What approach to daily exercise, often involving a harness, is suggested for Bassadors in apartment settings to maximize mental engagement?

Answer

Actively tracking scents

The exercise requirements for the Bassador are typically moderate, leaning more toward a companion pace than an athlete's demanding routine. For owners in smaller living spaces, such as apartments, the focus should shift from the sheer duration of the walk to the quality and mental stimulation it provides. Actively engaging the dog's nose by allowing it to track scents during a walk—even if the total time is only 30 minutes—can be significantly more mentally satisfying for the dog than a much longer walk where they are simply pulled along an unstimulating route. Furthermore, when engaging in scent work or tracking, using a harness instead of a collar is specifically recommended to avoid putting undue pressure on the delicate neck structure, which is a concern inherited from the Basset side.

What approach to daily exercise, often involving a harness, is suggested for Bassadors in apartment settings to maximize mental engagement?
familyDogpetbreedBasset Hound