[2024] Basset Retriever Dog Breed (Complete Guide)

Basset Retriever Dog Overview

The super-friendly Basset Retriever combines the Golden Retriever’s people-pleasing attitude with the Basset Hound’s laid-back personality to create an excellent family dog that gets along well with children and, with some socialization, other pets.

Because both parent breeds originated as hunters, you should expect your Basset Retriever to pursue every scent he encounters.

The Basset Retriever is an excellent family dog since it gets along with children, other dogs, and even strangers.

He is an easy-going dog who is ready to please, playful, affectionate, and loyal to his family.

Because he is highly intelligent, he will require mental stimulation to avoid becoming bored and possibly destructive.

Because this dog is descended from two hunting breeds and has a strong desire to track odors and chase smaller animals, it is critical that he is socialized from an early age to avoid him thinking the household cat and other small pets as fair game.

Basset Retriever Highlights

Basset Retrievers are a cross-breed breed of dog. They, unlike their Basset Hound and Golden Retriever parents, are not purebreds.

The Basset Retriever’s coat comes in four primary colors: black, chocolate, golden, and white.

When it comes to grooming, once a week brushing the coat should suffice. The Basset Retriever is not a dog that sheds much.

Generally, the Basset Retriever is an excellent match for children. Ensure that playtime is supervised.

With regard to other household pets, the Basset Retriever’s basic hunting instincts may cause it to view cats and other small animals as prey to pursue. Early on, strict boundaries must be established.

The Basset Retriever is known as an energetic and active breed that requires approximately one hour of daily activity. This should ideally be in an area where the dog can run freely and socialize with other canines.

The folded-over ears of the Basset Retriever will demand extra attention. Keep an eye out for signs of infection or dirt accumulation and clean them regularly.

Basset Retriever Breed Features & Ratings:

Rated base on a 5 Star Scale
ENERGY LEVEL: 4 Star
EXERCISE REQUIREMENTS: 4 Star
PLAYFULNESS: 4 Star
AFFECTION LEVEL: 4 Star
FRIENDLINESS TO DOGS: 3 Star
FRIENDLINESS TO OTHER PETS: 3 Star
FRIENDLINESS TO STRANGERS: 4 Star
WATCHFULNESS: 5 Star
EASE OF TRAINING: 4 Star
GROOMING REQUIREMENTS: 1 Star
HEAT SENSITIVITY: 4 Star
VOCALITY 5 Star

Basset Retriever Characteristics:

Dog Breed Group: Mixed Breed Dogs
Height: 10 to 14 inches
Weight: 40 to 70 pounds
Life Span: 10 to 12 years
Type: Crossbreed
AREA OF ORIGIN: France
DATE OF ORIGIN: 7th Century
OTHER NAMES: None
Temperament: Loyal, intelligent, energetic, playful, affectionate, eager to please
Activities: Swimming, Obedience, Agility
Color: Brown, tan, white, tri-color
Litter Size: 6 to 8 puppies
Puppy Prices: Prices vary according to breeder, availability, and parent pedigree, but you should budget between $600-$800 for a puppy.

Basset Retriever Health:

Although Basset Retrievers are typically regarded to be healthy dogs, the mixed breed can be vulnerable to some of the same health problems as the Basset Hound and Golden Retriever.

As is always the case, it is critical to arrange routine wellness checks with your dog’s veterinarian.

Several of the most prevalent health problems that Basset Retrievers face include the following:

Eye issues
Elbow dysplasia

Basset Retriever Grooming:

The Basset Retriever’s coat comes in four primary colors: black, chocolate, golden, and white. The coat of a mixed breed can be short or long, depending on which parent breed is dominant.

The coat is often glossy and velvety to the touch. When it comes to grooming, once a week, brushing the coat should suffice. The Basset Retriever is not a dog that sheds much.

In terms of climate, the Basset Retriever is a flexible breed that can typically live peacefully in a wide variety of climates.

However, remember to dress the mixed breed in a dog coat when the temperature drops below freezing, and always to provide ample shade and fresh water when the weather rises.

Basset Retriever Exercise:

Basset Retrievers are high-energy dogs with a lengthy history of hunting and working in their parent breeds.

You should attempt to provide them with at least two hours of exercise per day, split into two sessions if possible.

When walking these dogs, it is critical to keep them on a leash, as they have a strong nose and may bolt after a scent, making retrieval difficult.

Even the most well-trained Basset Retrievers can develop tunnel vision when confronted with an alluring scent and forget their command training!

Playtime is an integral aspect of exercise, and it will ensure that your dog receives the cerebral stimulation they require.

Additionally, it provides an excellent opportunity for bonding with your dog. They like games such as fetch and frisbee and are also noted for their swimming abilities.

Basset Retriever Training:

Basset Retrievers have strong predatory instincts in general, and they’ll require adequate training to avoid bolting after a scent.

You should aim to begin training and socializing as soon as possible, preferably the day you bring them home.

Due to their Basset Hound ancestry, they can be stubborn at times, and will require constant and strong training over time and with dedication.

We strongly encourage using reward-based training methods, as their eager-to-please disposition will benefit from them and will help them pick up commands much more quickly.

Additionally, we advocate engaging in training sessions following exercise, as they will be less distracted and more focused on the task at hand.

With their Golden Retriever DNA, they are exceptionally bright canines that are generally quick learners and love the training process.

Basset Retriever Food and Nutrition:

A Basset Retriever diet should be designed for a medium-sized, high-energy dog.

Basset Retrievers require a balanced diet because excessive eating can result in weight gain and associated health problems, especially if the appropriate activity is not provided.

