What do you get when you mix two things with opposite characteristics? The logical guess is a 50-50 combination of those two things. A less logical prediction is that the result is something unexpected and/or unusual.
Curiously, this “Surprise me!” outcome is what you get when you mix a Pitbull with a Basset Hound. Can you already imagine why mixing these two breeds produces a peculiar and rare litter of puppies?
If you have no clue or want to find more about the surprises of a Pitbull Basset Hound mix, read on to know if this dog is the right mix for you.
What Is a Basset Hound Pitbull Mix?
A Basset Hound Pitbull mix is, as the name implies, a crossbreed of a Pitbull and a Basset Hound. Since this is a hybrid, many established kennel organizations like the American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club do not consider this as an official breed.
Although it’s commonly held that crossbreeding eliminates genetic disorders often seen in purebreds, mixing the Basset Hound with the Pitbull produces a hybrid dog with physical traits and temperament that are not easily predictable.
This means that with a litter of Basset Hound Pitbull puppies, you never know exactly what you’re going to get! And this is one appealing aspect of the Basset Hound Pitbull mix.
History and Origin: Where Does the Basset Hound Pitbull Mix Come From?
There doesn’t seem to be an authoritative account of the first-ever Basset Hound Pitbull puppy or who first bred them, when, and where. This mixed breed’s history and origin is a bit of a mystery.
However, we can still learn a lot about the Pitbull Basset Hound mix by knowing where their parents’ originated from and the histories of their breeds.
To clarify, the Pitbull is not a breed but an umbrella term encompassing four different breeds descended from terriers and bulldogs – the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bully.
The Pitbull is perhaps the most demonized dog. This is, of course, an unfair reputation partly caused by the media’s sensationalizing portrayal of Pitbulls as dangerous killer dogs.
The Pitbull’s history and origin is another reason why they are feared by those who don’t take the time to understand them.
Pitbulls were originally bred in 19th-century England for hunting and were used for the cruel bloodsport called “bull-baiting.”
When this practice was later made illegal, Pitbulls were used for “ratting” in which the dogs and rats were put in an enclosed pit to see which dog kills the most rats in the shortest time. Hence, the name Pitbull.
In the past decades, the appeal and popularity of illegal dogfighting involving Pitbulls made irresponsible breeders train and condition Pitbulls to have vicious temperaments. To make matters worse, violent attacks on people by Pitbulls trained to be aggressive were widely publicized.
On the other hand, Basset Hounds’ origin is traced to 6th-century France and they’re likely from a genetic mutation of the St. Hubert hounds.
This genetic deviation resulted in a dwarfed, short-legged dog that’s slower moving. These traits, combined with their endurance, make Bassets great hunting dogs for small game such as rabbits and hare.
In contrast to Pitbulls, Basset Hounds have a very favorable reputation from dog lovers and non-dog lovers alike all over the world.
They are one of the all-time favorite breeds. Their soulful eyes, big ears, small stature, and mild temperament instantly create that “aww!” reaction in people.
Pitbull Basset Hound Mix Appearance: What Does the Pitbull Basset Hound Mix Look Like?
As individual breeds, the Pitbull and the Basset Hound both have short coats and compact bodies but the rest of their appearance are quite distinct from each other.
A Pitbull Basset Hound mix can take after one parent more than the other or can be a unique mix of their characteristics.
Because of the very marked features of the Basset Hound, the Pitbull Basset Hound mix usually looks closer to that of a Pitbull than a Basset Hound.
To help you visualize, take a look at these Pitbull Basset Hound puppies playing in the grass:
Pitbull x Basset hound mix puppies<a href="https://youtu.be/uK0Ny4-pgS0" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FuK0Ny4-pgS0%2F0.jpg" alt="Pitbull x Basset hound mix puppies" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
And here is a one-year-old Wallie, a Basset Hound American Pit Bull Terrier mix:
Wallie, a 1-year-old Basset Hound/American Pit Bull Terrier mix available for adoption.<a href="https://youtu.be/zHjJhF2FDH4" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FzHjJhF2FDH4%2F0.jpg" alt="Wallie, a 1-year-old Basset Hound/American Pit Bull Terrier mix available for adoption." width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Generally, a Pitbull Basset Hound mix has shorter legs, a longer face, and an elongated body. One distinct physical trait of this hybrid dog is the inward-facing ankles of their front paws. When this characteristic is present, you’re most probably looking at a Pitbull Basset Hound mix.
