Lha-Basset -- Lhassa Apso X Basset Hound

		Lha-Basset
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Tibet <> Great Britain -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Lha-Basset

The Lha-Basset is a mix of the Basset Hound and the Lhassa Apso and is generally medium-sized at around 33 centimeters in height and weighing around 18 kilos on average. They are small but heavy like the Basset Hound, and can have either a short, hard coat or a long, silky coat of medium density. They generally have long, hanging ears, a stocky body and short legs with a tail that curls over the back. The Lha-Basset is loyal and intelligent with a strong desire to please, so it's easy to train.

History of the Lha-Basset

Your Lha-Basset doesn't have much of a history yet, since it's a new breed. However, you can consult the histories of the Basset Hound and the Lhassa Apso to determine their origins.

	A little of the Lhassa Apso
	Buddhist monks living in the Tibetan mountains developed the Lhassa Apso as a sentinel for temples and monasteries. Some believe the dogs are descended from Tibetan Terriers, while others think the breed may have been influenced by dogs from the North. After studying the breed's DNA, it seems that one of the Lhassa Apso's ancestors could be a type of mountain wolf. The breed was developed to withstand cold temperatures, and their judgment helped them determine whether someone approaching was friend or foe. Dogs of the breed were never sold, although the Dalai Lamas occasionally gave a pair to imperial families and visiting dignitaries. In 1933, the breed arrived in the United States when the 13th Dalai Lama presented a group of small dogs to Mr. and Mrs. Suydam Cutting. The beginning of the breed in the USA came from these dogs, and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1935.

	Standard of the Lhassa Apso
	A little of the Basset Hound
	The Basset Hound, also known as the Hush Puppy, originated in France in the 1500s as a scent hound used to hunt rabbits and other prey. These dogs were bred by French abbey brothers from Basset Normand, Basset d'Artois and other short-legged dogs. Their name, Basset, means “low thing” in French, in reference to the breed's short legs. They were bred to be short to make them easier to follow when hunting. According to some, once they arrived in the United States, they were crossed with the Bloodhound to make them taller. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Basset Hound in 1935, and they are now the 39th most famous dog breed in America.

	Standard of the Basset Hound

Appearance of the Lha-Basset

Your Lha-Basset should have a long muzzle with a black nose that can smell just about anything, and big, moving brown eyes. They may have a long, silky coat or a short, rough coat, depending on parentage, but either coat will be dense and straight. Their short legs are strong and muscular, with large paws, long floppy ears and a curved tail that may or may not be hairy. Most Lha-Bassets are multicolored like the Basset Hound and can be black and brown, black and cream, red and white, brown and white, blue, gray, fawn, white, sable, brindle, and just about any other color combination.

Temperament of the Lha-Basset

The Lha-Basset is an excellent pet that gets along well with everyone, but should be supervised with young children under 5. They can make fun of children if they are too teased or disturbed. They make good watchdogs as they'll let you know when there are strangers around with their loud bark. Although they love to play, they also sometimes like to be left alone and generally don't have separation anxiety problems. The Lha-Basset is an intelligent, fast learner who should be easy to train as long as you start early.

Needs and activities of the Lha-Basset

The Lha-Basset can be a lazy dog who just wants to lie around the house, but it needs at least 30 to 45 minutes of exercise a day to stay healthy and prevent obesity. They are excellent scent dogs and can be taught to hunt or take part in scent competitions such as the American Canine Scent sports competition. Other interesting activities for Lha-Basset include visits to the dog park, walks around the neighborhood, playing fetch or catch, swimming, hiking and even agility training. If your Lha-Basset doesn't get enough exercise, it can become bored or anxious and develop behavioral problems.

Maintenance of the Lha-Basset

The amount of maintenance your Lha-Basset needs depends on the coat it ends up with. If he has a short, rough coat, you can usually brush him with a smooth brush once or twice a week. However, if he has a long, silky coat, you'll need to brush and comb it carefully at least every other day to keep it from matting. They only need to be bathed when absolutely necessary, as this dries out their skin. You should also clean his ears with moistened absorbent cotton once a week and look for any signs of redness or irritation. In addition, clip his nails when you hear them click on the floor, and brush his teeth several times a week to prevent dental disease.