• You do not need to bring a blanket. We will give you back the blanket you sent us; plus, we give you a blanket with our scent on it. UNLESS you are traveling far, then, yes, bring a FEW blankets to keep your puppy comfortable. Keep in mind that your puppy has NEVER been outside, and we don't want your puppy to get cold or chilled AT ALL. Puppies can get the flu. So, keeping your puppy warm, sprayed with On-Guard, and comfortable is a must. We will send home 3 days of food and of NuVet with you. 

• Your puppy has been raised in a large pack. Your puppy will NEVER have been alone, played alone, or dined without fighting for space. The first couple of weeks is going to be rough for both of you. Get some sleep NOW!

• You will need to feed your puppy three times a day. At each feeding, give two cups of dry kibble, two large tablespoons of a good, grain-free, corn-free wet food, and one large tablespoon of pumpkin--NOT pumpkin pie from the can, but straight pumpkin from the can. Pumpkin is good for constipation and loose stool. As a rule of thumb, we give ALL our dogs a tablespoon of pumpkin on top of their food every day. Break a NuVet tablet in half (only for the first 4 to 5 months, then a whole tablet) and sprinkle it on top. Now, add a small amount of hot water and mix it all up. Your puppy should gobble it all up.  Watch the video below about this process. Puppies will poop and pee within 15 minutes TOP after eating; so, immediately put your puppy on the wee-wee pad. Moving the pad closer to the door and outside every few days. Puppies' bladders do not mature until they are 6 to 9 months old, so be prepared for lots of accidents. Your puppy should gain a minimum of 2 pounds a week for the first 8 months. These are European Basset Hounds, not Greyhound dogs; therefore, let them pile on the muscle and fat. They will go through skinny periods the first 2 years with growth spurts. We would rather you run through us for any medical the first year. Vets, of course, are super smart and know the general anatomy of all animals. However, WE ARE the experts in European Basset Hounds.

NOTE: Depending on how much exercise your puppy gets, your puppy will need to eat three to four times a day. You need to play it by ear. Your puppy will let you know if they are still, again, hungry. Usually, if this is an only dog home, your puppy will NOT get the much needed play time so won't eat a lot. Your puppy will not overeat either. If your puppy is gaining too much weight too fast, your puppy will get Pano. You will notice your puppy limping and generally not feeling well. This is NOT cause for a vet visit. Call us if your puppy exhibits any of these symptoms. 

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You need to pick a brand of dog food and stick to it. We like Purina Pro Plan for LARGE BREED dogs, but the cost of Purina has tripled in price in the past year, and it's VERY difficult to find. Since the kibble is the main stay in the your puppy's diet, find a good canned food and use that as a topper for the kibble. At Houndful Hearts, we cook up chicken (hamburger once the dog has been spayed) and add cooked or raw veggies, cottage cheese, and yogurt to the kibble). Cooked chicken is an excellent choice instead of canned topper.