How to Find a Reputable Basset Hound Breeder

So, you’ve got your heart set on getting a Basset Hound puppy. Maybe you want to use the dog to hunt or maybe you are just looking for an intelligent and loving family pet. No matter what your reasons are for wanting a new puppy, you shouldn’t just run out and buy the first Basset Hound puppy that you see listed in your local paper’s classified ads. Finding the right puppy takes time and a little bit of research. But if you do it right, you will be rewarded with a healthy, intelligent, lovable pet for years to come.

To know where you should look for such a puppy, you first need to understand where you shouldn’t look. When you open up the classified section of your local paper, you will no doubt see many ads offering puppies up for sale. A few of those may even be Basset Hound puppies. While the bargains you see here will be tempting, you need to be very cautious when buying a puppy from an unknown source.

There are many reasons why buying from a classified ad is not a good idea. In many cases, people who advertise puppies for sale using classifieds are not professional breeders; they are the owners of puppy mills or just happened to have two Basset Hounds that produced a litter. In both of these situations, you run into risks of inbred health problems and temperament irregularities. You see, top-notch breeders breed only the best of the best. That way the offspring will be of superior quality. Not all dogs are of breeding quality. Some might have defects or malformations that can be passed onto the next generation. That is why it is never a good idea to breed two dogs simply because they are the same breed.

Pet stores are also not a very desirable place to purchase a puppy. The reason? In order to make a good decision, you should be able to view the bitch and sire of the litter. In pet stores this is impossible because the breeder may live thousands of miles from the store. And without being able to meet the breeder, how will you know what conditions your puppy was brought about? You could actually be paying top dollar for a puppy from a mill with unsanitary conditions and poor vaccination processes.

Now that you know where to not buy your puppy, you need to know where you should look for a puppy. If you want to hunt with your Basset Hound, the obvious answer is to start with your hunting buddies. They will likely know breeders who have bred a solid line of Basset Hounds with the best hunting instincts.

If you want to purchase a Basset Hound as a family pet, you can begin your search online. With a simple keyword search on your favorite internet search engine, you could find dozens of breeders within driving distance from your home. You can also find a list of breeders on the AKC (American Kennel Club) website.

Remember, once you find a lead to a good breeder, you should always check out the breeder and facilities first handed. Never take someone’s word about a breeder without checking out the facts yourself. And never purchase a puppy sight unseen.