Basselier (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel & Basset Hound Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

The Basselier is a kind-spirited dog that needs plenty of love and tenderness from their human counterparts. They are a hybrid pup, a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Basset Hound.

These two breeds share many qualities but they also have considerable differences. No standard has been adopted for the mix, so it can be a toss-up for what kind of puppy you are going to get, even within the same litter. Either way, the Basselier is bound to inherit the loving nature of both of their parent breeds and be a laidback dog with a great deal of patience.

 

Basselier Puppies

Basselier puppies are not highly sought after, and it can be challenging to locate a specific breeder for these pups. Since they are not that common, it can be easier to find them as accidental crosses in an adoption shelter. They will also be much cheaper there because shelters typically have standard rates for all their animals.

If you cannot find one in an animal shelter, you can estimate a puppy’s rates by figuring out the price of the purebred parent’s puppies and then reducing it, typically by around half, for a hybrid mix.

When it comes to looking for a breeder, make sure you vet them thoroughly to know that you are supporting someone who treats their dogs and customers well. Before adopting your new puppy, ask for a tour of their facilities. They should always be willing to show you any area into which they allow their dogs.

It is also a good practice to verify their parents’ and the puppy’s papers. These should help prove your pup’s parentage and stop anyone from getting away with lying about a dog’s lineage. Also, ask to see the parent’s vet records because these will alert you to any of the health issues that you may need to watch for as your puppy matures.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Basselier 🧠

There is not a guarantee for how any dog will behave, especially newer hybrids without breed standardization. Since both parents of the Basselier share similar traits, it is easier to predict what their hybrid puppy will be like.

A Basselier is often described as a friendly breed with quite a bit of intelligence. They are low maintenance because they do not need much exercise but instead, require more time with their family. Both parent breeds need a great deal of love and would prefer to be around their humans as much as possible.

Even though Basset Hounds are known for their baying when they are on the hunt, they don’t tend to bark excessively. This is often true for the Basselier, and they can be trained to bark only when necessary. These little dogs are easy to please and want to please you back, making them relatively convenient to train and introduce into new situations or to new people.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Basselier is an excellent choice for a family dog, no matter your family’s age or size. They have a great deal of patience and are therefore good dogs to have around children. They are happy to bond and participate in family activities or to cuddle on the couch on lazy nights, making them low-maintenance and easy pups to have around.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Basselier can get along with other animals and co-exist well, especially when socialized from an early age. They might seem to prefer the house to themselves and alone time, but they will often put up with other animals being around.

They do not tend to be territorial, but they are not as energetic as many other breeds and may eventually lose patience if bothered too much.

Things to Know When Owning a Basselier

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

A Basselier is not an energetic dog and their metabolism is not high either. You need to watch their weight carefully because they can struggle with obesity. Feed them a diet that is low in fat and made with high-quality materials.

A Basselier should only need between 1 and 2 cups of food a day. Spread these out between two meals to help them avoid indigestion complications.

Exercise 🐕

A Basselier pup will often fall between a low- and medium-energy dog, depending on their age and which parent they favor. Both parents tend to be low maintenance when it comes to exercise, though.

You can take your Basselier on a couple of long walks each day, for a run, on hikes, or to the dog park. If you run or walk consistently, try to aim for 7 miles each week. Hitting this amount will give you a better guarantee that they are maintaining a healthy weight and fitness level.

Training 🦮

Training a Basselier pup is easier than with many other breeds because they do not tend toward stubbornness. Instead, they are eager to please and want to make you happy. During training sessions, make sure they are rewarded with plenty of verbal praise so they know that what they are doing is what you want from them.

Basselier pups can also be quite food motivated. However, no dog’s diet should be more than 10% treats each day. Even this amount, though, without proper exercise, can cause unhealthy amounts of weight gain.

Grooming ✂️

Basseliers are not a hypoallergenic breed. They shed a moderate amount, and their coat’s length varies depending upon which parent they favor. They can have long fur with a wavy texture or short and smooth fur from the Basset Hound. Use a push brush or a comb to comb through the longer hair at least once a week. If they have a short coat, use a rubber curry brush to prevent shedding around the house.

The Basselier also needs extra attention to their ears. Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Basset Hound have long ears prone to ear infections if not cared for properly. Wash them out gently with a warm, slightly damp towel at least once a week. Dry them with a soft cloth afterward. This treatment helps prevent moisture and debris buildup.

Clip their nails around once a month if they are not naturally worn down. Brush your Basselier’s teeth daily or at least once a week, to stop tartar buildup and ensuing dental issues.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Even though part of these two breeds’ hybridization reasoning was to breed out some of their genetic illnesses, there are still quite a few things to watch out for. They often gain hybrid vigor, though.

Male vs. Female

There are currently no recognizable differences between males and females in this breed.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Basselier

1. The name for the Basset Hound comes from a descriptive French word.

Most researchers and historians of dog breeds believe that the Basset Hound was originally developed sometime in the late 1800s by the Friars of the French Abbey of St. Hubert. It is thought that they wanted a scent hound, but many of the scent hounds of the day were tall and would lope quickly away from those walking. The friars needed a slower breed that they could follow on foot, so they developed the Basset Hound. The dog’s history is in the name, since the French word for “slow” is “bas.”

The Basset Hound is currently one of the best scent hounds globally, having a better nose than most older breeds. Researchers believe that this is due to the dog’s original breed crossing. The idea is that they were traced to the Basset d-Artois and the Basset Normand. Bloodhounds were incorporated later down the line. The Basset Hound became much more popular across the country after the French Revolution. Hunters had less access to horses and needed a dog that they could follow on foot, the Basset Hound’s specialty.

Basset Hounds began to gain popularity with more people than those in the hunting scene when they were brought to the Paris Dog Show in 1863. Shortly after this, they began to be exported to England, and this was the beginning of their global adventures.

2. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was a beloved pet of King Charles II.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a more prodigious past than the Basset Hound. They were the favorite breed of King Charles II, from whom they inherited their name. These dogs have been the preferred breed of many more royal families, nobility, and even modern-day celebrities.

You can see their prominence in history, evidenced by the number of paintings that feature these sweet and benign creatures sitting on the laps of genteel members of society. They have been loved in France and England most prominently but have grown in popularity steadily in North America. It is for this reason that they can be so expensive as a purebred pup.

3. The Basselier is believed to have originated when the trend for breeders to hybridize health issues out of dogs began.

As with many modern-day hybrids, we do not have a complete record of their breeding or even why they were originally bred. The current belief for the origin of the Basselier is that since the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Basset Hound have various health issues specific to their breed, by breeding them together, the genetics of the other dog could help eradicate some of these issues. This was useful because it enabled them to maintain many of the physical and personality characteristics that both breeds are well-known and -loved for.

Final Thoughts

Many people assume that dogs are going to be a big commitment and an even bigger responsibility. Even though all dogs require adequate care, some breeds like the Basselier are low maintenance and can easily adapt to any family situation.

These dogs do well in apartments, and as long as they are exercised enough to avoid weight gain, they do not need much activity. Basseliers want plenty of familial love but will generally be happy to sleep until you return home.

See also:

• Boxer Shepherd (German Shepherd & Boxer Mix)
• Border-Aussie (Border Collie & Australian Shepherd Mix)

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Featured Image: Left – Basset Hound (Victoria Rak, Shutterstock), Right – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Todor Rusinov, Shutterstock)