TalorPeche Basset Fauve de Bretagne

WE HAVE TRIED TO PUT TOGETHER SOME RECENTLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSIDERING OWNING A BASSET FAUVE. WE DONT KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS OF COURSE HAVING ONLY OWNED THIS BREED OURSELVES FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS BUT IF ANY IS ASKED THAT WE DONT KNOW WE WILL TRY AND FIND OUT.

QUESTION ARE FAUVES GOOD WITH CHILDREN?

ANSWER - YES Fauves make extremely good pets for a family and is naturally a friendly and outgoing creature that responds to a loving family. These little dogs are lively and quick and are an active scent hound so need good understanding and steady training in the early years. The nature of the dogs means it is tolerant of other animals but can be a active hunter. The little hounds are not toys and children need to know the boundaries as well as the dogs. Puppies need to have a space of their own where the family know they should not be disturbed and in the early years a crate can be useful.

QUESTION - DO THEY NEED MUCH EXERCISE?

The Fauve is a big dog in a small frame (height 32-38cm) and is a roughty toughty character very hardy and agile that does needs moderate exercise. A lot of play with a ball and toys is good - they are a lot of fun on a walk and if a safe area can be found off the lead are amazing as they miss nothing. Rosie found a snail at 9 weeks and killed her first rat at 16. The hunting instict is very strong and should be respected as part of what a Fauve is.

QUESTION - ARE THEY EASY TO TRAIN?

ANSWER - We feel you get what you put in, if they are trained from young they can respond well and as they are very food oriantated it can make it easier for training. It is to be remembered their nose is what will lead them into trouble and they are excellent at digging and escaping so a secure garden is a must. As we know training can be forgotten when a new scent presents itself. They are a working hunting dog and we should respect this and keep them safe.

 

WILL THEY RECALL, CAN I LET THEM OFF A LEAD?

ANSWER - Some do recall but more often than not they get a scent and off they go so unless you have trained your Fauve and are really sure of them it is recommended they are kept on an extending lead in public places. Ice cream has taken Rosie off over the park on a few occasions. I had her has a little pup and she is 9 times out of 10 good at coming in when called but every now and again she decides that something smells nice and is much more interesting. Bekky who I had at 1 year of age is hopeless and completely deaf to my pleas for her to come to me so she remains safe on a very long extending lead.

QUESTION - DO THEY EAT MUCH?

ANSWER - They are greedy little dogs and so food should be very carefully watched and recommended feeding amounts kept too. However this does make training a little easier and as puppies we keep one feed to be fed by hand. This focasses the puppy on you for it's food and makes training easy. One feed is fed as normal at the end of the day and training is only done for a few minutes every now and again. We feed all our dogs 2 meals per day.

QUESTION - DO THEY SHED THEIR COAT MUCH

ANSWER - The coat needs stripping out (Finger and thumb) about twice a year so they do not seem to shed much coat between this. They are low to the ground and so should be kept front-lined for lice tics and fleas. a good brush after a walk is enough to keep the coat in good order and they can be bathed from time to time which is great fun. My fauves like the water but can get into trouble chasing water fowl so again it is best to keep an extendingt lead handy.

QUESTION - ARE THERE ANY HEALTH ISSUES?

ANSWER - There are no breed specific problems as far as I know. I would not expect many will occurr as long as breeding in the UK is managed carefully and French imports are used. The breed is growing and hopefully everyone will take care of this little hound. The Fauve club is very active and will assist if anyone needs any information. Their website is www.bassetfauvedebretagneclub.com

If We have not answered your questions please feel free to get in touch - Glenis Peach Samantha Taylor