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Basset Shepherd |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> Germany -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen | |
This breed is also known as |
Shepherd Hound |
A brief presentation of the Basset Shepherd |
| The Basset Shepherd is a mix of the Basset Hound and German Shepherd breeds. Since both parent breeds are highly intelligent, it's safe to say that the Basset Shepherd is also a very alert and intelligent dog. Because German Shepherds and Basset Hounds tend to shed frequently, be prepared to groom your Basset Shepherd weekly to keep the hair down. In addition to this, frequent exercise will also be necessary as the Basset Shepherd has parent breeds that are of higher energy and strongly determined to work. If left to his own devices, your Basset Shepherd may take after his parents and become a little destructive out of boredom. All in all, the Basset Shepherd is a loyal, friendly and intelligent breed, suitable for humans and animals of all ages. |
History of the Basset Shepherd |
| Because the Basset Shepherd is such a new breed, there isn't much documented information on its history. However, we do have a fair amount of information on its parent breeds. |
A little of the Basset Hound |
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| The Basset Hound is a breed that has been used for generations as a hunting dog. This particular breed originated in France around the 7th century and was introduced to the USA in the early 19th century. It may come as a surprise that these medium-sized, soft-eared dogs were used for hunting, but thanks to their incredible sense of smell, they were quite good at it. Bassets became well known after being used in a campaign for Hush Puppy shoes, and have become more popular ever since. Used as hunters and companion dogs, the Basset Hound is a clumsy, stubborn breed with a strong sense of loyalty. | ||
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| Standard of the Basset Hound | ||
A little of the German Shepherd Dog |
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| The German Shepherd is a breed that developed in Germany in the 19th century as a military and police dog. Adaptable and intelligent, the German Shepherd soon gained worldwide popularity and was registered by the American Kennel Club in 1912. Although the breed declined slightly during the First World War due to its association with the enemy at the time, they rebounded without too much effort after the war thanks to a particular German Shepherd named Rin Tin Tin who was featured in films. The German Shepherd became the most popular breed in the USA for some time. | ||
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| Standard of the German Shepherd Dog |
Appearance of the Basset Shepherd |
| Basset Shepherds will reflect the traits of both parent breeds. For example, while the Basset Shepherd has the body type of the Basset hound, with shorter legs and a long body, it tends to have the colors and facial features of the German Shepherd. Soft ears shorter than the Basset Hound frame the breed's pointed muzzle, and its dark brown eyes are lively and full of intelligence. While German Shepherds can weigh up to 41 kilos, a typical Basset Shepherd will weigh 34 kilos at most. This breed stands at around 30.5 to 51 centimeters at the withers, and generally takes after the short-legged Basset Hound. The Basset Shepherd's color patterns mimic those of a German Shepherd: dark muzzle, brown eyes and tan body with a black blanket covering the back. |
Temperament of the Basset Shepherd |
| By combining the personalities of two different dogs, you're sure to get a wide range of traits in the new breed. This also means that it's difficult to determine exactly how your dog will behave. However, when it comes to the Basset Shepherd, the usual behavior tends to be a calm, courageous and affectionate dog, easily trainable and ideal for children of all ages. These good traits are due to the intelligence of both breeds and the gentle disposition each possesses. While the Basset Hound can be a little stubborn and is known to be a good guard and hunting dog, it is generally very temperate and non-aggressive. The German Shepherd is confident and fearless, with a good temperament and easy trainability. It's important to remember that, whatever the breed, when getting a new dog, early socialization is everything. By allowing your dog to spend plenty of time with other animals and people, you'll help him become his best self. Overall, the Basset Shepherd is a great dog with an easygoing personality that's ready to please, ideal for any family and novice dog owner. |
Needs and activities of the Basset Shepherd |
| There's no doubt that with a history as a hunting and working dog, the Basset Shepherd has high energy levels and requires a decent amount of exercise per day. The Basset Hound has been used as a hunting companion for generations, and although a more laid-back character, the Basset is still very energetic and needs to release it productively. The German Shepherd, although more energetic, is just like the Basset Hound in that it is a working breed and requires exercise to maintain its productive energy consumption. There are many ways to get your dog the exercise he needs, from training, jogging, long walks, dog parks, hiking and more. Whatever works best for you, make sure you spend quality active time with your Basset Shepherd. While they make excellent companion dogs, a lack of exercise can make them destructive and even overweight. Because they have high to very high energy levels, take the time to exercise your pet properly to maintain good behavior and overall health. |
Maintenance of the Basset Shepherd |
| As with any dog breed, general maintenance is very important to keep your pet fit and beautiful. Because both of the Basset Shepherd's parent breeds tend to shed moderately to heavily, be prepared to groom your dog often to keep shedding to a manageable level. You may want to brush your Basset Shepherd at least twice a week with a rubber brush, and bathe him if necessary. In addition to regular brushing, be sure to clean your dog's ears often. With folded ears, extra moisture and foreign bodies can get caught in the ears, leading to infection and irritation. Always dry ears thoroughly after cleaning or bathing. Nails should be trimmed every few weeks or so to keep feet healthy. If you can hear your dog's nails clicking against the ground as he walks, it's time for a trim. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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