How Big Do Basset Hound Pitbull Mixes Get When Fully Grown?
As mentioned beforehand, there’s no telling exactly what you’ll get with a Basset Hound Pitbull puppy. This unpredictability also applies to how big they can get when they mature.
However, we can deduce and approximate this based on the parent breeds’ weight and height ranges as fully grown dogs. Thus, a fully grown Basset Hound Pitbull mix can weigh from 40 to 60 pounds and can reach a height of 15 to 17 inches.
Basset Hound Pitbull Mix Temperament: Do They Make Good Family Dogs?
What happens when you mix the Basset Hound’s charming, patient and low-key temperament with the Pitbull’s confident, smart and good-natured one? A potentially good dog for the family.
Since both the Basset Hound and the Pitbull love being around people, a hybrid of these two can be a good family pet.
Early socialization and proper training are important for any dog breed but more so for a Pitbull mix as Pitbulls have shown aggressive tendencies towards other dogs.
Every dog, whether purebred or mixed, has its own personality after all. Before adopting or buying a Basset Hound Pitbull puppy, it’s a good idea to first get to know the dog or the puppy’s parents to gauge if the dog or puppy’s temperament can fit well in your life.
Basset Hound Pitbull Mix Lifespan and Health Issues: Are They Healthy Dogs?
Photo from @elliotthepittie (IG)
The Basset Hound has a life expectancy of 12-13 years while the Pitbull has 12-16 years, so the Basset Hound Pitbull mix is likely to have a lifespan somewhere between 12-16 years.
Since crossbreeds also tend to be healthier than purebreds, there’s a good chance that Basset Hound Pitbull dogs live longer.
Being a hybrid dog, the Basset Hound Pitbull mix can also inherit the known health conditions of its parents particularly those seen in both breeds.
Here’s the list of health condition to look out for if you’re planning to have a Basset Hound Pitbull mix:
Hip Dysplasia: This is a common skeletal problem in dogs involving the abnormal development of the ball and socket of the hip, which leads to eventual hip joint deterioration and loss of function.
Cardiac Disease: Cardiac disease can be congenital or acquired, causing problems in the dog’s heart or blood vessels.
Cerebellar Ataxia: This is the premature decline of the cerebellum impairing the dog’s muscle coordination and ability to balance.
Skin and Coat Allergies: These make the dog’s skin itchy, commonly affecting the feet, belly, folds of the skin, and ears.
Osteochondrodysplasia: Osteochondrodysplasia is the abnormal growth or development of cartilage and bone prone in dogs with a tendency towards dwarfism like the Basset Hound.
Bleeding Disorders: Dogs affected can have nosebleeds, tiny purplish-red spots, and bleeding gums.
Glaucoma: Glaucoma is an eye disease causing increased pressure within the eye and leading to eye pain.
Hypothyroidism: This health condition causes the thyroid to be underactive therefore slowing down the dog’s metabolism and affecting all other organs in the body.
Ear Problems: These common conditions for dogs are usually signaled by whining, scratching, and head shaking.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Breeding Pitbull and Basset Hound Together
Crossbreeding has been a controversial topic among dog breeders and enthusiasts. Just like all other instances of mixing different dog breeds, there are advantages and disadvantages to crossbreeding a Pitbull and a Basset Hound.
The advantages include their rare and unique look and they can be awesome pets provided they had proper socialization and training.
There is also a good chance that they will not inherit congenital diseases, especially if only one parent is a carrier and if the chosen breeding stock is healthy.
Yet another advantage is the potential for the crossbreed to be the basis of a future purebred. So it is possible that the Pitbull Basset Hound can be a foundation for a new kind of dog breed.
On the other hand, the disadvantages of crossing a Pitbull and a Basset Hound include unpredictability, inherited health conditions, and the expensive cost of acquiring one.
