Yes they can run

People are often surprised to see how fast our basset hounds run when we're out at the field, taking them for their walks.  There is a fair assumption that bassets are slow and plodding, but this isn't always the case.

Having looked after about 20 bassets over the past 5 years, they tend to fall into two camps - the slimmer, 'tighter' variety and the baggier, heavier versions.  Samson and Delilah fall into the former category, and she is especially quick.  She also has different types of running styles, from her playful bounding run when meeting new friends, to her mad hunting (often with baying) running style.

We are especially lucky that we have a great park near our house where we have been taking our hounds since they were puppies.  It means we have also been able to have them off lead for a long time, allowing them to wander around sniffing and chasing rabbits and each other.  Samson and Delilah can enjoy an active walk for 45 minutes or more - sleeping very well thereafter.

However, a lot of the larger bodied bassets that we look after are not quick on their paws and also don't have a high degree of endurance, tiring after 10 minutes or so of walking.  This can be compounded with their overly long ears - with Sonny often tripping over his own ears - and finding it difficult to turn quickly with their long bodies.

How about you - do you have running hounds, or those that tend to waddle along at their own pace?