Basset Hound Pup

[Mynewbestfriend]

Howdy all,

We've recently acquired a basset hound pup (about 5 months). He is in addition to our already 7 year old poodle cross. I have a query (and sorry for the bluntness of it) regarding his behaviour. I know Bassets are big on the scenting / sniffing (by my own admission I didn't quite realise how much). When the poodle does his solid business, the basset is there waiting underneath in an almost catch-like position. It's grossing me out completely knowing that he's so curious and then that same nose is wanting desperately to say g'day to me the second I step outside.

Is this typical of two dogs living together, or could this curiosity be breed-specific to the Basset? Probably a bit of both I'd say, but wanted some feedback on whether this would bother you? My hubby shrugs his shoulders and just says "dog behaviour". I don't want to be over the top about it if this is the case. (Sorry if there's a thread on this somewhere). New to this forum.

Cheers

[SeeGee]

My beagle (also scent hound) does that at the dog park (he is an only child ) . We always divert the behavior by removing him....I think personally that its a doggie scent houndy thing and dont worry about it, I just encourage him not to. As he has gotten older he doesnt do it so much. Charlie is 8.5 months old now.

Scent hound + stinky poo = happy interested (gross!) puppy lol.

[poodlefan]

Eating their own or other dog's poo is called coprophagia. It's quite common in young dogs and definitely not breed specific.

Best option is to clean up any poo ASAP and discourage your Basset from stalking your other dog when he's defecating.

Most dogs grow out of it but if you do a search here on "coprophagia" you'll find a bunch of threads discussing tactics to deal with it.

[SeeGee]

Poodlefan knows more than me so listen to her not me!!! ill continue to discourgage Charlie, though, as i said, he doesnt do it very often at all.

[centitout]

The kids chi (3yrs) has just started stalking the dominant male bloodhound(11 mths) first thing in the morning to drink his pee while standing under him Like hes a bloody bubbler or something.

Bloody disgusting,so i wait for him now and very actively discourage it .At least it isnt crap,if he was waiting for that he would be buried alive!

[claireybell]

My Beagle sniffs my cocker spaniel's bottom as she is doing her number two's. Its so yucky! She doesn't eat it or anything though.

Scent hounds LOVE anything stinky!!!!

[Kavik]

When I worked at the dog daycare we had several Beagles that liked to eat poo and had to be watched carefully.

[Mynewbestfriend]

Okay, thank you everyone for your replies. I'm feeling much more reassured that this is 'normal' in respect to doggy / breed behaviours. He's certainly not EATING the poo, just interested in what's going on. If I catch the other dog in action, I'll actively discourage pup from being too curious or getting too close.

Thanks again all! Great to know there is some support at hand!