It is difficult to predict the temperament and adult size of the Pitbull Basset Hound mix. And because both breeds have common congenital health issues such as hip dysplasia, the Pitbull Basset Hound mix may also have them.
Since hybrid dogs are rare and unique – this is why they are called “designer dogs” – they are also often more expensive than purebreds. Getting a Pitbull Basset Hound puppy might cost you some money.
How to Take Care of Your Basset Hound and Pitbull Mix?
Photo from @lexusthetexaspig (IG)
In order for you to give the best home and life to your Basset Hound Pitbull best friend, you have to provide for your dog’s needs in all aspects.
This includes making sure to give your dog proper nutrition, adequate grooming, enough exercise and of course, your tender loving care.
Feeding and Diet
Just like any other dog, be sure to feed your Basset Hound and Pitbull mix the appropriate diet in the different stages of their life. Both dog breeds tend to gain weight, so watch out how much food and treats you feed your Pitbull Basset Hound mix.
Since your Basset Hound Pitbull mix is unique, you have to gauge its feeding and diet needs. Knowing some guidelines and recommendations for its parents might help you in this regard.
Basset Hounds do well with high-quality dog food that has balanced nutrients. It’s recommended to feed a Basset Hound twice a day with 1 and ½ cups of dog food in the morning and the same amount in the evening.
To add some moisture to dry dog food, it’s a good idea to mix in 2 tablespoons of canned food.
Pitbulls are highly energetic dogs which means their diet should consist of high-protein, low-grain dog food to stay healthy.
As a rule of thumb for homemade dog food, a Pitbull’s daily food intake should be 2 to 4% of its total body weight. For store-bought dog food, choose one that’s high-protein with meat as the main ingredient and follow feeding instructions.
In any case, you can always consult your vet for a tailored diet for your Basset Hound Pitbull mix.
Cleaning and Grooming
Your Pitbull Basset Hound mix needs their coat to be groomed regularly especially if they take after their Basset Hound parent.
Although Basset Hounds’ fur is fairly short, they can shed abundantly. They need their coats to be brushed weekly to get rid of dead hair and to distribute their skin’s natural oils throughout their body.
Remember also to clean their ears and routinely check for ear infections if they have long and droopy ears.
It’s a good idea to regularly bathe your Pitbull Basset Hound mix especially if it goes and plays outside every day. Get your puppy used to having its nails trimmed early on so you won’t have any problems maintaining its paws later.
Remember to always be gentle and patient when you clean and groom your dog. Think of these maintenance tasks as another way of showing your love or as bonding moments that will let you discover your dog’s likes and dislikes.
Training and Exercise
Since the separate breeds have different exercise requirements, expect your Pitbull Basset Hound mix to be either in need of a lot of physical activity or a more moderate exercise routine or even somewhere in between. This will depend on the specific dog.
The Pitbull’s intelligence and eagerness to please will make it agreeable to train. However, the Basset Hound has an independent streak due to its scenthound instincts and can be stubborn or slow to follow commands.
So expect your Pitbull Basset Hound mix to be trainable but could show some stubbornness too.
How Much Does a Basset Hound Pitbull Mix Cost? Puppy Price and Expenses
Photo from @tunafishjoe (IG)
It is possible to adopt a Basset Hound Pitbull mix from animal rescue organizations for about $300, more or less depending on the rescue group.
Take note though that having some experience with the Bully breed might be a requirement for adoption. For a Basset Hound Pitbull puppy from a reputable breeder, the price can be somewhere from $800 to $1,500.
But adoption fees or puppy price is just a fraction of the expenses of keeping this hybrid dog as a pet. Necessary veterinary checkups and vaccines for your puppy can cost $100 to $300 per visit.
Spaying or neutering your pet can amount from $150 to $700. Routine veterinary checkups plus lab work are from $300 to $600 annually.
High-quality dog food and treats can cost you $250 to $700 a year. If your dog has to be on a special diet, then budget more than this for its nutrition needs.
Grooming tools and services can be from $30 to $500 in one year. You can save on this extra expense by learning how to groom your dog yourself.
