intake is not restricted a bit. His wonderfully formed body is covered in an equal amount of red and white fur which shows no black, or even a potential for black growing in. The red fur will deepen in color as he ages and he may even become redder generally as his coloring changes in the next year. His ears are spectacular, reaching all the way around his nose at six weeks they will soon touch the ground and stay there until he learns to keep them our of the dirt. This boy is all Basset Hound when it comes to personality. He is strong willed, playful, and happy when doing whatever he believes he wishes to be doing. Stubborn is the right word for his characteristic style. He will take a strong hand and perhaps a stronger leash to keep him on track. Bassets are generally very eager to please their people, so keeping a firm hand on his formation of habits is a good idea.
It is unusual to have eight out of eight pups getting full six point evaluations, but this is the case here with this litter. Push pups is very handsome. Not quite the coloring to win at dog shows, but he might do very well when judged against others and might become a regional champion with the right training. PushPup might be bred to another high quality female Basset as his genetic makeup is diverse with few close relations in the Pacific Northwest. Breeding rights would need to be obtained and neutering is a requirement of the Rocketdog Contract if rights are not secured.
Six of six points, but this entire litter will end up with these higher marks.
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