Maple Street Bassets

Frequently Asked Questions

About Our Breeding Program

 

Are your dogs registered? Do you Health Test?

Yes, all our dogs are registered with the AKC (American Kennel Club) and we do our health testing through PawPrint Genetics. All our breeding dogs are clear of the following: Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (Basset Hound Type), Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease, X-Linked (Basset Hound Type), and Thrombopathia (Basset Hound Type). We also test for Lafora. Since Basset Hounds are a dwarfed breed they don't have cases of hip dysplasia so we don't preform any hip x-rays on our dogs.

 

How much do your Basset Hounds weigh? Our dogs all weigh around 65 pounds average. We never allow our dogs to get obese and keep them fit and healthy.

 

What health history do you have in your kennel? In my bloodlines I have been really lucky. I have had one adult bloat, she was able to have surgery to tack her stomach and she has not had any more problems. I have had 2 heart murmurs that required operation to extend quality of life which was in my early litters. Most my puppies have lived long healthy lives. The average lifespan is generally over 10 years old. However I have had a few lost to cancer at close to 8-10 years old. We have seen occasional cherry eye or entropion with breeding dogs with lots of skin it weakens the 3rd eyelid and causes prolapse. I strive to breed a healthy balance of skin on my Basset Hounds. Too much of a good thing can cause problems if too overdone. I am open about the health of my kennel. Most breeders will not share any information about their health history. If you have questions, please ask me. 

 

What preventative care do you provide for your dogs? All of our dogs are vaccinated at 5-6 weeks with Parvo Only Vaccine. Then 8, 12, and 16 weeks against Parvo/Distemper. At 16 weeks our puppies also receive a rabies vaccination.  Parvo/Distemper and Rabies is boosted a year later. Then every year they get a booster for Parvo/Distemper and every 3 years a booster on Rabies. Our dogs are on Ivermectin for Heartworm, Pancur and Pyrantel for worm treatments, fleas and ticks are handled by treating the environment. We have had success with capstar tablets and bravecto when needed.

 

What food do you recommend/feed? My favorite brand of food is Purina ProPlan. They do feeding studies and have science behind their formulas. My dogs are rotated on the 30/20 formula and regular adult formulas depending on their calorie needs. I recommend puppies are given the large breed puppy then around 6-8 months old transition to an adult formula. I also use Iams Large Breed Puppy on litters of puppies. 

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Our involvement in Basset Hounds

 

Why did you choose to raise Basset Hounds? When I was a little girl, my dad would always talk to me about Coonhounds. He had always wanted one as a little boy but never got the chance to get one. When it was time to bring home our first family dog, my mom wasn't thrilled about a big loud hound living in town, so we explored other options and brought home a Beagle puppy. He was a handful and had lots of energy. So about a year later, My dad and I decided we needed to get him a friend, a lazy, easy to handle friend. My dad took me to see a local litter of Basset Hounds and as soon as I held my first basset, I knew this was MY breed. Luckily my parents were very supportive and allowed me to follow my dreams of raising these incredible dogs when I was younger. Now, years later, I have a family of my own and we get to enjoy this breed as a family.

 

Do you show? Yes, we show our bassets in AKC conformation events whenever a show is in a reasonable driving distance. I am excited to guide my kids into the sport of handling our dogs. I think it is an excellent way to teach them responsibility as well as allow them to be rewarded with ribbons and points for their efforts with the Basset Hounds.

 

How long have you been breeding? I have had bassets since 1999. I had my first litter in 2002.

 

Do you breed other breeds of dogs? No, I am 100% devoted to the Basset Hound. I don't raise any other breed of dog, nor do I have any interest in it. It has taken years to learn one breed, it is not a simple task to tackle a second breed and do well at both.

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How Our Puppies are Raised

 

Where are your puppies raised? All our litters are whelped and raised inside our home. They are in the living room right in front of the TV. So we are able to watch them and hold them all the time. Once they are weaned from their mother they are able to explore our elevated outdoor pen with supervision to enjoy the outdoor sounds and smells. We also have an indoor elevated pen so they are easy to access at all times.

 

How do you socialize puppies? Puppies are held everyday from birth. Our 3 kids, my husband and I hold them when watching TV or relaxing in the living room. They are rotated onto their backs, weekly nail trimmings, they are touched in their mouths, ears, feet, etc. I am a strong believer in early socialization. They are familiar with sounds of the washer/dryer, blow dryer, household sounds.We have indoor cats that LOVE to interact with the puppies, they have no fear of them. We give puppies toys of different shapes and textures at 3-4 weeks of age. They walk on carpet, hard floors, and in their puppy pen. Our puppies are not allowed on the grass before they are fully vaccinated due to the threat of Parvo. I have NEVER had any of my puppies get it and I intend to keep it that way. 

 

Do you guarantee the health of my puppy? Yes. All our puppies have a 2-year replacement puppy guarantee if anything life-threatening arises. The full health guarantee is outlined in the puppy contract. I am happy to share it at anytime.

 

When is my puppy ready to be picked up? All puppies are ready at 8-10 weeks of age to travel to their new families. Pick up is in person in Red Bay, Alabama. 

 

Do you ship puppies? No. I will not ship any puppies. Flight Nanny or Ground transport can be arranged and some families fly here and pick up their puppy in person and carry them in cabin for the flight home. 

 

Can I visit your kennel and meet the parents? Due to disease control for our entire farm, we don't currently allow home visits. However, we do post lots of pictures and video of our dogs so you can know your puppy is coming from a good place. The health of our animals is our number one concern.

 

Will you take the dog back if I am no longer able to keep him/her? YES! I will always accept any Basset Hound bred here back to the kennel, no questions asked. We love each of our puppies and have never had any in shelters of any kind. Our Maple Street Bassets ALWAYS have a home here with us in Alabama. I microchip every single puppy to make sure they are never lost or without identification.

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