I'm seriously contemplating getting a puppy . . . I just don't know

how the two cats would handle it.

But this little guy is just too damned cute:

The cats were the senior members of the household and once the dog understood the pecking order, they got on fine.

You do know bassets bay don't you? Far as I'm concerned, that is their only drawback and it isn't much of a problem if you are home with them, OR far enough from you neighbors! My pals did have to have a 'sitter' stay with the hound when they went out to a movie.

Bassets are wonderful, good natured dogs. Unless your cats really do not like dogs, should be OK. How old are the cats?

Keep the rain off if they flank the hound!

I don't think my neighbors would appreciate it. I don't care personally :)

The reason we chose them is that hounds require a lot of attention and can be stubborn. The baying usually happens when they are bored or left alone too long. The older dogs we have adopted took a lot of work and love to break the habit, but our 3 1/2 year old has never bayed. Unlike the others, we got her as a pup.
Hounds are pack dogs. You cannot leave them alone for a long time. If you are not at home all day, please reconsider.

I don't mean to sound negative but too many have come to us from homes where they were left in the yard all day, left outside at night, and in a few cases, left in cages all day while the family was at work.
Bassets and Beagles are wonderful dogs, but not for everyone. Please consider your lifestyle before you make this huge decision.

to be boss of the domain, the puppy wil be fine with them. The cats will let him know what's what. My sister has a Great Pyr and she brought two kittens into her home. The reaction? The Great Pyr was afraid of them! Of course when her daughter got a rabbit, he was afraid of that too. The pup will be fine. Don't worry.

It should be okay, since he will grow up with the cats, but be very careful. I once sat in the waiting room at my vet's with a mother and little boy and the most adorable puppy who had been clawed in the eye by their cat on Christmas Day. Puppies can be quite a handful. Is there any way to see how your cats react to the dog ahead of time? I have brought a second dog into my home three times and was advised to have the new dog meet my dog ahead of time, on neutral ground. I adopt older animals and knew that both of my cockers had been raised with cats. Also, make sure that the kitties still get plenty of attention. Good luck with this! What a cutie!
:loveya: