Basselier

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Breed Details

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Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Basselier is the offspring of a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a purebred Basset Hound. Characteristics and personality points of both breeds may appear in different ratios in the offspring, or one parent's traits may entirely be dominant in the offspring.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an English breed, developed from the King Charles Spaniel to restore some of the breed's original appearance, such as a longer muzzle and less protruding eyes (the King Charles Spaniel was interbred with brachycephalic breeds in the 17th century). As a lap dog, it is one of the most popular breeds in the United Kingdom and Australia, and is also on the rise in the United States.

The Basset Hound is an excellent scenthound, long in body and low tot he ground, and docile enough to be valued as a family dog as well. A breed developed in France, it is distinguished by its pendant ears, which actually traps scent particles for it to follow, and loose skin around the face and neck, which gives its eyes a droopy and appealing look.

Color

The Basselier's colors are hound colors, usually tricolors with black or brown over white with tan markings, Blenheim, solid ruby, and black and tan. Blenheim is a color combination named after the Blenheim Palace of the 1st Duke of Marlborough, who maintained a pack of Basset hounds of a rich chestnut shade over white.

Coat

The coat is either short and smooth, or medium to long. A slight wave is common, and permitted in shows. A longer coat is silky to the touch.

Personality

The Basselier is a sweet and gently affectionate dog that can be a companion for people of all ages. It is patient with children and sturdy enough to play with them. For adults and older people, it offers a playful and eager-to-please demeanor, and a touching need to be always near people. It is confident enough to be sociable with other people and dogs as well, and will cohabit peacefully with dogs of any size. Smaller pets, especially birds and rodent-types, might excite the basselier's hunting instinct, though, and these should either have been raised and sufficiently socialized with it, or kept away altogether. Used as it is to human presence and being petted, the Basselier will not be any better for being left alone too often. It can get quite barky when upset and lonely.

Care

Coat care will require twice or thrice-weekly brushing to aid in shedding, which can be average, and to keep the coat clean and shiny. A bathe will be necessary only when a doggy smell is noticeable. The long ears will need special care, as they can be a breeding ground for infections and parasites. They should always be kept dry and clean.

Training

The Basselier is intelligent and trainable, but it is this intelligence and its origins as a hunting dog that can sometimes lead to stubbornness and intractability. A positive, reward-oriented training will work best for the Basselier, which is a sensitive dog and will react badly to harsh or overly restrictive measures.

Activity

The Basselier could turn out heavy for its size, as with its Basset Hound parent, and a good exercise regimen is recommended to ward off excess weight. If it is short-legged as well, jumping from high places should be avoided, as this can lead to injury in the legs, knees or hips. A small living space is not a problem for the Basselier, but it needs to be taken out for walks or jogs, to indulge its urge to wander. A leash is recommended, for sudden chases.