Andie: When do female Basset Hounds go into their first and second heats?
I have a 6-month-old female Basset Hound. I am going to breed her and I know I should wait until the second heat. When will she go into her first and second heats?
Photo Credit: gilmorec/Flickr CC
Answers and Views:
Answer by Shanna
Who told you that you can breed your Basset Hound on her second heat? Whoever told you that is dumber than a whole big sack of stupid. It is not okay to breed a dog until a dog is physically and mentally mature and that is a minimum of two years old.
Every dog is different and will go into heat when their body is ready. You can't predict it.
Answer by Vicki J
The first heat comes between 6 and 9 months old, and every six months after.
Getting the litter on the ground is only half the battle. Although many litters are born without trouble and puppies trot off to new homes with nary a glance backward, responsible breeders do everything they can to make sure the pup not only gets a good start in life but has a lifetime commitment to keep it healthy and safe. Although the best plans can go awry, they do not leave the fate of their pups to chance.
Backyard breeders have a different perspective. Whether they are producing pups for money or to give Sassy or the kids the experience of birth, they usually approach puppy production with a carefree attitude. If a pup dies, it’s too bad, but that’s life. If it has worms or fleas or mange, that’s life, too. And if that last pup or two doesn’t sell by three months, well, it’s off to the shelter.
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Responsible breeders consider every aspect of puppy production to be important. After taking care to whelp healthy puppies to be sold as pets or show dogs, they treat each litter with care and concern for their physical and mental development, provide initial socialization and housetraining, and carefully screen prospective owners.
Breeder’s Bible: Book of the Bitch: A Complete Guide to Understanding and Caring for Bitches 
by J.M.Eavans & Kay White
Answer by Laura
I have a New Bassett Hound baby Lula Bell. She is a little over 1 year old and has the BIGGEST personality you will ever find in a dog. I thought something was wrong with her because she had not gone into heat yet. I just finished cleaning my entire house & she started her heat today on my freshly mopped floors. I got on this site to try & figure out how long and how often this occurs and the best time for her to get fixed. I do not want her to have any puppies because I want her to have the longest life she possibly can have.
I have not had her fixed yet because I think it will traumatize her so I had put it off, Lulla Bell acts like a Lion in our home but try and take her anywhere and she is terrified, shakes, & trembles. the entire time. I thought she would like to go to Hollywood Feed to find a new toy. NO, she was terrified, I had to carry her into & out of the store. She runs, plays, barks at everyone from our yard, dominate our 4-year-old hound Daisy May but take her outside of her environment and she is terrified.
Answer by mauveme49
FemaleBasset Hounds come into first heat at around 6-9 months and then usually every 6 months after that. (but all dogs are different, could be every 9 months.)
But if you are thinking of breeding shouldn't you know this?
Know better? Give your own answer to this question!
Monica Cortez says
My one year old bassett hound just went into heat. We are trying the panties on her but she will not stop finding her way out of it, no matter how well we put it on her. We have tried all sizes thinking it was the fitting that was the issue. Anyone else have this problem? if so, how did you deal with it?
Doris says
You may find this youtube video and the comments useful https://youtu.be/YUQhPNqijdw
Angela Herring says
I have a 16 month old female basset. She has not gone in heat. I don’t want to breed her but should I be concerned?
Elsa says
It’s not normal. I would show her to a vet.
Angela Herring says
My Basset female is 15 months old and has never gone in heat. Could she be sterile? Is this normal? I don’t want her to ever have puppies. I intend on having her spayed but money has been tight.
Doris says
The first heat comes between 6 and 9 months old but sometimes it may come even at 18 months. It depends on her inheritance, food, living conditions, and health. Anyway, it’s a good reason to visit a vet and check if her health is ok.
Mistydawn says
I have a Bassett hound mixed with blue healer. She has long legs but other than that she mostly looks like a Bassett hound. She is a year old & just now having her first heat. I don’t plan on breeding her but would like to have her fixed. But she is so timid outside of her surroundings.
Jon says
Whoever wrote these responses is very bitter and has a terrible attitude.