Puppies are here!
On January 9th, Charlotte's temperature had a slight drop, so we started puppy watch. On the 10th, around 12:15pm, she started...
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INTRODUCING DAKOOZI HOUNDS
At Dakoozi Hounds we are passionate about our animals and our breed. We are dedicated to the preservation of the purebred basset hound and strive for the continued improvement of our lines according to our breed standard.
We love helping people find the perfect new addition for their families and enjoy a reputation as a kind and caring breeder of quality hounds. We are happy to share with you our experience and knowledge for the best care for your new family member, and offer lifetime support and connection with our puppies' families.
We are still building our breeding program, and add new information periodically.
Please continue to follow us on Facebook, and keep checking back for updates!
WHAT'S NEW?
Where it all began ...
I come from a family of dog lovers. Though nobody in my circle was ever involved in purebred dogs or dog sports, everyone around me always had a dog. From shelters, from out of country rescues, from farms and newspaper classifieds, our dogs came from many different places.
Dasher was my first basset hound that my parents acquired when I was 10. She was a rescue from the local animal shelter. They estimated her to be 2-3 years old, and her time had just about run out to be adopted - until my dad found her. He brought her home and she and I developed a bond that was undeniable.
When I left home after college, it was natural that Dasher came with me. She was there for the birth of my son, and though completely blind and deaf at that point, she could still always be found sleeping next to him. Not long after my son's birth, we lost Dasher. She had spent an incredible 14 1/2 years with me. She will always be my heart dog, and the one I owe my passion and love for the breed to.
After Dasher, I always had to have a basset hound in my life. We found Josie (short for Josephine), and then several years later, made a quick decision to bring Georgia home. Dallas came to us in April 2021.
While Dasher was my heart dog, there is no better way to describe Dallas than my "soul dog". I have never known a bond like the one I have with him. It is intense, and it is reciprocated in his actions and the love he shows to me as well. Dallas has a very special story, and rather than share it here again, I invite you to read it on his bio page.
Bringing Dallas into our family opened a whole new world to us. The world of showing and breeding purebred dogs. My very first show was a horrible, almost traumatizing experience. I initially decided that I was never returning to the show ring. But with some encouragement from a breeder mentor I found, I gave it another go about 8 months later. Having someone who could coach, guide, teach and cheer for me made a huge difference. I became hooked and quickly made many new friends in the show world.
We acquired Charlotte in late January 2022, and then that September, Memphis joined our family (he was already 6 months old). Monroe came in August 2023, and Izzy joined the pack in late September 2023. These 5 are our breeding foundation.
With the feedback we have received on our current hounds, plus planned breedings with other kennels' wonderful dogs in the works, we have very high hopes for the future of Dakoozi!
Our Mission, Vision & Values
It is our mission and goal to be an ethical, exceptional breeder of stable, sound and quality basset hounds. We want to do more than provide you with just another cute puppy.
Our breed is our passion, and we are dedicated to the preservation and continuous improvement of the basset hound breed. We can achieve this through continuous education, genetic health testing, showing our dogs in conformation dog shows and selective breeding. Breeding adults will be carefully and deliberately chosen for optimal health, appearance and character.
We plan to breed exceptional dogs that conform as close as possible to the breed standard as set out by the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), as well as international breed standards such as in the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). In addition, our dogs will be bred for excellent temperament and good overall health.
We will also continue to ensure that the dogs we breed are capable of performing the jobs they were bred to do, through training and competition in various disciplines such as nosework (scent detection, tracking), lure coursing and field trials.
It is the combination of all these qualities that will make our dogs, not only competitive in the show rings and trials, but make excellent family pets and companions as well.
What is most important to us
When it comes to breeding our dogs, there are several things we look at to ensure we are choosing the right dogs, the right pairings, and the best offspring to continue our lines.
HEALTH
We uphold high standards for the health of our hounds. They receive regular, in depth veterinary exams and assessments, genetic health screenings for inherited conditions and diseases, and various clearances and health certifications through locally held clinics and reproductive specialists. We strive to choose and breed dogs that are free from genetic defects that could affect the health, longevity and/or quality of life of their offspring. Breeding will be matched, not only to ensure they compliment each other physically, but in their genetic health as well.
We genetic health test for the following:
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Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (Basset Hound Type)
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Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease, X-Linked (Basset Hound Type)
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Thrombopathia (Basset Hound Type)
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Lafora Disease
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Mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS1)
FORM & FUNCTION
While a beautiful hound may do well in a conformation show ring, we want our hounds to excel in what is natural for them as well. The breed's scenting ability is uncanny; it's said that among dogs, only the Bloodhound's nose is more accurate. Originally bred as a tracking & trailing dog, it is important to us that the original intended purpose of the breed is preserved, as well as its overall form. Our lines will be trained and trialed in various breed-acceptable sports such as scent detection (nose work), Sprinter/Chase Ability, barn hunts and field trials, among others, as training and events permit.
CONFORMATION
We breed our dogs to conform to international breed standards and rules of eligibility. We are continuously researching and learning to ensure we are remaining up to date with breed issues, changes, etc. The structure of each puppy will be fully analyzed before determining show/breeding eligibility, and only those that are most correct will continue in the program. All dogs will be bred for structural soundness, smooth, powerful and effortless movement, and all the features that one has come to know and love about the breed - remarkably heavy bone, powerful little legs, massive paws, long, low body, deep and full chest, loose and elastic skin, large, domed head, extremely long, velvety ears, deep brown, mournful eyes, and a forehead wrinkled to the brow.
SOCIALIZATION
A quality basset hound is not only found through careful breeding but also in early development training. Our dogs are family-raised around people of various ages, and are socialized with our own pack 24/7. We provide early learning and development through Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) exercises before the puppies' eyes have opened. These exercises aid in their development, resilience and coping mechanisms, providing families with stable, confident dogs who have a strong foundation and who do well in new and unfamiliar situations.
TEMPERAMENT
The basset hound is a friendly, people-oriented breed, and we will not compromise on personality and temperament in the dogs we produce. Mild-natured and agreeable, the basset hound should never be aggressive and any lines that demonstrate this type of personality will not be considered for our program. Bassets are a pleasant, easygoing breed, generally very sociable with children, other dogs and pets in general, as well as strangers/visitors. Our dogs are raised in our home, and all receive the same opportunity and encouragement to develop individual personalities and confidence. Our hounds are loving, loveable and laughable little clowns that want nothing more than to put a smile on your face and then come in for some serious snuggle-time!
CORE VALUES
Core values are the deeply ingrained principles that guide one’s actions; they can never be compromised, either for convenience or short-term gain. Honesty, integrity, trust and ethics are the chosen core values of, not just our program, but our lives. We believe in safe, healthy and ethical breeding practices. We strive to be 100% transparent and truthful in all aspects of our program. And we are dedicated to continuous research and learning for as long as we continue breeding. We adhere to the code of practice for breeders and are members in good standing with the Canadian Kennel Club, Basset Hound Club of Canada, Basset Hound Club of Western Canada, and our local all-breed kennel club.
GET IN TOUCH
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