Bassets work together as a pair on a line to find a rabbit. I have done some Obedience. I try to do things my Bassets enjoy.” Sharon: “My love with the Basset hap- pened 40 years ago. Th ey are all things I am not. Th ey don’t take themselves seriously, nap every day and enjoy the moment. I got my first Basset/mix from rescue, followed by a pet, which led to a show prospect. I began breeding and now judging. Most of my emphasis was on conformation, but enjoyed obedience as well.” Terri: “I became involved in Bassets in 1996. I have competed in conformation, rally, obedience, agility, lure coursing, field trials and hunting performance tests. Rain is the first Basset to earn the AKC Coursing Ability Title.” Anne: “My mother gave me a Basset puppy for my 15th birthday. My hus- band and I acquired a pet, followed by a rescue. We started obedience train- ing and enjoyed figuring out how to get this wonderfully stubborn breed
“They don’T Take ThemSelveS SeriouSly, nap every day and enjoy The momenT.”
to cooperate. At the end of the class, the instructors suggested we compete. My Bassets are involved in conformation, obedience, rally, agility and therapy dog work. I have come to enjoy breeding.” How important are mentors and have they helped? Marge: “Our mentors were the breed- ers of our first show dog along with another reputable breeder. Mentors are important and can certainly help guide in any endeavor.”
JoAnn: “Trainers for obedience and conformation were available locally. Ear- ly tracking was learned from reading and the BHCA videotape. Very experienced field trialers helped us understand the culture around field trialing, the judging and running hounds on rabbit. Partici- pating in the BHCA Nationals exposed us to people with expertise. Almost everyone we asked was willing to share their knowledge and skills. A local rabbit hunter let me hunt with his Basset. Th is experience was invaluable.”
Ellen: “I feel mentors are a must in breeding. I learned so much from a breed- er friend about raising pups. My current mentor is Barbara Brandt, Sasquatch. A good mentor is necessary to share their years of experience and knowledge. Th ose who do not have mentors are really miss- ing out. I would not be where I am today without my mentors.” Sharon: “Mentors are very important picking a show prospect, getting con- nected to a good trainer, joining clubs and getting involved in the dog fancy.
“A local rabbit hunter let me hunt with his Basset. ThiS experience waS invaluaBle.”
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