Hush Basset -- Basset Hound X English Cocker Spaniel

		Hush Basset
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Great Britain -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen
This breed is also known as			Cocker Basset

A brief presentation of the Hush Basset

The Hush Basset is a relatively new hybrid breed, the result of a specific cross between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Basset Hound. Despite their droopy and sometimes downtrodden appearance, Hush Bassets are generally happy dogs with a high level of affection and sociability with people and other dogs, making them excellent pets for those with large families and/or busy lifestyles. Because both parent breeds come from hunting backgrounds, one from the scent group, the other from sport, this breed can still make a good hunting dog with the right training, but given its cute looks and designer focus, it's more often found as a pet than anything else. But the same lineage that gives them their adorable looks also gives them the tendency to follow their noses, which means they can often become stubborn and somewhat difficult to train, especially if not started early. On the whole, their friendly attitude and desire to be social often outweigh their less desirable tendencies.

History of the Hush Basset

While the Hush Basset is a new designer breed with a limited history, both parent breeds have deep roots in their respective countries of origin and beyond.

	A little of the Basset Hound
	The Basset Hound is thought to have originated in France in the Middle Ages, the result of breeding with other Bassets of the time, the Artois and Normans. Their refinement is generally attributed to the monks of the Saint-Hubert monastery in Belgium, where breeding was aimed at a low, heavy-nosed dog that was slow enough to keep up with hunts. Over the years, these dogs gained in popularity and were even supplied to the aristocracy in the 7th and 8th centuries. As they traveled and spread, they underwent further changes, which were largely cemented in England in the late 1800s by breeder Everett Millais, widely regarded as the father of the modern version we know today. Since their arrival in America, their morose faces quickly found favor in pop culture as early as the 1950s and 1960s in characters like the aptly named Droopy.

	Standard of the Basset Hound
	A little of the English Cocker Spaniel
	The Spaniel's history dates back to 1620, when it was first documented aboard the Mayflower, but they weren't registered until the late 1800s. The English Cocker Spaniel first came to the attention of hunting enthusiasts in the 19th century thanks to its skilful ability to hunt birds such as the capercaillie, which gave rise to the Spaniel's namesake. American breeders, however, preferred them to be smaller in size, making them easier to manage as hunters, show dogs and companions. After the transformation, their popularity soared to the point where they spawned troublesome puppy mills and bad breeding habits just to keep up with demand, but many have since been deterred by law. Today, English Cocker Spaniels remain in the top 30 in popularity, according to the American Kennel Club rankings, for their friendliness, intelligence and general aesthetics.

	Standard of the English Cocker Spaniel

Appearance of the Hush Basset

The Hush Basset takes on many of the Basset Hound's strong characteristics, including its low silhouette, elongated body, barrel chest and drooping features, but takes on the longer coat and slightly more athletic build of the English Cocker Spaniel. They generally sport short to medium square noses with sagging cheeks and eyebrows to match long ears that hang with supple disdain. Averaging just 35.5 centimeters in height, this breed often sports much more weight and length than height, and usually has a straight to slightly sloping back, deep chest and even muscles throughout. Their coats are generally short to medium in length and, thanks to their Spaniel heritage, come in a wide variety of colors.

Temperament of the Hush Basset

Hush Bassets are generally happy, friendly and affectionate dogs who love attention and know how to get it, enter the sad puppy eyes. They generally thrive in social situations thanks to their laid-back attitude with other dogs and people, and generally remain level-headed even when there's a bit of a ruckus around them. Although they are relatively laid-back dogs, this is also reflected in their compliance with commands, and they often become quite stubborn and can be difficult to train, especially later in life. They are a vocal breed, so potential owners need to be aware of their living situation and their availability for training to deter excessive barking.

Needs and activities of the Hush Basset

While the English Cocker Spaniel can be a medium-to-high-energy dog, the Basset Hound takes very little exercise to satisfy, leaving the Hush Basset to stand in the middle. Like any dog, they exercise to keep happy and healthy, but given their size and short legs, it takes much less work than a dog of similar weight. Walking them regularly is a great way to tire them out, and signs of fatigue will quickly become apparent at the speed of their movements. They generally do well in most living spaces as long as there's plenty of room to move around, play and stretch. Around 10 km of walking a week and 30 to 45 minutes of playtime a day should be enough to satisfy this hardy breed.

Maintenance of the Hush Basset

There's no getting around it: Hush Bassets, like their lineage, are high-maintenance dogs. Since both parent breeds shed frequently, they need to be brushed regularly, at least a few times a week, to remove excess hair and prevent their coats from matting and degrading. Their faces will also need to be wiped and cleaned regularly, as they tend to develop tear stains and are also prone to drooling. Their large, folded ears will also require frequent attention to ensure they don't retain too much moisture, which could lead to a build-up of bacteria and possibly infection, the same goes for their excess skin folds. And, of course, like any other breed, they should receive nail trims, which are usually appropriate every few weeks, weekly tooth brushing and necessary baths, often around once a month, to keep their coats clean and their odor levels down. down, bassets are known to be a little smelly due to their oily skin.