The spotlight shines on two hounds that are proving their breed can do it all, including Agility! Basset Hounds, Gus and Wylie, love the sport and running on their Freshman Agility League teams in New York, where they deliver super performances. Their owner, Brooke says it is not true that Bassets are sleepy, laid-back dogs. They are hunting dogs that love to be active. She tells us more about her dynamic duo:

Call Names: Gus & Wylie

Breed: Basset Hound

Age: Gus, 3 years; Wylie, 5 years

Registered names: Gus Gus IX ACT2 ; Wylie Coyote BCAT ACT2 ACT2J ACT1J

Owner: Brooke Farley

City/state: Oneida, NY

League team and division: Gus – Shake and Bake, Limited Freshman; Wylie – Lickety Split, Limited Freshman

Have you owned the breed for some time and what attracted you to the breed?

Gus is my fifth Basset Hound, the third to compete in agility. They are definite clowns and don’t get enough credit for having the ability to be fast and having the trainability that they have. They are not sleepy hound dogs and really strive to be active and busy.

Tell us a little about the breed history.

Growing up with my first dog being a Labrador Retriever, it is definitely a change to go to a hound, who likes to scent trails and follow their noses. Bassets were bred to be a “slow man’s” hunting dog to follow on foot while tracking rabbits.

How did you get interested in agility and start training your bassets in the sport?

My first Basset Hound, Deacon, I started in agility to give him more confidence, and he took it and ran with it, competing in many trials. He was a great ambassador for the breed, and I wanted to compete with my other dogs as I grew into the dog sporting world.

What are they like to train and compete with? 

Gus is a bit of a worry wort; bigger trials make him a little more nervous. He is getting better with trial anxiety and gaining confidence. Gus is a very matter of fact dog and does not take a joke – he will let me know he is displeased with my handling skills. Wylie is very trainable and very forgiving in the ring, letting everyone know he is competing with his big hound dog bay throughout every class

What is your favorite thing about League and how has it helped your training program? 

Agility league has grown Gus’ speed and confidence with courses ten-fold. He has gotten so down to business with the courses; it is amazing.

Do they compete in other sports?

Gus also competes in AKC Fast CAT trials and is close to his first title there, only competing a few times so far. Wylie competes in Fast CAT and has his BCAT title.

What advice do you have for others who want to pursue agility with long-backed, low-legged breeds?

I have to stress that the dogs must be in shape and not too heavy. Both my Bassets are very lean at 42 pounds. They walk at least 1 mile every day, and if possible 1-3 miles per day. They also get a joint supplement and high doses of fish oil every day help their joints and inflammation.

Future goals?

I would like to start scent work with Gus, and I would like to go to the Basset Hound Club of America’s national specialty with both dogs at some point.