The Story Of A Hound

Determined or perhaps tenacious best described Penny’s hunting. She would chase rabbits until her nose and feet were rubbed raw and bleeding.

- Ryan W. Theiler

We got her when I was 14 years old, and I’ll never forget that day. I went with Dad to pick her out, the deal being I would pay half, and she would be my dog. When we got there, a dozen basset pups came running toward us in a pack. The lead dog tripped over his ears, and the others piled up behind and on top of him.

I played with them for a bit, and the other puppies soon lost interest and rambled on, but not Penny. She stuck right by me, and I knew she was the one. We always said Penny picked us, that we didn’t pick her.

Determined or perhaps tenacious best described Penny’s hunting style. She would chase rabbits until her nose and feet were rubbed raw and bleeding. Bassetts are members of the bloodhound family. The stumpy legs, drooping ears and jowls serve a purpose, keeping the nose close to the ground while the long ears and drooping jowls stir up scent on the forest floor (or so I’ve been told). Historically, bassetts found great favor among European aristocracy as hunting dogs as well as pets.

Their loyalty, mellow disposition when not hunting, and doleful expression make them lovable.

But as cute as she may have been, it didn’t take long to see that hunting would be Penny’s strength. She ran those cottontails to the point of doing herself harm. When we let her out she would get on a track and we wouldn’t see her again that day, just hear the baying fade in and out.