A Pile of Tricolor Basset Puppies Packed Into One Old Wooden Crate

An old wooden crate is packed with tricolor Basset Hound puppies, all of them wedged together like pieces of a puzzle. Faces peek out from every corner, black ears drape over white chests, tan eyebrows lift, and little paws stick out between the siblings. The crate stands on a stone floor beside a wall with old boots and tools in the background.

Basset puppies are pack animals by nature, and bunching up with their siblings comes naturally to them. Bassets were bred to hunt in groups, and they often prefer company to solitude. That social streak is one reason they do best in homes where someone is around for much of the day. Left alone too long, they may get lonely and howl. A crate can be a good tool for training and safety, but a wooden crate like this one can have splinters and sharp nails, so pick a dog crate designed for puppies. Add a soft blanket and a safe chew toy. Never use a crate as a punishment. A heavy-boned Basset needs room to stretch, so choose a size that allows him to stand, turn and lie down comfortably.

This crate is cozy and crowded, and no one is complaining. Puppies like this simply fit together, and nobody wants to be left out. If one wiggles, the whole crate shifts like a wave, and every puppy simply settles back into the nearest warm spot.