If you like walking your Basset Hound as well or instead of showing, then come along to our next walk shown below:
Future walks
September 12th: Cotswold Water park, Ashton Keynes: Guy & Sarah. Details here.
October 3rd: Woodbury, S Devon, leaders Mike & Jackie. Details here.
More walk offers invited. |
Photos of all our past walks and videos for most (don't miss the chaotic video) at Barbary Castle can be found here. |
Basset Hounds are different. They may look cute (6 stone, cute?) in slipper ads, but as every owner knows they are just as likely to be obstinate, stubborn, wilful and natural thieves. We call it intelligence.
Since 1954 the Basset Hound Club has looked after standards, run championships, institutes a Code of Ethics, in short everything to do with the well-being of The Breed. Disappointingly they have shown no interest in what we are doing and refuse to publicise our walks. Anyone know why?
It is our experience that most members are only interested in showing – fine – but some of us prefer to walk our hounds in company with others, for the sheer joy of watching a large group of bassets run together.
When we acquired our first hound, nearly forty years ago, there were six Basset packs, today I am told there are nine – the most well-known of which is The Albany, in the East Midlands. (Three packs are privately owned.) While we don't agree with hunting, it is still a fine sight to see such a large number in the countryside. Compared to the average pet hound, The English Hunt Basset Hound is much longer legged and shorter eared, and certainly fit – some days they will cover 25 miles.
With this end in view the Basset Hound Walkers (want a T-shirt?) has been formed as a very loose group of friends who will meet several times a year to exercise their hounds. There is no fee, no constitution and certainly no officers. All are welcome (tell your Basset friends). Just bring some lunch and Bonios.
(To enlarge the press cutting below, just click on images).
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So which is the most peculiar animal here then?
It's been a hard day
(The late lamented Lord Benson: Stuart & Amanda)
"I live in Ipswich in Suffolk and have been searching Google to find a walk to join with my lemon basset Reggie. I've come across your website and think it's fantastic! The only problem is I think it's a bit too far for us to come... Would you happen to know of other groups like yours nearer my area? Anywhere in Suffolk, East Anglia.
If all else fails then I might have to make a special trip in the New year to come on a walk near you."
From Daisy.
And now for some culture.
Click here to open The Beat Hound (opens with Windows Media Player)
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From Toronto:
“I happened across your YouTube video of your recent walk - enjoyed it very much! Then went to your website. I was very impressed (and appreciative) of the thorough job you did on the care of Bassets. I laughed out loud at some of the pix and captions - (my husband just came off nights and is sleeping so laughing out loud in our tiny bungalow isn't something I really wanted to do right now!!)
We have always lived in condos in the heart of Toronto, so could only ever own a cat. Now we have moved to a small property and I am seriously thinking of finally getting a basset for myself. I've loved these guys for many years.....
I live near Toronto, Canada - or else I'd join your group in a heartbeat!
Cheers!!
Selma Dearborn
Basset lover!!!
Updated:
August 14, 2010 |
Now get the T-shirt (well, fleece)
Here's Sarah proudly wearing her new Birthday Coat, a surprise present from Guy. Can't make out whether she's gratified, perplexed or just thinking "when do I get my real present?"
Anyway Guy says she will wear it at the next and all forthcoming walks, whatever the temperature. You can order up your own (choice of six colours) from this eBay shop at a very reasonable cost. Takes about three weeks to arrive, and the quality is good.
My Matilda at 4 months. This photo made
4th in The Guardian Weekend comp entitled
"Greed". Surely deserved 1st?
Don't like kennels? Here's a lovely alternative
We hate putting our hounds in kennels so we were delighted to find someone who will look after them in their own home. Situated just outside Langport in Somerset, the place is called "Cuddles", which says it all really. When we left ours there were six other dogs, all running round, sleeping together, they had a grand time. The owners have a very large field and they get taken for walks. Price is a very reasonable £12 a night, you supply the food. Book with Janice Board 01458 253031.
Blocked footpath? Send for Miss Moppet. Click here to see story.
40kgs of Fred + his best friend (For more pics of Fred see video here)
Caption competition
Samantha Yarwood sent me this photo but I was in two minds whether to put it up. If your hound sees it, what on earth will it think? "Aren't I supposed to chase these things? What's this hound doing? We both may have long ears but surely it's not a Basset?"
Anyway send me your caption and I'll award a small prize (Teach Yourself Hunting?) to the best one, to be passed on at our next walk.
Taking your hound abroad? Click here for how to do it (and what to avoid)
Of course they didn't (Cerne Abbas).
This walking lark is too much for me.
"Can I bury your socks first?"
"Not another walk. I'd much rather stay here and wreck the china."
If you've lost a favourite hound, click here to read Leslie Thomas' obit of Furlong, "the greatest dog in the world is dead". Warning: keep a tissue handy. |
"Me and my hubby .... would love to come on a walk with you all if you do one near here then someone can convince him that we do in fact need another basset to live with us, maybe a lovely girly for bert. I hope you will meet him soon on a ramble and then you can all help me find him later in the day"
Names deleted to preserve marital harmony.
"I’ve been looking at your website and the pictures of your walks are fantastic !! Looks like everyone has great fun and it’s such a joy to see all the bassets together."
Jemma from Norfolk.
I have not smiled that much in a long time seeing the pack romping through the grass.
The highlight for us was the Labrador being pursued by a large pack of Bassets baying. My side still hurts now from laughing. I think that next time we will bring the beagle and let the pack run after him instead of the lab as that will be one way to wear him out!
Matt & Liz
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