Other things your dog might need include a leash and a collar ($20 to $50), a dog bed ($50 to $200), and toys ($25 to $150).
If you’re an extra dog parent, you can shower your pet with all kinds of things like a Halloween costume, a funny hat, or a decorative flower necklace – all of which can be free if you’re resourceful and creative.
Just remember that for your dog, your love and affection top all of these extra stuffs.
Places to Find Basset Hound Pitbull Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption
While breeders of the Basset Hound Pitbull mix specifically are hard to find, you can take a look at the following Pitbull and Basset Hound breeders to see if they have Basset Hound Pitbull mix puppies for sale:
AKC Marketplace – Search for Pitbull or Basset Hound breeders and talk to them if they breed Basset Hound Pitbull puppies or know other breeders who do.
Breeder’s Listing from the Staffordshire Terrier Club of America – You may contact any of the acknowledged Pitbull breeders here if they have a Pitbull Basset Hound crossbred.
Basset Hound Club of America – You may also send inquiries to the BHCA if they can recommend or point you toward Basset Hound breeders who also crossbreed Basset Hounds and Pitbulls.
If you’re interested in adopting instead, you can reach out to these rescue organizations if they happen to have a Basset Hound Pitbull mix in need of a forever home:
Pit Bull Rescue Central – Search the PBRC’s dog listings and you might be lucky enough to find a Pitbull Basset Hound puppy/dog.
Bad Rap – Look over their dog adoption gallery and you might stumble upon a Pitbull Basset Hound mix.
Dog Mixes Similar to Basset Hound Pitbull Mix
If you feel like the Basset Hound Pitbull mix is not quite the dog for you but would want something similar, here are other mixes that might be of interest to you.
Dober Pit or Dober Staffy: The Dober Pit or Dober Staffy is a cross between the Doberman Pinscher and the Pitbull. Unlike its Basset Hound Pitbull cousins, the Dober Pit has longer legs and a slimmer face.
Hush Basset or Cocker Basset: The Hush Basset or Cocker Basset is a mix of the Cocker Spaniel and the Basset Hound. Similar to the Basset Hound Pitbull mix, the Hush Bassets are also “low riders” with their short legs but have longer ears.
Pitador or Labrabull: The Pitador or Labrabull combines the genes of the Labrador Retriever and Pitbull. The Pitador also has a massive head and droopy ears like the Basset Hound Pitbull hybrid.
Bully Basset: The Bully Basset is a hybrid of the Bulldog and the Basset Hound. With its massive head and solid body, you can see that the Bully Basset and the Basset Hound Pitbull are indeed related.
Commonly Asked Questions
Are Basset Hound Pitbull Mixes Dangerous?
Any dog that has not been socialized and trained from an early age can be dangerous. The concern with any Pitbull mixes is their tendency for aggression with other dogs and their powerful and destructive bites.
Early socialization and proper training of a Basset Hound Pitbull puppy are essential in making this hybrid dog a great pet for anyone.
Are Pitbull Basset Hound Mixes High Maintenance Dogs?
If your Pitbull Basset Hound mix has no congenital conditions, then they don’t have to be high maintenance. Depending on your individual dog’s temperament, you may need to engage your pet in more or less physical activities.
Do Pitbull Basset Hound Mixes Shed a Lot?
If your Pitbull Basset Hound mix takes after their Basset Hound parent, there can be some shedding and you need to groom your pet on a regular basis.
Final Thoughts: Is the Basset Hound Pitbull Mix the Right Dog for You?
The Basset Hound Pitbull mix is a rare surprise in crossbreeding two breeds with distinct appearances and different temperaments. In an ideal combination, the Basset Hound Pitbull mix inherits the intelligence, loyalty, resilience, independence, and charm of its parent breeds.
Ideal or not, this lovable cross has come to capture many dog lovers’ hearts and has the potential to be just the right pet for you.
If you’ve come to decide that the “Suprise me!” and the unique appeal of the Basset Hound Pitbull mix is for you, then I hope you’d find or adopt one in need of a home and a best friend.
If, on the other hand, you feel that the Basset Hound Pitbull mix is not the dog for you, then I hope you keep on searching our website and find the right one soon!
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