Basschshund -- Basset Hound X Dachshund

		Basschshund
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Great Britain <> Germany -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Basschshund

The Basset Hound and Dachshund are two European dwarf dogs known for their gentle temperament, traditionally used for hunting. Cross-breeding these two dogs gave rise to the Basschshund, an equally gentle dog that loves nothing more than spending time with his family in the comfort of his own home. With a heart of gold, the Basschshund is an excellent family dog that requires little physical activity. These dogs are not particularly easy to train, so they must benefit from an experienced owner. The Basschshund's conformation and soft ears may predispose it to certain health conditions, which owners should find out about in advance.

History of the Basschshund

History of the Basschshund When your parents are the docile, gentle Basset Hound and the loyal, outgoing Dachshund, it's inevitable that the Basschshund will turn out to be a feisty little ball of love. As with many specific crossbreed dogs, it's hard to say when the Basschshund was created, although many believe it was only in the last few decades. As for the country of origin, things aren't quite so clear, although most think they may have been developed in the USA. Although the history of the Basschshund is cloudy at best, we do know a lot about their ancestors.

	A little of the Basset Hound
	The Basset Hound is a scent hound that was developed in France in the late 1500s for the express purpose of hunting local rabbits. Their short legs mean they're not the fastest, although this has always suited hunters who work on foot rather than horseback. They are known to have Bloodhounds and Beagles in their lineage.

	Standard of the Basset Hound
	A little of the Dachshund
	The Dachshund also has hunting in its heritage, although it comes from Germany, not France. A more versatile dog, they were used to hunt a range of prey, including foxes, badgers and wild boar. They are thought to have existed in their modern form for around three to four hundred years. There is great variety within the breed, with miniature long-haired, smooth-haired and wire-haired types.

	Standard of the Dachshund

Appearance of the Basschshund

Predicting the appearance of a hybrid is no easy task, and there can be a great deal of variability, even between siblings. While some will more closely resemble their Dachshund parent, others will take on more physical Basset Hound traits. It is assumed that, over time, the breed will become increasingly standardized. Of course, with both parents featuring chondrodysplasia (cartilage malformation resulting in stunted growth) in their breed standard, the Basschshund was never intended for great heights, with most individuals ranging between 22 and 30 cm. Robustly built, fully mature dogs reach weights ranging from 12 to 20 kg. The Basschshund's melancholy brown eyes are one of their most attractive features, only reinforcing their adoring personality. As with their parents, their ears are long and loose, although for many they will never reach the great length and width of the famous Basset hound ears. The Basschshund's long, muscular torso is supported by short limbs. The Basschshund's short coat can be composed of a multitude of colors and patterns, including black, white, gray, brown and chestnut. Mixtures of colors are common, such as black and brown or brown and white.

Temperament of the Basschshund

Probably the best thing about the Basschshund is its gentle, affectionate personality. A gentle soul, this dog likes to be around people and can be trusted with children. They love their owners and are devoted to them, making them an excellent companion for those who live alone. Content most of the time, as long as their needs are met, they shouldn't create too much fuss and should make guests feel more at ease. The desire to hunt is never far from the surface and, as both parents were first-rate hunting dogs, the Basschshund could not be expected to pass up the opportunity to smell and follow. For this reason, they should not be housed with smaller animals, such as rodents or rabbits. It may also mean that their recall isn't ideal, because when they smell a scent, it's often game over. Owners need to be aware of this trait if they plan to avoid them. Alert and moderately territorial, Basschshunds make effective watchdogs and will let you know if someone new arrives. However, they are far too gentle to act on their empty threats and should not be considered guard dogs.

Needs and activities of the Basschshund

The Basschshund's temperament will be a combination of the Dachshund's personality and disposition. The Basschshund is independent, stubborn, playful and has a mischievous side. Because it is a hunting breed, it can hunt small animals. Basschshunds should be socialized with children and other animals from an early age. This hybrid loves to play with children and other dogs. Basschshunds are not very energetic dogs, but they love their daily walks. They are alert and make good watchdogs, and are known to be aggressive towards strangers. Because of their stubbornness, obedience training will require consistency and patience. Basschshunds form a strong bond with their owners and make wonderful additions to the family.

Maintenance of the Basschshund

The Basschshund is a shedding dog, so it should be brushed once a week with a smooth brush or grooming glove. Basset Hounds can develop a musky odor. For this reason, the Basschshund should be bathed monthly with a mild dog shampoo. It's important to try to prevent water from getting inside these floppy ears, as breeds with this type of ear are susceptible to yeast and bacteria that develop into infection. Next, your dog should be dried with a towel or carefully with a hair dryer using gentle heat. Basschshund's nails should be trimmed every 10 to 14 days to reduce stress on their tiny feet. Teeth should be brushed regularly to prevent tartar build-up. Basschshund ears should be cleaned once a week. Soft ears don't allow good air circulation and can be a source of problems. Your vet can recommend the best ear cleaning for your dog.