My bassets are a constant worry to me but never more so when we’re at the river. These dogs are not water-wise. Despite my best endeavours to teach Fortnum and Mason to swim they have flatly refused to engage in such aquatic high jinx. Although Fortnum will happily paddle about in shallow water Mason is much more reluctant and prefers to keep his paws on dry ground.
When we were down by the river yesterday the bassets were taking no chances again and spent much of the time checking out what might be going on in the river from a dry vantage point.
You can’t blame them in some respects. This is a river that needs respect.
Yes there is no doubt that the hounds are steering clear of this. Mason is much more interested in sniffing the rocks.
There is no doubt that these are puzzled dogs wondering where to go next to avoid the wet of the river.
I’m not sure what it’s going to take for the bassets to overcome their fear of water. I wish they would so I could be more confident that if they ever fell in they’d be able to swim to look after themselves.
In the meantime I’m just going to have to trust that they will just sit on the rocks and enjoy the view. After all you can’t be too careful as there is nothing a basset hates more than getting their ears wet.