Going by several names, including; Basador, Bassetdor, and Basset Lab, the Bassador is a medium-sized mixed-breed dog. The two breeds that create the Bassadoar are the loving, loyal Labrador Retriever and the stubborn, stout Basset Hound – with both breed’s renowned traits being very prominent in this crossbreed.
The first planned mix breed dog was the Labradoodle – created with people in mind who wanted the Labrador’s love and loyalty, without the excessive shedding. The Labradoodle was the world’s first hypoallergenic dog, but soon people started to plan more crossbreeds – and in the 1990s, this included the Bassador.
Bassadors can look completely different, litter to litter, sibling to sibling. Some litter mates take on the Labrador Retrievers’ larger frame, while others will be shorter and stockier like the Basset Hound.
Bassadors come in many different colors and patterns too. If they have a black Labrador parent, their coat is likely to be more black. If they have a yellow Labrador parent, it could be more yellow. They will also come in colors from the Basset Hound parent, including; black, brown, and white. They tend to be in one solid color with flecks or patches of another.
Also Read: Large Dog Breeds List A-Z with Pictures
What is a Bassador Dog Breed?
So, we know that the Bassador is a straight cross between a Labrador and a Basset Hound, but what else do we know? As with all new ‘designer dogs,’ dog hybrids, and crosses, there isn’t going to be a long, traceable history. But, with the Bassador entering its third decade, there are some things that we do know.
The breed likely began in North America. Once breeders saw a demand for this smaller version of a Labrador with the Basset Hound’s adorable face and features, they began to create more deliberately.
The Labrador Retriever and the Basset Hound are entirely different breeds. Although both breeds were initially bred as gun dogs, almost everything else is different about them. When the two are combined, we can have an actual mismatched litter.
The Bassador isn’t yet officially recognized by the American Kennel Club, but it is still an increasingly common breed in the USA.
Bassador Dog Facts
Although, as stated, Bassador’s can range dramatically, generally they will be within the following statistics:
[wpdatatable id=48]Bassador Dog Characteristics
- High prey drive
- Affectionate
- Loving
- Loyal
- Friendly
- Playful
- High-energy
- Intelligent
- Stubborn
- Greedy
- Social
Bassador Dog Breed Physical Appearance
As mentioned, Bassador dogs can vary hugely. However, in general, they have consistently thick coats, which are short and dense. A Bassador is likely to shed fairly heavily and will require a high level of grooming.
If your Bassador has the Basset Hound’s wrinkled face and long ears, they may need additional – even daily – cleaning to prevent bacteria build-up, which could lead to skin infections.
A Bassador can look more like a Labrador, more like a Basset Hound, or acute – or even comical – a mix of both. Common to both breeds are the large, expressive eyes that can appear thoughtful or sad. A more prominent trait from the Basset Hound to appear in many Bassadors is the short legs, with front paws that can slightly turn outwards.
The muzzle of a Bassador tends to be long and thin, with ears shorter than a Basset Hound but longer than a Labrador Retriever. Their body is commonly longer than it is tall, and they’re often in one solid color with occasional patches.
Bassador Exercise and Training
Labradors and Bassets differ here immensely. While the Labrador is highly intelligent, eager to please, and quick to react to training methods, the Basset is noted to be ‘fairly intelligent’ and not the easiest breed to train.
The Labrador requires plenty of on-lead and off-lead exercise multiple times a day. The Basset Hound is a more low-energy dog. It’s potluck what you’ll get with a mixed breed, so be prepared for both!
Most dogs will respond to consistent training from the moment you bring them home as puppies. Some breeds can just take longer to learn what it is you’re expecting from them. If you’re consistent and reinforce messages positively with puppy training treats, the majority of dogs will get the message – sooner or later.
Both the Labrador and the Basset Hound are friendly and love their family, so a Bassador is pretty much guaranteed to be the same. This likely means that a Bassador won’t enjoy being left alone for an extended period of time or on a regular basis. You could prevent distress by considering crate training from the very beginning.
A Bassador, due to its genetics, is at a higher risk of becoming overweight, so exercise is essential. If you’ve found yourself with a lazy Bassador, you could still exercise him without having to trek to the park and play fetch, ball, or tug of war at home or in the garden.
