So glad to hear you have Bassets to make you happy!! Our Basset makes us laugh every day. As soon as we feel we have the space in our pack, we're going to get another because Doug needs a playmate.
I take our dogs out on leashes and other than that, they stay in the house as we don't have a fence. By keeping them in, we cut down on holes and canine turf cutting but if mine were to be out of doors, I'd adopt the pine bark suggestion one of the other quilters gave. Enjoy your Basset 500!