Dog
Pronunciation:
huhsh bas-it
Breed Description:
The Hush Basset breed of dog is a medium sized breed that was developed by crossing the Cocker Spaniel with the Basset Hound. The dog has a slightly elongated body of the Basset Hound and the short legs. They are usually longer than they are tall and they have the distinct domed head and long ears of the Basset Hound. They usually have a long tail and they do not have the jowls and droopy eyes that are common in the Basset Hound.
The coat of the Hush Basset can range in length and texture depending on the parent the puppy takes after. Some dogs can have the short, slick coat of the Basset Hound with or without longer hair on the tail and ears. Others will have the fluffy, soft coat that is long and thick with feathering on the tail, chest and ears, that is common with the Cocker Spaniel. Colors for the Hush Basset can be bi-color, parti-color, tri-color, merle, particularly blue merle, spotted or solid. They can be found in black, lemon, black and tan, tan, white, chestnut or red either as a solid or in any combination of patterns.
Temperament:
The Hush Basset breed of dog is a gentle and affectionate breed. They are known for having sweet dispositions and they usually get along well with everyone. They are very gentle and patient with children and can fit in nicely with any family, regardless of the age of the children. They tend to be very loyal and dote on everyone that they know. The Hush Basset is an excellent breed for multi-dog families since they get along well with other animals, however, some care should be taken with smaller pets since the breed can have a high prey drive and may chase cats and other small animals.
Height:
The average height of a Hush Basset is between 11 to 15 inches, although they tend to stay on the small size.
Weight:
The average weight of a Hush Basset is between 15 to 55 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Hush Basset breed of dog has no known health problems, however, it is important to read up on both the Basset Hound and the Cocker Spaniel to be aware of the health problems your puppy may be at risk for.
Living Conditions:
The Hush Basset breed of dog is better suited to life in a home with a small, fenced yard. It is very important that you have a fenced yard for your Hush Basset because they may wander away after something interesting. They can live in apartments, but they tend to bark a lot and can disturb neighbors.
Exercise:
The Hush Basset breed of dog does require a fair amount of exercise, despite looking like they don't. Expect between 30 to 45 minutes of exercise per day. Generally, Hush Bassets cannot swim because of their short legs so walks and other non-swimming activities is better for them. In addition, a Hush Basset should never be walked without a leash since they will chase after "prey" animals if they catch a scent.
Life Expectancy:
10 to 15 years
Grooming:
The Hush Basset breed of dog can be easy to care for if they have the short Basset Hound coat and will only need to be brushed once a week and bathed whenever it is necessary, usually once or twice every few months. However, if they have the Cocker Spaniel coat, the Hush Basset will need to be brushed on a daily basis and will need to be bathed two or three times per month. Regardless of the coat, special care should be taken in keeping the ears clean and dry since the breed can be prone to ear infections.
Origin:
The Hush Basset is a designer `hybrid`breed that has become popular over the last decade or so. There is no actual origin for the breed and if you are interested in learning more about the Hush Basset, it is important to read up on both the Basset Hound and the Cocker Spaniel. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
