10 Things You Didn’t Know about The Bassador
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Designer dog breeds are nothing new. For decades, breeders have been mixing breeds in an effort to come up with something new, exciting, and altogether better than anything that’s come before. Naturally, success isn’t always guaranteed. But every now and again, they strike gold. The Bassador is one of those times. A mix between the Basset Hound and the Labrador Retriever, the Bassador is an exceptionally adorable dog with all the best qualities of its parent breeds. If you want to find out more about this affectionate little pooch, stay tuned for ten things you didn’t know about the Bassador.
1. They’re one-half Basset Hound
Cute and cuddly it may be, but the one thing you can never call the Bassador is a pedigree. The Bassador is a designer crossbreed, a mix of two very popular, and very pedigree, breeds. One-half of the family tree is taken up by the Basset Hound. This low-slung dog with its long body, its wrinkled brow, its pendulous ears, and its sorrowful, baleful-looking eyes is one of the easiest to recognize breeds in the dog world. Originally from France and Belgium, it’s now an incredibly popular family pet in all four corners of the globe, thanks in no small part to its friendly, playful, and outgoing nature.
2. And one-half Labrador Retriever
The other side of the Bassador family tree needs little introduction. The Labrador Retriever regularly ranks as one of, if not the, most popular family pets around. They were originally bred in Newfoundland, Canada, as a duck retriever and working dog, but they’ve since spread to almost every country in the world. Blessed with gorgeous good looks, some of the biggest brains in the dog world, and the kind of loyal, loving natures that guarantee them a place in every dog lover’s heart, Labradors have all the qualities you could want from a family companion.
3. They have a strong prey drive
If there’s one thing the Bassador has more of than almost anything else, it’s a strong prey drive. If you have cats, gerbils, or anything else small and furry in the house, you might want to give them a heads-up before introducing a Bassador pup into the fold. If they catch sight of anything they perceive as prey, they’ll be after it before you can count to three. Not all is lost if you’re a Bassador owner who dreams of turning their home into a menagerie, though: with the proper training and socialization, the Bassador can easily learn to live alongside other pets in harmony.
4. Bloat can be a problem
Like most crossbreeds, the Bassador is less likely to suffer from inherited conditions than pure breeds. However, it still pays to keep a close eye out for the health conditions that are known to trouble its parent breeds. As pawsnpups.com notes, some of the key problems to watch out for include hip dysplasia, which can lead to arthritis, mobility problems, and even lameness; bloat, a potentially lethal condition that occurs when the stomach fills with gas, fluid, or food to the point of exerting pressure on the surrounding organs; back problems; glaucoma; and obesity. Providing they remain fit and healthy, most Bassadors can expect to live for between 10 and 12 years.
5. They can weigh up to 70 lbs
Like most breeds, female Bassadors tend to be smaller than their male counterparts, but as a-z-animals.com (a-z-animals.com/animals/bassador/) notes, there can be huge variation between individuals. Depending on whether they take after the Labrador or the Basset Hound, a Bassador can measure anything between 13 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder. Weight can vary from a relatively petite 45 lbs to a substantial 70 lbs.
6. They come in a variety of colors
If you like a surprise, a surprise is exactly what you get with every new litter of Bassadors. As a hybrid, there’s no standard coloring or patterning across the breed. What any individual Bassador looks like will depend on whether it takes after the Labrador or the Basset Hound. As dogtime.com (dogtime.com/dog-breeds/bassador#/slide/1) notes, if they take after their Basset Hound parent, their coat will typically be white, brown and black. If they take after the Labrador side of the family, their coat will either contain more yellow or more black, depending on the Lab’s color.
7. They make excellent companions
As you’d expect from the offspring of two renowned family pets like the Basset Hound and Labrador Retriever, the Bassador makes an excellent companion dog. They love nothing more than being the center of attention; once they find a place by your side, they’re unlikely to leave it on their own accord. Because of their strong attachments to their human families, they aren’t ideal for people who spend long periods away from home. Left to their own devices for too long, they can easily become miserable and even experience separation anxiety.
8. They can be stubborn
Although Bassadors are friendly and outgoing, they can sometimes be wary around strangers, particularly if they take more after the Basset Hound than the Labrador Retriever. They can also have a stubborn side that can make them prone to ignoring instructions and inclined to do what they want, when they want to do it. To nip the problem in the bud, plenty of early socialization and training will be required.
9. They’re escape artists
If there’s an opening in your fence, you can bet your life your Bassador will find it. And if there’s not, they’ll probably create one. Because of their high prey drive, they’ll go to any lengths to follow a scent, including digging under fences and forgetting all about their recall cue when the opportunity arises. To prevent losing them to the chase, keep them on a leash during walks and make sure that any time in the yard is supervised.
10. They need plenty of activity
Just how active a Bassador is depends on which parent breed it takes after most. If it takes after the Labrador Retriever, you’re guaranteed a highly energetic dog who rarely sits still. If it takes after the Basset Hound, you can look forward to a dog who prefers to take things easy. Either way, they’ll need plenty of exercise to keep their potential for obesity in check. Aim to provide at least one half-hour walk per day, along with a few play sessions and shorter walks for good measure.
