Six Week Evaluations: The International Candies Litter : Toblerone (Bubba)

 At Six Weeks of age we evaluate our litters using a six point set of criteria. Five of these points are derived from the American Kennel Club Standard for the breed. One point is given that is subjective and purely based on what we like to see for coloring and aesthetic qualities. It is difficult to look into a puppy's future and see what they will truly become, but at six weeks there is enough of the traits emerging in appearance and personality to give it a good guess.

Our breeding program has been aimed toward breeding a smaller form of Basset Hound, something that won't exceed forty pounds when fully adult and perhaps less than fourteen inches at the shoulder. In this litter we only see two pups of this smaller form developing, four which will be of the more normal American Basset size (perhaps fifty pound fully grown and fifteen inches at the shoulder) and one standard sized little boy who will likely top out at sixty pounds. All of the Candies show very good traits, but as is the usual, the sire (Rocky) brought into the mix all that we expect in an American Basset Hound. The very long ears, head shape, boxy nose shape, and heavy foreleg size are all of Rocky's very good features. Lilly, the Dame, is a good example of the smaller form Basset and has very good features as well.

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Toblerone, now named Bubba by his new family, is and has been the largest of the litter and he had a head start with a two ounce advantage at birth and an appetite to match. 

Structurally Bubba is a very good example of the breed. His head shape is good with an adequate domed shape from which hang very long ears which drape as they should. Bubba has the boxy nose we love to see and a strongly set jaw over which his few will likely drape once he has grown a bit. Foreleg bone size is quite heavy for a puppy this young and he needs a heavy set due to his very heavy chest and shoulders. His body flows smoothly back to a stocky set of hips. His stance, the way he stands when simply standing still is good, but not great. Stance is usually a good indicator of hip bone health and longevity so it will be important to get this boy out for plenty of excersize as he developes to avoid hip problems in a heavy dog.  There is a trace of rib flanging as he tapers from front to back, but nothing worthy of a demerit.  His paws are very good and everything is headed in the right direction. Bubba's ever wagging tail is quite heavy and will likey become the shin bruising bludgeon both his Dame and Sire already have. 

Personality in the biggest puppy is always something more peaceful than the smaller siblings. He is a happy little guy and fearless in how he approaches the outdoors and new situations. Bubba loves to be cuddled, though he doesn't actively pursuit it. He is often found playing alone and loves to find new toys, which he doesn't play with once they are dragged out where the others can find them.

Bubba is a good looking red and white with symmetrical coloring on his head. There is ample skin folds which includes extra skin on his head. When he looks down the skin slides forward in true Basset fashion. Overall he is a nice looking lad which recieves all five of the ACK derived points and the single point for pretty. Six of Six points means he is eligible for breeding if breeding rights are secured.