Bassador Breed Health
With a lifespan of around 12 years, the Bassador is a pretty healthy dog. However, breed associated health conditions you should be aware of are:
- Bloat
- Glaucoma
- Back injuries
- Diabetes
- Hip dysplasia
Ensure that your pup receives his vaccinations and annual boosters as he grows. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian and a good diet, as well as mental stimulation and exercise, meaning that you’re giving your dog the best chance of having a long, healthy life.
Although their energy levels can vary, as stated previously, Bassadors can be prone to weight gain, which can cause a whole host of health problems. Short walks, long walks, home-activity sessions or agility training can all help to keep your dog trim and avoid weight-related health problems.
Long-eared Bassadors will need extra care taken for their ears. Check their ears often and clean them as required to prevent ear infections. If your dog gets a lot of sidewalk walking, they could keep their nails trim without intervention, especially when this is on-lead, but if not, you will need to check and trim their nails when they show signs of starting to curl.
Dental treats and chews can help take care of your Bassadors teeth and ensure that they’re low in sugars and fats. You could look into dog toothbrushes or dog teeth cleaning kits too.
Parent Breeds of the Bassador
With two well-loved family pets being Mom and Dad, the Bassador has every chance of being the perfect companion dog. Known for extreme friendliness to people and other dogs, a Bassador should fit into any family unit and make a house a home.
Let’s look a little further into the parent breeds of the Bassador.
Labrador Retriever
Their loving, eager-to-please nature, matched with their high intelligence and remarkable agility, is why Labradors are such popular service dogs. They have always worked for men since their first documentation as gun dogs in the 1830s.
Bred for work, they’re excellent retrievers, assistance dogs, and sniffer dogs, as well as excellent family pets – as long as people remember their need for stimulation and exercise. Labrador Retrievers are strong and will benefit from obedience training, but they’re good with other dogs, pets, and children once boundaries have been set.
Labradors aren’t dogs to be kept in small apartments or left alone for long periods. They will respond to this with destructive behavior, such as barking to excess, howling, chewing, or digging. The Labrador just wants to be your best friend and be part of your life at all times. There is nothing aloof about this breed.
Basset Hound
Laidback and prone to laziness, the Basset Hound is a relaxed pup who is easily adaptable and highly affectionate. Moderate exercise is essential as this breed is very prone to obesity. They are likely to protest about too much exercise, and their stubborn nature can mean you will have to coax them into a walk!
Bred as gun dogs, when they have a job to do, they can be very determined and love mental stimulation. Generally, the Basset Hound is an easygoing companion and a perfect family dog. They can be emotionally sensitive and so respond much better to positive praise when training over punishment.
The Basset Hound has a mind of his own, and training can take time and patience, but they are an intelligent breed and will get there. They don’t like alone time and can howl, bark or pine an excellent deal for their owner, so crate training early on would greatly benefit this breed.
Bassador Summary
A lucky dip of a breed, where you just don’t know what you’re going to get! Will he grow tall, short, stocky, or slight? Will he want energetic hikes daily, or just to be left alone in front of a warm fire? Who knows. We know with this breed that he will be friendly and love his family a great deal.
A definite companion dog, the Bassador should fit into the majority of lifestyles without much fuss. Consistent training from the very beginning and positive praise will result in an overall great family dog with some patience thrown in.
The Bassador is prone to putting on weight, so careful feeding and healthy treats, combined with regular exercising are important. Likely to be moderate to brilliant, mental stimulation is key to reduce the risk of anxiety or destructive behavior.
The Bassador breed will not respond well to being left alone, so they’re not compatible with people who work long hours or are often away from home. Crate training from the very start is essential if you plan to leave your Bassador home alone. Leaving him with mind-stimulating toys and in a good routine should reduce unwanted behaviors.
Diet is essential as both parent breeds are prone to obesity and are known to be highly food-orientated. A nutritional, completely balanced kibble food with the occasional healthy treat is recommended. The stubbornness of the Basset Hound coming through could make exercise difficult, but you must be persistent!
If your Bassador has longer-ears, they need to be monitored for dirt and grime or anything that could lead to bacterial infections. Nail trimming and dental care are also necessary with this breed, as with any other.
When choosing your Bassador puppy, ask to see both parents as well as pictures of any previous litters. This can give you a better idea of the kind of dog you’re going to raise. Bassets and Labs are family-oriented, loyal, protective, and dog-friendly breeds with little-to-no aggressive tendencies, so they’re fantastic dogs for children to grow alongside.
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Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.