adopting a bassador puppy

[lv4dogs]

Are you adopting a mix from the shelter or is this dog coming from a breeder?

By what you described about your lifestyle & the like it seems as if a basset may not be the best choice. But a mix could be.

Have you seen the puppy? How old is it?

[k muench]

Are you adopting a mix from the shelter or is this dog coming from a breeder?

By what you described about your lifestyle & the like it seems as if a basset may not be the best choice. But a mix could be.

Have you seen the puppy? How old is it?

He is a mix of lab and basset, and is available @ the local animal shelter. I haven't visited him yet (on purpose -- don't want to let emotion get in the way!), but will see him today. I understand the obedience thing, but "having a scent hound x retriever instinct to hunt and explore could be too much for an offlead area" is exactly what I am concerned about. Obviously some mutts are harder/or impossible to get trained to an acceptable level.

[JenBKR]

Whew, glad to hear that you are looking at this pup from a shelter, not a breeder. I can't give much advice as I don't know enough of Bassett characteristics - but I would love to see a picture. Let us know how the visit goes!

[lv4dogs]

He is a mix of lab and basset, and is available @ the local animal shelter. I haven't visited him yet (on purpose -- don't want to let emotion get in the way!), but will see him today. I understand the obedience thing, but "having a scent hound x retriever instinct to hunt and explore could be too much for an offlead area" is exactly what I am concerned about. Obviously some mutts are harder/or impossible to get trained to an acceptable level.

I'd say go & see him. Some shelters don't know the exact parentage & sometiems are wrong about the breeds that he may be mixed with. You never know.

I am so glad to hear that this is not a "new designer breed" bred on purpose. Gosh those breeders make me so mad.

Good luck!

[IRescue452]

I think he'll be more independent, but not to worry. Hounds are smart, but not obedient. They are bred to find game and wait for the hunter or bring it to the hunter, they are sent off to work on their own. Only a smart dog can do that. They work with people, but not next to them. I think what you have to worry about is keeping the weight off, a labradors ability to put on weight mixed with a bassets short legs could be an issue.

[flipgirl]

He is a mix of lab and basset, and is available @ the local animal shelter. I haven't visited him yet (on purpose -- don't want to let emotion get in the way!), but will see him today. I understand the obedience thing, but "having a scent hound x retriever instinct to hunt and explore could be too much for an offlead area" is exactly what I am concerned about. Obviously some mutts are harder/or impossible to get trained to an acceptable level.

I have read that if the dog looks more like one of the breeds, its characteristics are like that breed. In my case, it's true. My dog is a Shih-tzu x Bichon and she looks like a Bichon. She has all the Bichon characteristics - lively, happy, friendly, likes to bark etc. But my dog isn't a great example as both breeds are quite similar in terms of temperament. But if it's more lab, then maybe the scent hound won't be as much of a problem as you think.