Miley at Six Weeks

 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. 

OtterPup at Six Weeks

 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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Wow!

OtterPup caught my eye at the first moment he drew a breath. He has that certain something which the camera loves and we have yet to take a picture that didn't show him in his best light. But looks alone do not make a better puppy. He is also perfect in every other way and, though there are a few potential standouts in this very good litter, Otter is by far the best of the lot. This is a lovely little boy and a potential champion in his breed.

Otter is not a small form of Basset, though he certainly carries the genes. He will eventually become a sixty pound male with wildly exaggerated Basset features and traits. His personality is as good as his looks. He loves people, puppies, adult dogs, our chickens, our ducks, his food, and nearly everything else he sees. His tail is ever wagging. He loves lap sitting, loves getting down from the lap too. He loves cuddling close, being held, and being put down to play. He love playing with his siblings, and loves playing alone. This one is special.

Structurally he is as good as I have seen. He has a heavily built frame, thick foreleg bones, and a smooth appearance from shoulder to hip. His backside is stocky and chest already seeming deeper than his age would indicate. His stance is easy, but strongly aggressive in appearance. Again . . . a potential champion give the time and training. This is what good looks like. But if all you want is a great dog, there's none better than Otter. 

I rarely say that a dog ought to be bred. In this case, at six weeks, I am certainly saying it. All Bassets should start off this strong. All of this litter received full marks in their evaluations. There are only six points. Otter deserves one more. If I could keep him, I would.

DillyBark at Six Weeks

 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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When we put Lilly and Rocky together we expected a litter of tri-colored Basset babies. DillyBark turned out to be the only truly tri-colored pup in the group of eight. And, at birth, we thought he would become our true potential champion prospect. This may still be true, he is well above the average of pups for our Rocketdog kennel, but only time and training will tell us if he indeed champion material. 

Dilly is structurally perfect, with the expeception of a minor jaw set issue. This overbite will likely clear itself when his adult teeth arrive in a few months and we have seen this sort of thing before. Basset Hounds are genetic dwarves and some mismatching of parts is common. But all of Dilly's other parts are perfect. His foreleg bone size is quite heavy, for a pup that will eventually reach sixty pounds. His thick neck hold a perfectly domed head up high. His snout is wonderfully boxey, sporting large facial fews and extraordinarily long ears which nearly reach the ground. His body tapers smoothly to hips muscular hips. The hips themselves are chunky in appearance and hold his rear leg stance back in aggressive posture. This is a good start on growing a strongly built Basset Hound boy.

Dilly is very patient, adding to the idea of his becoming show material. But his patience is subjective. He loves to play hard. He runs everywhere and loves to climb where he can. He is not the best climber in the group, but he keeps at it and has occasionally run down stairs effortlessly.  Dilly rarely comes for cuddling and has little patience for lap sitting, but he will hold a pose for pictures. Dilly prefers the company of dogs over humans, but is not overly aggressive at play or the food dish. Dilly has always barked at stranger danger. He barked at me at two weeks old, so he is naturally protective of his space.

Dilly's coloring is in flux. His ears are changing to red, from black, so it is difficult to say how he will appear as an adult. But he is still a prospect for becoming a show quality dog.