🐶 Basset Hound
Temperament
Easy-going, friendly, stubborn, vocal. Bassets are gentle with children and tolerant of other pets. Famously hard to train without food motivation.
Exercise
45–60 minutes of daily moderate walking. They're slow but have stamina.
Grooming
Short coat, brush weekly. Long ears need weekly cleaning. Wrinkles need weekly wipe. Drooling is significant.
Health
Intervertebral disc disease (long backs). Bloat / GDV. Ear infections (long, low ears). Glaucoma. Obesity (food-driven).
Full Basset Hound profile →
🐶 Cocker Spaniel
Temperament
Cheerful, gentle, eager-to-please, devoted. Cockers can be sensitive — harsh training shuts them down. They're very people-oriented and dislike being alone. "Rage syndrome" was historically a problem in some lines (especially solid red); modern responsible breeding has largely eliminated it.
Exercise
60–90 minutes of daily exercise plus mental work. Scent work is ideal. Off-lead in safe areas — Cockers love to retrieve.
Grooming
Medium-long coat with heavy ear and leg feathering. Brush 3× weekly; ears need cleaning weekly (long, hairy ears = infection risk). Most pet owners get a "puppy clip" every 6–8 weeks.
Health
Ear infections (very common). Eye conditions (cataracts, glaucoma, PRA). Hip dysplasia. Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in some lines. Generally a robust breed otherwise.
Full Cocker Spaniel profile →
