Basset Shepherd – Owner’s Guide

Reviewed By Kim •  Updated: 01/05/23 •  6 min read
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Basset Shepherd

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What happens when you’re ready to adopt a dog, and you’re caught between two dog breeds, like the Basset Hound and the German Shepherd? That’s a quandary hard to overcome! So, which dog breed go you choose?

Well, in this case, it may be possible to find a dog that fits both breeds! Have you ever heard of the Basset Shepherd? If not, you’re in for a treat!

We’ve gathered information about the Basset Shepherd for this article. You’ll learn about the background of these dogs, what they look like, their personalities, and more. Let’s get started!

What is a Basset Shepherd?

The Basset Shepherd is a hybrid mix between a Basset Hound and a German Shepherd. Some breeders do a 50/50 first-generation mix, while others may produce multi-generation mixes of the Basset Shepherd.

These are hybrid dogs that take on the physical characteristics of both parents. However, their looks and personalities will vary. It all depends on the genes inherited from their parents. Puppies of the same litter may vary greatly in their appearance and more.

We don’t know very much about the history of the Basset Shepherd, but we can learn more about these dogs by taking a quick overview of both parents.

The Basset Hound

The Basset Hound originally came from France, where they were developed for hunting. These dogs are famous for their short legs and long bodies, with heavy bones and muscular bodies. These are hound dogs, and they hunt primarily by scent.

These dogs have short, smooth, hard-textured fur coats that are pretty easy to care for. Many Basset Hounds come in the famous tri-color of black, tan, and white; however, they also come in other colors.

Basset Hounds make great family companions; they love to be with their families most of the time. These are dogs that don’t do well when left alone for long periods.

The German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is a dog breed that goes back to about 1899, making this a fairly new dog breed. These dogs were originally developed in Germany to be herding dogs. German Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs that can be taught to do many other jobs, including leading the blind, serving in the military or police, visiting the sick, and so much more. These dogs love to have a job to do.

These are high-energy dogs that need plenty of daily exercise. Otherwise, they become bored and may develop unwanted habits, such as barking, chewing, and more. German Shepherds make great watchdogs as they’re very wary of strangers. And they can make wonderful family companions if they’ve been trained and socialized from a young age.

With parents like these, how could the Basset Shepherd go wrong?

The Basset Shepherd usually stands between 12 to 20 inches tall and weighs 50 to 75 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years.

Basset Shepherd Temperament

Basset Shepherds are usually pretty friendly dogs that make excellent companions. They’re loving and loyal dogs that want to be with their humans. The dogs are also very protective of their families and property.

If you’re looking for an intelligent dog breed, this one fits the bill! The dogs are highly intelligent and responsive to their pet parents. They’re also eager to please. However, these dogs do best with experienced pet parents who can establish themselves as the leader of the family. Otherwise, this is a dog who will gladly fill that role.

Are Basset Shepherds Good Family Companions?

Yes! These dogs are very friendly and love to be with kids. They love their families and make friends of almost everyone.

However, it’s essential to understand that these dogs don’t do well, left alone for long periods. They can develop separation anxiety pretty quickly. So, the dogs are best for families where someone is with them most of the day or families that have rotating shifts. It’s important that someone is with the Basset Shepherd most of the time.

Do Basset Shepherds Get Along with Other pets?

Yes, these dogs are usually pretty friendly with other pets, including dogs and cats. However, Basset Shepherds may have a moderate prey drive. So, this may not be the right dog for you if you have small pets at home.

These dogs seem to get along well with cats! The Basset Shepherd will play with the cat and see their feline sibling as a family member and love them, too.

Basset Shepherd Food Requirements

The Basset Shepherd needs about two to three cups of food a day, depending on the dog’s size and activity levels. Their food should be divided into two meals a day.

Bear in mind that these dogs have a tendency to gain weight and become obese. For this reason, it’s not possible to free-free a Basset Shepherd. And it’s essential to ensure your fur baby gets the right amount of food and not too much to keep him from gaining weight.

Exercise Requirements

Basset Shepherds are high-energy working dogs, and they need plenty of exercise every day. Expect to spend about an hour a day (or more) exercising your fur baby. These dogs love to play, go for walks, and more.

The dogs also need mental stimulation, so getting your dog treat puzzles and other games will keep him happy and engaged without getting bored!

Training

The Basset Shepherd is considered a dog breed that’s easy to train. However, these dogs can be independent thinkers, so they’re best suited for experienced pet parents.

The dogs learn quickly and easily; they respond best to positive reinforcement training methods.

Grooming

Basset Shepherds have medium-length, double coats. They do shed quite a bit. For this reason, it’s a good idea to brush your dog daily. This keeps the dog’s coat in excellent shape and controls shedding.

When it comes to bathing, these dogs only need a bath once a month or when they become dirty and stinky.

Summing It Up

The Basset Shepherd is a hybrid mixed dog that’s a combination of the Basset Hound and the German Shepherd. These dogs are highly intelligent, somewhat independent, and make wonderful family companions. These dogs are best for experienced pet parents and are eager to please.

We’re pretty sure if you adopt a Basset Shepherd, you’ll be in for many years of fun and loving companionship!

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Kim

Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.

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