animals

Having Fun With A Basset Hound

Thanks to my friend Julie, who suggested I take a tangent from my flower photography, I got this wonderful photo of her Basset Hound Romeo. Isn’t he a darling? Dogs with long noses pose a difficult problem in photography. The general rule is to get the eyes in focus, which I did, but then their very prominent nose is blurry.

I’ve never been too successful with pet photography it’s always been purely by luck if I get a good picture. My digital camera has a very slow shutter lag that causes me to miss the perfect shots. But, I was using my son’s Canon Rebel EOS while he was on home from the Marines.

I just LOVE this picture and it’s really becoming my favorite. The one below is pretty cute too, I caught him in mid-howl.

So how do you overcome the shutter lag? On a simple point a shoot camera you sometimes don’t have much of a choice, but on most cameras if you press the shutter button half-way down it allows the camera to focus first and prepare to shoot. I have now “inherited” my sons Canon Rebel camera and use this technique often for action photography, photo journalism, or animal photos.

Fun Facts About Basset Hounds

1. Originated in France by French monks
2. First brought to the United States as a gift to President Washington
3. “Bas” means low, as in low to the ground and this made them effective hunters to track rabbits and other ground game during hunting
4. This dog carries a dwarfism gene and they have achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism in humans
5. Breed and trained to hunt in packs 
6. They did not always have droopy ears, but in the early 1900’s were crossed with bloodhounds to improve their scenting ability.
7. Droopy ears and jowls actually help them trap the scent and amplifies the smell on the ground.
8. Behind the origination of “hush puppies” hunters would take their fried bread and throw it to the howling dogs during hunting trips and say “Hush Puppy” (now isn’t that fun?)
9. This also became a well-known brand of shoes “Hush Puppies” with the silent sole.
10. The Basset Hound dog has a lifespan of 10-14 years
11. This dogs average weight is between 50-60 lbs, they might seem small, but they are big boned and stout!

I’ve seen Romeo over the years and I should really do another photo shoot with him. He has since gained another dog companion, Zoe the Great Dane. That settles it, I’m going to go over and interview Zoe next. I hear she loves to chew couch cushions

Ree Drummond Makes Basset Hounds Popular Again

Am I sure you have heard of Ree Drummond? Or maybe you know her best as The Pioneer Woman who has created a country, cooking, photography, internet, marketing empire that surrounds her life on an Oklahoma cattle ranch. Aside from her cooking for cowboys, and writing cookbooks, she also shares the ranch with a Basset Hound named Charlie.

Charlie has gotten into the business with his own line of children’s’ books, which are adorable!!! I mean really, he’s not necessarily cow dog material, more like comic relief.

Charlie the Ranch Dog: Where’s the Bacon? (I Can Read Book 1)Charlie the Ranch Dog: Stuck in the Mud (I Can Read Book 1)Charlie and the New Baby (Charlie the Ranch Dog)Charlie the Ranch Dog

Fun Basset Hound Gifts

If you know someone who loves Bassets or has one of these lovable dogs in their life these gifts are perfect for that dog owner that has everything. I can just see Julie wearing this mask when she opens the door for Halloween or making Basset Hound cookies or doggie treats.

Westland Giftware Mwah Magnetic Basset Hounds Salt and Pepper Shaker Set, 2-1/4-InchThe Mountain Men’s Basset Hound, Brown, X-LargeBigMouth Inc Bowser Basset Hound MaskBasset Hound Cookie Cutter

I’ve seen a lot of dogs in my life and I do have to say the Basset Hound makes me smile every time. There is just something about that face and their short legs that just don’t go together.

I would love to hear about your dog, please comment below and share your favorite canine stories.