Social media has its benefits if it makes it possible to share your compassions with others.
As a former Basset Fauve de Bretagne breeder I found that there must be more people like me that love their dogs and would love to share their experiences, fun, joy and also the problems we find in our daily life with our dogs.
Basset Fauve puppy having a ball at the ball pool
So I started a Dutch Fauve group a few years ago. And yes…. The group was growing fast and has now almost 500 members from all over the Netherlands.
It is a very active group with lots of loving people. Some members are recent owners of a pup or older dog, some are waiting for it, some do have one… some a lot more, some only Fauves, some other breeds too.
What do we share? Better question would be what do we NOT share about our dogs?
We frequently post pictures of our dogs in all kind of situations: at home, on our sofa or bed, enjoying the sun, walking along the beach, killing stuffed animals, digging holes in the garden and more. And we do reply to each other pictures “oh mine does the same” , “oh yours is a digger too”.
By sharing our experiences, we found out that virtually all Basset Fauves can be bribed with cheese.
But not only sharing pictures. We “talk” about all kind of stuff that has to do with our dogs. What snacks are safe, what kind of color do you use, where are good walking areas. We support each other when the dogs are sick; share advice about treatments, support owners when their beloved buddy has to go over the rainbow bridge … yes the group is a warm nest for all that do love their Fauves.
We also advice potential pup owners to find a good responsible breeder, warn about the bad ones, and do enjoy all the stories and pictures of new born pups and new pup owners. In the group it is lovingly called “puppy spam” and we do love it!
We share tips on how to bring up your Basset Fauve de Bretagne puppy, and we share images. We love puppy spam!
Regularly we organize walks for our dogs at different parts of the country. Walks at the beach of in the woods, so much fun for dogs and owners. Sometime the come together is joined by more than 60 Fauves and there owners from all over the Netherlands. This are big big fun events and both, dogs and owners, enjoy it so much. Time to talk enjoy our compassion, the dogs.
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne Facebook Group of the Netherlands organizes walks several times a year
The group members also do come together in smaller groups, close to their homes, for a “walk and talk”. Of course … pictures of the walks, big and small, are shared on the group site.
Now and then we try to find a home for a rescue Fauve from Spain or France in the group. And yes… already several of them have found a loving new home in the Netherlands with one of the group members. It is great to see how this dogs develop from shy, afraid dogs to great family members. And of course .. if a Dutch Fauve needs to be rehomed we all try to find a great place for him or her too!
Like all griffons, the Basset Fauve likes to be treated as a real family member and that means you will have to share the couch with them
And I think I also should mention that this group is not related to a breed club or breeder. All owners and lovers of the breed are more than welcome in this group. No matter from where their dog is or if it is a pure bred with pedigree or not. The only thing that matters is the passion we share and that we do respect each other and each other’s dog(s).
I think we can say… for all of us our dogs are not just dogs but full family members and it is just great to be able to share that with others!
Please look us up on Facebook group if you are interested to become a member of the Basset Fauve de Bretagne Nederland group.
/Birgit Sievers
