Taking a Bassett for a Walk in the Inner City

We took Mei Mei for a walk last night around the block.  In a neighborhood of pitbulls, German Shepard, and rottweilers, a bassett is an oddity.  We heard comments like, "Yo, what kind of dog is that?"  "Is that a wiener dog or what?"  "Look at those ears!  And she's just a puppy!" One little girl was delighted with her and asked when we would come back so she could pet her.  Like we don't stand out enough here, our dog makes us more of a conversation piece.