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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| Miley was named Nutty Buddy at birth. |
Miley, named by her forever family. Has always been something of a beauty queen. Her coloring is technically tri-colored, but this is because she has a slightly darker nose. She is a lovely little girl pup and will likely become a beautiful Basset as an adult. Miley is a cuddler, but not so much if there's a fight to be found. She has her own mind. She loves lap sitting, but does not seek it out. She loves finding interesting things to chew on, but doesn't carry sticks or stones around as trophies. She eats with gusto and since birth has always sung a little tune when eating. She is an interesting puppy in a great many ways.
Comparing her to the AKC Standard, at six weeks, show that she may well be of show quality (though these often look for heavier European traits and features). Her frame, leg bone size, head shape, and the setting of her ears, all are perfection. She carries herself well, always having her tail high, but her tail lacks the ubiquitous white tip that makes a Basset easy to follow in the field. She has very ample skin folding, a silky smooth coat that is almost entirely colored mahogany red. We expect the dark coloring on her snout will tend to becoming more red over time. The shape of her head is extraordinarily good and her ear setting is optimally set back near her neck. She is a lovely little girl with a lovely outlook on life. None of the pups in this litter are anything less than perfect when compare to our evaluative criteria, just some are slightly better than others. Miley is one of the slightly better group.
Miley is, and always has been, one of the beautiful people. We expect this to continue.
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