Customer Reviews

The Basset Hound Owner's Surival Guide (Your Happy Healthy Pet Guides)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This book is a delightful look inside the intimate relationships that many people develop with their Basset Hounds. At first glance it seems light in content but a thorough reading will yield a wealth of information about these great drooling clowns.

As a Basset Hound owner myself, it is difficult to judge the attraction of this book to those poor souls who do not share their lives with a Hound. Everyone with a Basset should read it. It captures the magic, the messes and the mysteries of life with a Basset Hound. Everyone considering adding a Basset to their lives should read it. It is this group that stands to benefit most.

As a first time Basset Hound (and dog) owner several years ago, it was learn as you go. Sure there were Basset books out there, many with valuable information. They explained in detail how things were supposed to go (by the book). Diane's book adds reality through the use of short stories and anecdotes by Basset Hound owners who participate in a couple of on-line forums.

Typical is the accurate comment by Amanda Sherwin under the heading, "Do Bassets Make Good Watch Dogs?" She says, "Bassets are fine watch dogs. You can tell the time by them. Especially meal time." Almost every page has a similar paragraph that illustrates and illuminates breed peculiarities. Under the heading, "Do Bassets Enjoy Sex?," MS Morgan sums up life with bassets perfectly by saying, "Not if they have to get off the couch to participate."

If you are owned by a Basset Hound you must have this book. It will explain to your longsuffering friends why you find joy in your Hound. If you are considering a Basset as a pet, reading The Basset Hound Owner's Survival Guide should be mandatory. As a volunteer with Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California, I believe that ignorance of the breed is the primary reason they show up abandoned in animal shelters. Read this book before you adopt a Basset. Involve the whole family as it is funny and very suitable for reading aloud to children.

The Basset Hound Owner's Survival Guide will tickle your fancy while stealthily teaching you all about Basset Hounds that you need to know. It had to be a labor of love because the love shines through the whole book.

For anyone who has ever loved a basset hound, and especially for anyone considering being owned by a basset hound, this is an essential read.

For all it's humour, it is also a book that cautions people that although basset hounds are cute and funny, they are also difficult and complex dogs - not your average well-behaved lab, in other words. Not a dog for the easily grossed-out (think drool flings), for the impatient (think laying down in the middle of a walk) or for those who demand obedience (what are you kidding?)

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

Having read a number of other Basset Hound how-to books, I expected more of the same dry education you usually find. However, I soon found myself laughing at descriptions of MY Basset Hound. Diane has a way of telling the bald truth with such humor that I have read this book twice for the sheer enjoyment of it and for a deeper knowledge of my basset. She has climbed right into the basset mind and is right on the money in her conclusions about basset behavior. It makes you realize what a unique and funny animal you live with. If you own a Basset Hound, this is an essential handbook. She inserts many comments and experiences from other basset owners as well as pictures and the wonderful illustrations of Pam Tanzey. Not only can you learn a lot about the Basset Hound from this book, but you will be immensely entertained as well. She covers not only the physical health of the hound, but the mental health and development as well. For me, this put her head and shoulders above the competition. Her hands-on knowledge and biting wit will keep you turning the pages rapidly, then going back to relish it again. It will either make you want to run right out and get a basset, or sure that you never want to own one. She's right - Bassets aren't for everybody, but this book is great reading for all.

Don't get fooled by the casual way this book is written. It really is valuable, and provides deep information about this special breed of dogs. Having two basset hounds myself, Diane Morgan's insightful information made me understand my dogs better and when I faced serious health problems with my female puppy I knew who to contact via e-mail to give me some expert advice. I also appreciated the wit of the book; bassets are indeed dogs best suited for owners with a sense of humor since they have lots of it themselves. In a few words, if you own or you are thinking to own a basset hound, this is a must-have!

One of my favorite basset books. Very reader friendly, Diane has a wonderful writing style! She provides adequate and accurate information, wonderful color pictures and humor. Great source of information...Wish I read it before I got my basset, but very helpful in figuring out my mystery dog! You must get this one!

Working as a volunteer in Basset Hound Welfare in the UK,I advise many people who contact me to get a copy of this book to give them more ideas on the wonderful ways of the Basset.Rather than deteering them it makes even more positive that the Basset is the only breed for them.What sensible people they are!

This book provides a lot of information about this breed of dog, but fails to provide solutions on how to deal with these traits. This book heavily relies on questions posted by people on newsgroups for its content to describe how a basset hound is different from other breeds. That's fine, but it never answers any of those questions. For example, one newsgroup passage is from someone who is having problems removing drool from the walls without removing the paint, and the book just ends the topic without saying how you can do this. (By the way, from trial and error, we've discovered the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work like a charm) This gives the whole book the tone, "Yep, bassets do that. Isn't that cute! Get used to it." If you're looking for a book that accurately describes some of the peculiarities of bassets, this is a good book. But if you're looking for one that provides training answers, get a quality training book and look at the newsgroups.

Being owned by two Bassets myself, the stories were funny and easy to relate to. The tips on taking care of a Basset Hound are very useful and helpful. They are a unique breed...indeed.

For the soon to be basset owner, this book is pointless. I have experience with bassets and was able to enjoy the anecdotes, but the anecdotes are the problem. The book is overflowing with little vignettes and not much else. There are other owner guides to the basset hound that address in detail important issues like feeding, health and grooming without the endless accompanying tales. I was extremely disappointed and wouldn't recommend it for a novice basset owner. it just doesn't cover the hard facts it needs to.

Diane Morgan has these dogs 'pegged'!

Every Basset owner knows that (personality wise) Bassets are a little "different" from their other canine buddies...
I love this book because it exemplifies those differences...in such a great, funny way.
From beginning to end it's a joy for the Basset lover!

There are many good dog-health references out there...but as the title implies - this is written as a psychological survival guide...which, as an owner of three wonderful Bassets, appreciates very much!

Thanks, Diane, for this funny, heartwarming book - we loved every page!