Fred Basset by Alex Graham for November 21, 2021

if they only knew the full rich life you live Fred, they wouldn’t think those collies are so clever. (they really are but still)

Fred! The Dears love you just as you are. They can admire other breeds but it doesn’t mean they’re disappointed in or love you less. Sure, they might even compare you guys, but they still love you. Count on it. I do. Those collies are working dogs and are very hyper if they don’t get the exercise they need. You and the Dears are better suited.

Mr. & Mrs. Dear: You should know by now that Bassets are in the Ruling Class, not the Working Class!

But Fred, you have a wonderful personality.

Fred is all those things.

Fred makes it up in “cuteness”.

Fred the Dears love you ! Me thinks they would like you to step up your game in those 4 areas : Alert , Quick , Hardworking , and Obedient . ;-)

Would Fred feel more disappointed had it been “Babe” he was compared, too?

If the Dears love you, Fred, they love you just the way you are.

What, no BABE?

When you get home lead them to that shelf full of “Best In Show” cups you’ve won over the years.

But who wants to take the time to train them? I don’t think that bassets are a typical herding breed…LOL!

Just you Fred, no dog can be as much loved as you XXX

If they wanted a Collie, they’d have gotten one Fred. They chose YOU!

Mr. and Mrs. Dear – Fred is a wonderful dog, but you need to recognize that bassets are not herding dogs and never will be. Don’t be disappointed; celebrate him for what he is! If you need holes dug, or things pulled out of said hole or if you need a rabbit trail followed through thick brush, Fred is you dog.

Sorry, I’ll get down off my soap-box in a moment, but I’ve seen too many people adopt the absolute worst breed for the type of dog they want then either give the dog back to the breeder or send it to a shelter or rescue group because they couldn’t cope with the dog. Belgian Malinois are wonderful dogs, but “laid back family dog” is not a term that applies to them. German Shepherds are fabulously smart dogs … but you’d better be prepared to give them plenty of exercise and training, and have jobs for them to do or they will find their own. Collies and other herding breeds will herd something – it might be you in the absence of livestock. Rant over; you may return to your regularly scheduled comics now.

Some dogs were bred for work. Some dogs were bred for cuddles. :)

Put rabbits in instead of sheep and watch Fred go.

“Master” wouldn’t like the time investment invo!ved in training and maintaining the training of a top sheepdog.

We had a pair of Australian Blue Heelers when our girls were younger. We could tell them to "Get the girls’. And in 15 minutes or less they would have brought them home. Now we have Newfie/Labs mixes but the girls are at University and don’t need to be fetched home. So they herd the chooks and ducks and chase the occasional gaggle of geese that stop over. Now that it’s getting colder here all the Canada geese have flown south to Cabo for their Xmas holiday.

Babe was an ox.

Nonsense! Fred, you may not be quick but you are alert and obedient! Also very smart.

Since I’ve never noticed any sheep around the Dears’ house that needed herding, I think Fred need have no worries about his ability as a sheepdog, lol.

I have an AKC Border Collie. They are incredible dogs. No, Fred, they love you just the way your are!