A cute and adorable dog to have around, the Beagle-Basset Hound is a companion for life. DogAppy shares some interesting information on this naughty hybrid dog breed.
I Follow My Nose!
In the literal sense, the Beagle-Basset Hounds have a strong sense of scent and need a lot of room to follow this passion. They are not recommended for apartments, as they can get noisy and playful. A house with a fenced backyard can be ideal for them.
The Beagle-Basset Hound is a hybrid dog and not a pure breed. They belong to the hound family, and hence, have keen hunting abilities. Their bounding energy will keep you busy, and they need to be contained as they are likely to wander off behind a potential hunt target.
The mention of Beagles as pets dates back to 15th century England. During the 18th century, Beagles were popularly used for fox hunting. In the 19th century, Basset hounds from France were crossed with Beagles from England. The finest dogs were chosen from dog shows to produce the kind of breed we have today. People still use Beagle hounds for rabbit hunting.
Appearance
Being a cross of both the Beagle and Basset Hound, the Beagle-Basset Hound shares the genetic combination of a short, smooth coat and hound coloring. It has a big skull, long ears and square muzzle with droopy eyes. The back is long and the feet are short like a Basset Hound. Since they are a mix breed, determining their color pattern can be difficult. They come in wide range of colors, most popular being black, brown and white.
Weight, Height, and Life Expectancy
Being a hybrid, the weight and height depends on the parent dogs. Usually, they weigh between 33-55 pounds and are 12-17 inches tall. Their life expectancy is around 10-15 years.
Temperament
Playful, very mischievous, curious and friendly, they are ideal family dogs. Abounding in energy to play tricks and games, they love to stay outdoors most of the time. Ideal mates for long walks and short treks, they can walk for miles without getting tired. You need to be careful with them as they love to hunt or chase squirrels and rabbits, a home with a secure fence will be ideal for them. Although being intelligent and smart, they tend to be lazy and stubborn as well. They may occasionally exhibit a tendency towards escaping outdoors.
Around Children and Other Pets
They are best companion for kids as they love to play and stay active. One of the best breeds that gets along well with cats, Beagle-Bassets are fairly mild and nonviolent in the presence of cats.
Grooming and Health
They are generally very healthy and are very outdoorsy, so keep them clean by regular bathing and checking of ticks and insects. Also, you need to keep a check on cuts and sprains during their outdoor activity. As they have large ears, clean the ears regularly to avoid ear infections. They shed hair, hence brushing them regularly is necessary. They may be prone to epilepsy, hypothyroidism, and certain eye problems along with arthritis, hip and elbow dysplasia, and skin problems.
Training and Exercise
They are lazy and stubborn, and so, toilet training them may seem a bit difficult. They can be restless and chew, scratch, and mess around the house, hence start their training early during the puppy stage. They possess boundless energy which should be utilized by playing outdoor games and activities, for e.g., fetch ball. Make sure you leash them while out on a stroll as they tend to run around a lot. They are intelligent and sensible but require a bit of discipline to be trained.
For those searching for a loyal, lifelong companion who can entertain you with their mischievous antics and keep you on your toes, the Beagle-Basset Hound is an excellent choice as a pet.