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Bassador |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> Canada -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Bassador |
| The Bassador is a hybrid between two beloved breeds, the Basset Hound and the Labrador Retriever, and has been a popular hybrid for ten to twenty years. The Bassador is low to the ground, like its Basset Hound parent, and can have sad, expressive eyes like the Basset Hound. Otherwise, this hybrid breed looks very much like its Labrador Retriever parent and has a similar disposition to the Labrador. The Bassador is a specific crossbreed or hybrid that was bred for companionship rather than hunting or breeding. However, the long history of hunting that runs through both parent breeds can also make this hybrid suitable for the field. |
History of the Bassador |
| The Bassador is a hybrid mix of two popular breeds, the Basset Hound and the Labrador Retriever. Although this hybrid has been a popular choice for nearly twenty years, little documentation is currently available on the mix, and it is currently recognized only by the Dog Registry of America. As such, history is limited, and an examination of the histories of the parent breeds is necessary to understand the Bassador's disposition and other traits. |
A little of the Basset Hound |
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| The Basset Hound was first developed as a French curiosity among the aristocracy, but after the French Revolution, the breed became a popular choice among commoners for hunting. Ordinary Frenchmen couldn't hunt on horseback and needed a dog they could follow on foot. The Basset Hound's short, sturdy legs were perfect for hunting on foot. The Basset Hound only gained popularity in the United States in the 20th century, despite its introduction in colonial times. The 1960s saw the introduction of the Hush Puppy, and the Basset Hound's popularity only grew from there. | ||
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| Standard of the Basset Hound | ||
A little of the Labrador Retriever |
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| The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog and was first developed in Canada to help fishermen. Amazingly, the breed almost became extinct in the 1880s when female Labrador Retrievers were culled from litters in Canada due to high tax rates. Fortunately, the Labrador Retriever was imported to England and America at this time and was gaining in popularity as a hunting companion and retriever. The Labrador Retriever's happy, easy disposition makes it an ideal family dog, and it has remained the top dog in the USA, Canada and England for many decades. | ||
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| Standard of the Labrador Retriever |
Appearance of the Bassador |
| The Bassador resembles both a Basset Hound and a Labrador Retriever. Both breeds have expressive eyes that can appear sad or pensive. The most important Basset Hound trait is the short, sturdy legs of this low-to-ground hybrid. The front legs are also slightly longer. The muzzle is long and slender, and the ears are slightly longer than a Labrador Retriever but shorter than a Basset Hound. The Bassador's body is exaggeratedly longer than it is high, just like the Basset Hound. The coat is short and dense and generally seen in a solid color like that of the Labrador Retriever. However, white patches may adorn the Bassador's chest and feet. |
Temperament of the Bassador |
| Together, the Labrador Retriever and Basset Hound equal a slightly stubborn but genial family dog that is exceptional with children and friendly to strangers. Their stubborn nature can make the Bassador more difficult to train, but with proper praise and food-based motivation, they make excellent dogs for novice and inexperienced dog owners. The Labrador Retriever amplifies the exercise needs of this hybrid, but moderate energy levels mean that the Bassador requires only moderate-intensity exercise, such as a good walk at a brisk pace. |
Needs and activities of the Bassador |
| The Bassador has an excellent temperament thanks to its two parent breeds. The Labrador Retriever is one of the best-known family dogs, and no one questions its popularity. The Basset Hound, although not as popular, still enjoys notoriety for its gentle, docile nature. Considered a well-behaved, if not lazy, dog, the Basset Hound is rarely animated unless it's on the scent trail, and even then, it's still much better behaved than its Hound cousins. |
Maintenance of the Bassador |
| The Bassador is a hybrid between two dogs known to shed moderately to heavily depending on the season. It is not a hypoallergenic dog and requires daily brushing and grooming to help reduce shedding. A stiff brush and a dog glove will help remove dead and loose hair. When brushing your Bassador, always check its ears and remove any wax, dirt or debris. This hybrid has larger ears and is more prone to collecting unwanted build-up that could lead to ear infection. Daily grooming will greatly reduce the chances of your Bassador developing doggy odor, but you may need to bathe your Bassador from time to time with a hypoallergenic shampoo to help clean it. Frequent bathing is not suggested, as this could strip your Bassador of its natural oils and cause dermatitis. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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