As with all dogs, the Basset Retriever’s nutritional requirements fluctuate as they mature into adulthood and continue to do so into their senior years.

You should consult your veterinarian on your Basset Retriever’s food, as there is just too much variation between individual dogs in terms of weight, energy, and health to provide a specific recommendation.

Basset Retriever Temperament and Personality:

The personality of the Basset Retriever is a strong blend of their parent breeds.

On the Golden Retriever side, we have an eager dog that is constantly seeking to please the humans in their lives, but the Basset Hound may be a little stubborn and, at times, lethargic.

As a result, the Basset Retriever is typically an excellent family dog, forming loving and fun ties with the parents and children in their life—as long as proper early socialization is implemented.

As such a clever dog, the Basset Retriever needs mental stimulation—so you’ll want to supply intelligent toys and also maintain a consistent training regimen to ensure that the dog is constantly challenged to learn new tasks.

Exercise is also critical for the dog’s health. While Basset Retrievers are generally adaptable to smaller living situations, they will still require enough outdoor access. A secure and enclosed rear yard would be ideal.

Basset Retriever Care/Upkeep:

As is the case with all dogs, it is critical to maintaining your Basset Retriever’s regular veterinary examinations to discover any health concerns early.

Your veterinarian can assist you in developing a regimen for caring for your dog that will keep it healthy.

The Basset Retriever is an energetic and active breed that requires approximately one hour of daily activity. This should ideally be in an area where the dog can run freely and socialize with other canines.

Due to the mixed breed’s great intelligence, you’ll want to incorporate activities and chores that engage both their mind and body.

Allowing your Basset Retriever to become bored or trapped into the same old routine is not a good idea. Apart from exercise, the folded-over ears of the Basset Retriever will require additional attention.

Trim the dog’s nails every few weeks, and check the paw pads for any signs of injury sustained during outside escapades.

Additionally, consult your veterinarian about the proper technique for brushing your teeth regularly.

Basset Retriever Relationship with Children and Other Pets

Generally, the Basset Retriever is an excellent match for children.

Due to the dog’s lively personality, it’s not uncommon for children to become great friends with the dog. Ensure that early socializing occurs and that appropriate limits are established.

Concerning other household pets, the Basset Retriever’s basic hunting instincts may cause it to view cats and other small animals as prey to pursue. Strict limits must be established early on if the dog is being introduced to a household with other animals.

Finally, early socialization is critical for this mixed breed. When you bring your Basset Retriever home to your family, be sure to reward them for excellent behavior and to follow a suitable training regimen.

Basset Retriever Names

Rank	Boy Names	Girl Names
01	Buddy	Molly
02	Zeus	Bella
03	Toby	Callie
04	Oscar	Luna
05	Rocky	Missie
06	Baxter	Layla
07	Sammy	Sandy
08	Beau	Stella
09	Rocco	Gracie
10	Moose	Penny

All About Basset Retriever

The Basset Retriever is a hybrid breed created by crossing the unwaveringly devoted Golden Retriever with the clever Basset Hound. With this combination, you can be certain of a dog that is very clever, eager to please, and a diligent worker, as well as being as affectionate and lively as they come.

Another guarantee is plenty of energy, and it can take quite a bit of exercise to exhaust these puppies! Naturally, as is the case with all mixed breeds, this dog may favor one parent over the other.

A Basset Retriever with a dominant Golden Retriever gene pool will likely be more devoted and committed to its owner, but a Basset Hound with strong Basset Hound genetics will likely have a stronger hunting instinct and may be a little more stubborn.

Regardless of the dominant breed, both breeds are skilled hunters with a long history of field work, and a Bassett Retriever is likely to have a strong prey drive regardless of the dominant breed.

Basset Retriever History:

As a more recent designer dog breed, the Basset Retriever lacks an accurate history, although it is supposed to have originated in France. Investigating the parent breeds of the dog enables you to gain a firm grasp on their ancestors.

In Victorian times, the Golden Retriever was bred as a hunting dog. These canines have since grown to be one of the most popular dogs in the United States.

When it comes to the Basset Hound, the breed was initially bred as a hunting dog, where they gained notoriety for their ability to combine playful and stubborn traits. Nowadays, Basset Hounds are often regarded as excellent companion dogs.

Where to Adopt Basset Retriever:

Because Basset Retrievers are a mixed breed, it may be difficult to identify a breed-specific rescue.

However, you may wish to contact breed-specific rescues for Basset Hounds or Golden Retrievers, as they frequently care for mixed breeds as well. Listed here are some possible rescues:

Belly Rubs Basset Rescue
As Good as Gold

More Dog Breeds and Further Research:

If you want to pet a similar breed, consider taking time in reading about these:

Basset Retriever Fun Facts:

The Basset Retriever is usually a great fit with kids. Make sure to supervise playtime.
Basset Retrievers are incredibly graceful and pretty. Its legs make them look quite cute.
Like every other dog in this world, Basset communicates through vocalization and physical gestures.
These dogs have quite a few specialties, but running is not one of them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

How smart is a Basset Retriever?

Bassets are fairly intelligent dogs, but they are not the easiest to train. Start training right off with puppies and do plenty of positive training to keep them interested. They enjoy tracking and hunting, even if only as a casual pastime.

Is a Basset Retriever a good house dog?

Because of their friendly traits, Basset Retriever are great family dogs! Their kind nature and spunky personality makes them a great fit for many homes. Basset Hounds are one of the most easy going and pleasant-natured breeds in the dog world.