The Bassador or Hound Lab Mix is a unique hybrid of Basset Hounds and Labrador Retrievers. The distinct characteristics of each breed, when combined together are long-bodied, medium sized dog with prominent long, droopy ears.
Bassador Hound Lab mix
The lab hound mix is a mixed breed dog that’s easy to tell apart when it is with a pack – just look for the one with a mid-length snout, a medium-length tail, and hefty, sturdy legs.
Bassador Mixed Dog Breed Characteristics:
Lab hound mixes generally weigh from 45 to 70 pounds at maximum, with a height ranging from 13 to 20 inches, owing to the combination of their small Basset Hound gene and robust Labrador Retriever DNAs.
With proper training and nutrition, a Bassador is expected to live a full 10-12 year life span, which fares equally with the average life expectancy of other dog breeds.
To give you a better idea as to what a Bassador dog breed is, first thing to keep in mind is that it is not a purebred dog as it is a mix between a Basset Hound and Labrador Retriever.
Think of a lab hound mix as the cross between a Beagle Lab and a Basset Hound, but sprinkle a good amount of Labrador Retriever – and you get quite the furry hound lab mix package.
Due to the unique nature of the breed dog combination, Bassador Hound Lab mixes are playful yet protective, gentle yet assertive, affectionate yet brave.
You get the industrious trait of a Labrador Retriever and take the energetic gene of the Basset Hound, and you get this mixed dog breed.
Lab Hound mix – size and physical traits
While the Basset Hound Lab mix is not recognized as ‘official’ by the American Kennel Club, the lab hound mix have characteristics of their own.
They have specific physical traits and temperaments that make them recognizable from other pure breeds and mixed breed dogs.
When it comes to size, hound lab mixes are considered to be medium to large-sized dogs, thanks to their Labrador Retriever genetics.
The size of lab hound mixes allows them to socialize with kids and adults alike without the fear of being injured by a gargantuan weight. A lab hound mix is quite the energy ball, too, so prepare to tire yourself out.
That said, lab hound mixes are not so tall in terms of height with only 13 to 20 inches as the average length.
Not so tall like Great Danes and perhaps not as cute like Shih Tzus, but a hound lab mix is just the right amount of furry package for most.
If you want a pet to cuddle and play with, at the same time a dog that would keep you out of harm’s way.
On very certain occasions when lab hound mix breeders really put their efforts in, one can find ‘toy’ Bassadors and ‘super-sized’ ones that exceed the size of a medium sized dog.
Quite a thing to imagine to have a small-bodied Labrador Retriever, but it is possible with the right genetic mix.
So, the next time you are looking for a lab hound mix to take home with you, it’s worth taking a look at the sizes of both the Basset Hound and Labrador Retriever parents which are the dame and sire of your mixed dog breed.
The DNA of the Lab parent and the Basset Hound parent would certainly show in your lab hound mix.
Basset Hound
Known for their ability to detect the ground scents of hare, Basset Hounds were originally bred to hunt on such prey.
They have recognizable long, floppy ears and short, crooked legs – such physical characteristics enabling them to catch a quick, jumping hare.
In terms of temperament, they are known to be friendly, easygoing, and fairly easy to associate with other pets.
They are best with young kids because of their playful nature and they are also like absorbent sponges when it comes to training.
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are sturdy, hefty, and reliable. Their build makes them ideal as service dogs, working dogs, and assistance dogs.
They are distinctly muscular and athletic dogs with really high energies which requires more physical activity to keep them fit and active.
Labrador Retrievers are known for their intelligence so it is best to keep them busy and occupied with mind and body activities to sharpen their cognitive abilities.
They are bred to be of service to people – as a guide dog to disabled persons, as assistance and emotional dogs in hospitals, or as working dogs for fisherman and hunters.
Despite the serious nature of Labrador Retrievers, they could put their guards down too and make the best pets at home when all you want is a ball of fur.
Basset Hound Lab mix appearance
In terms of their physical appearance, lab hound mixes have long bodies, medium-sized snouts, and big, flopped-over ears that are sure to warm your heart.
Coloration includes white, brown, yellow, and black primarily, and they have short but very dense coats – so invest in a good doggy brush for your very well loved lab hound mix.
Important note: lab hound mixes are big shedders. They have to be groomed constantly, most especially in their shedding seasons.
This makes lab hound mixes quite the high maintenance breed but this should not deter you from loving them any less.
Lab Hound mix character and temperament
Alab hound mix’s personality is a hard thing to quantify, which is part of the fun with this interesting and uncommon breed.
As the lab hound mix is a product of two very different dogs, you can get different character traits, such as a Basset Hound’s calm ‘matter-of-fact’ stubborn streak right along with a Labrador’s tendency to charge into play and trouble with equal aplomb.
Both breeds like to hunt, so your lab hound mix will love chasing games, and both are quite friendly – extra so if they’ve inherited that from the Lab side, and occasionally extra protective from the Basset side.
Every lab hound mix is going to be quite unique and if you have more than one, expect to have different and varying personality traits, sometimes like night and day!
A lab hound mix as a pet will certainly not bore you for days on end for they have many tricks on their sleeve.
None of these traits are bad which makes the lab hound mix a breed not to fret about, just in case you’re worried, although the stubborn part of a lab hound mix may grate you from time to time.
The overprotective tendencies from the Basset hound side are also easily managed with a little broadening of your lab hound mix’s social horizons – especially if done at a young age.
This is why it is important to have the patience needed when training a lab hound mix puppy from the time they reach the age of socialization – they need to be trained when to act assertive, when to protect, when to play, and most importantly, their ability to obey commands.
You could enroll your lab hound mix puppy to kindergarten class, too, if you are feeling a little extra!
Grooming and health considerations
Lab hound mixes can shed quite a lot, especially if they’ve gotten a lot of their coat DNA from the Labrador Retriever side. Brushing 3 to 4 times every week is a good idea and give your lab hound mix a bath every 3 months at the very least.
If you want to bathe your lab hound mix more, then stick to giving them a good bath once or twice every week so that you don’t remove any of their coat’s essential oils, at the same time making them extra cuddly and lovable by smelling their very best.
As far as health considerations are considered, the genetics of the lab hound mix come from both sides of the family, and include the following conditions:
● Back problems
● Hip Dysplasia
● Intervertebral disc disease
● Glaucoma
● Bloat (Gastric torsion)
Every breed has their own health issues, of course, so don’t let these things worry you much, as long as you are taking your lab hound mix to the vet at least twice a year.
This will help you to quickly identify serious health conditions and start treatment if any symptoms occur.
Just like any dog, good nutrition and an active lifestyle would do the trick for a lab hound mix.
This mixed breed requires every owner to be serious in terms of their physical activity so they don’t get adverse temperament reactions which would lead to serious medical conditions connected with stress and boredom.
Along with this, make sure that you give your lab hound the yearly shots and vaccines they need to keep them protected from unwanted viruses, and to also keep you and your family safe.
The odds are, your little lab hound mix – or your big one, at that – will be just fine, but we would be remiss if we didn’t share with you the conditions which these lab hound mixes are prone to.
In closing
Playful, protective, and full of love, these lab hound mix dogs are quite the little characters.
Like furry little people, the personalities of a lab hound mix can vary quite a bit, but with socialization training and a loving home, they’ll be sure to steal your heart.
Just don’t forget to give your lab hound mix a regular brushing and a trip to the vet at least twice a year for a sure shot of peak health.
With a little luck and a lot of love, you’ll have plenty of wonderful years to share with your furry best friend!
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