Walking our basset hounds can be a frustrating business some days.  They drag their feet, sniff every step of the way and get stubborn about moving at all.  None of this is unusual.  If you read any books about basset hounds these are the sorts of warnings you’re given.

In short, if you have no patience then a basset hound is probably not the sort of dog for you.  I have come to develop patience where my boys are concerned.  Well most days at least.

Where sticks on walks are concerned it’s an exceedingly frustrating business.  Fortnum and Mason are a bit discerning when it comes to sticks.  They won’t play with any old stick.  There is much sniffing and selection to be made before finally agreeing on a stick they can both be satisfied with.  The picture at the top of this post is definitely a stick that they can both play with.

That is of course is Fortnum and can get it off Mason.  That’s where the hilarity of bassets comes in.  It’s all about having what your brother has.  No point having a stick if he’s not going to play and if his sort of game is to take the stick away that can be no fun.  Unless of course you are the basset with the stick.

Hope you’re sitting comfortably, this may take a while.

So guess who has the stick

And who is not going to share his stick?  Typical little basset behaviour.

So who is going to sulk and pull stilly faces then?  Typical Fortnum behaviour – never one to fight back!

Little basset doesn’t mind, he’s just biding his time!

So Fortnum decides to take it easy and wait it out too!

He’s getting real comfy for that wait

Maybe some distraction will get these boys moving?

Maybe a belly rub will do it!

Right, I’m definitely not moving now thinks Mason

Ok, we’ll go if I can carry the stick!

Before you know it, these boys are back in action

Watch out bassets coming through!

Oh Fortnum, hang on there mate, he’s going to take it off you again!

See any old stick won’t do.  It’s one you’ve got to take off your brother, hoard it even if you do relent in the end and play nicely!