Basset Shepherd

50-68 lbs
12-20"
United States
Basset Hound
German Shepherd
Shepherd Hound

The Basset Shepherd is a mix of the Basset Hound and German Shepherd breeds. Since both of the parent breeds are very intelligent, it is safe to say that the Basset Shepherd is also a very alert and intelligent dog. Because the German Shepherd and Basset Hound tend to shed frequently, be prepared to groom your Basset Shepherd weekly in order to keep the hair down. On top of this, frequent exercise will also be needed as the Basset Shepherd has parent breeds that are higher energy and strongly determined to work. If left to their own devices, your Basset Shepherd may take after his parents and become a bit destructive out of boredom. Overall, the Basset Shepherd is a loyal, friendly, intelligent breed that is good with both humans and animals of all ages. 

purpose Purpose
Companion, Guardian
history Date of Origin
2000s
ancestry Ancestry
Basset Hound, German Shepherd

Basset Shepherd Health

Average Size
Male Basset Shepherd size stats
Height: 12-20 inches Weight: 50-75 lbs
Female Basset Shepherd size stats
Height: 12-20 inches Weight: 50-68 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
Minor Concerns
  • Cherry Eye
  • Cataracts
  • Cervical Vertebral Instability
Occasional Tests
  • Hip
  • Elbow
  • Spine
  • X-Rays
  • Eye Examination
  • Physical Examination

Basset Shepherd Breed History

Due to the fact that the Basset Shepherd is a very new breed, there is not much documented information about its history. However, we do have quite a bit of information on the parent breeds. The German Shepherd, for instance, is a breed that was developed in Germany during the 19th century as a military and police force dog. Adaptable and intelligent, the German Shepherd didn’t take long to grow in popularity all over the world and was registered by the American Kennel Club in 1912. Even though this breed took a slight step backwards during World War I due to being associated with the enemy at the time, they bounced back without much effort after the war thanks to a particular German Shepherd by the name of Rin Tin Tin who was featured in movies. The German Shepherd became the most popular breed in the United States for some time. The Basset Hound is a breed that has been used for generations as a hunting dog. This particular breed was created in France around the 7th century and was introduced to the United States in the early 19th century. It may be surprising that these medium-sized, floppy eared dogs were used for hunting, but thanks to their amazing sense of smell they were quite good at it. Bassets became well known after they were used in a campaign for Hush Puppy shoes and they have grown more popular since. Used as hunters and companion dogs, the Basset Hound is a goofy and stubborn breed with a large sense of loyalty.

Basset Shepherd Breed Appearance

Basset Shepherds will reflect traits of both parent breeds. For instance, while the Basset Shepherd has the body type of the Basset hound, with shorter legs and a long body, he tends to have the coloring and facial features of the German Shepherd. Floppy ears that are shorter in length than the Basset Hound frame the breed’s pointed muzzle and his dark brown eyes are alive and full of intelligence. While German Shepherds can weigh up to 90 lbs., a typical Basset Shepherd will, at most, weigh 75 lbs. This breed stands at around 12 to 20 inches at the shoulder and usually takes after the short leggedness of the Basset Hound. The color patterns of the Basset Shepherd mimic that of a German Shepherd: dark muzzle, brown eyes, and a tan body with a black blanket covering the back. 

Basset Shepherd Breed Maintenance

As with any dog breed, general maintenance is very important to keeping your pet looking and feeling great. Because both parent breeds of the Basset Shepherd tend to shed moderately to heavily, be prepared to groom your dog often in order to keep shedding to a manageable level. You may want to brush your Basset Shepherd at least twice a week with a rubber brush and bathe as necessary. Besides regular brushing, be sure to clean your dog’s ears often. This is because, with folded over ears, extra moisture and any foreign material can become trapped in the ears; such a situation can cause infection and irritation. Always dry the ears thoroughly after cleaning or swimming. Nails of the paws need to be trimmed every few weeks or so in order to keep the feet healthy. If you can hear your dog’s nails clicking against the floor as he walks, it’s time for a trim!

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Basset Shepherd Temperament

 By combining the personalities of two different dogs, you are bound to get a wide range of traits in the new breed. This also means that it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how your individual dog will behave. However, when it comes to the Basset Shepherd, the usual behavior tends to be a calm, courageous, affectionate dog that is easily trainable and great with kids of all ages. These good traits are thanks to the intelligence of both breeds and the gentle disposition that each one possesses. While the Basset Hound can be a bit stubborn and is known to be a good guard and hunting dog, he is generally very even-tempered and non-aggressive. The German Shepherd is confident and fearless, with a good temperament and easy trainability. It is important to remember that, regardless of breed, when obtaining a new dog early socialization is everything. By allowing your dog to spend lots of time around other animals and people, you will be helping him to become his best self. Overall, the Basset Shepherd is a great dog with an easy going personality who is ready to please, great for any family and beginner dog owner. 

Basset Shepherd Activity Requirements

There is no doubt that with a hunting and work dog history, the Basset Shepherd has a high energy level and requires a decent amount of exercise per day. The Basset Hound has been used as a hunting companion for generations, and while he is a more laid back character, the Basset is still high energy and needs to release it in some productive way. The German Shepherd, while more energetic, is just like the Basset Hound in the fact that it is a working breed and requires exercise to keep its energy use productive. There are lots of great ways to get your dog the exercise it needs; from training, jogging, long walks, dog parks, hiking and more. Whatever works best for you, just be sure to spend quality active time with your Basset Shepherd. While they are excellent companion dogs, a lack of exercise can cause them to become destructive and even overweight. Because they have a high to very high energy level, take the time to exercise your pet well in order to maintain good behavior and overall health. 

Basset Shepherd Owner Experiences

Millie
1 Year
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Sleeping
Running
eating
Millie is the sweetest puppy. She is very smart. She always let’s us know when she needs to go outside and WILL NOT use the bathroom inside. She loves to play with her toys and always wants some attention. She is very protective over us and we love her to death.
2 years, 10 months ago
Brownie
1 Year
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walks
Playtime
He likes being pet
Brownie is a really sweet dog with a lot of energy. He is so affectionate and sweet with little kids as well as older ones. He does tend to bark at anything outside the gate, but I think it's his way of ¨protecting¨ the house. When we go on walks he gets really jumpy and barks around other dogs, or he just stares at them. When I adopted him I was informed that other dogs scared him and made him anxious. When I got to meet him he seemed very shy and scared, it took him a while to warm up. Now, he is rambunxious and energetic, and barks at almost every dog he sees. He isn't trained yet and does tend to chew things, but he's so full of love and is truly one of the sweetest dogs I´ve ever come across.
2 years, 10 months ago
shadow
8 Weeks
5 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing and running around outside
So far it has been a adventure. She is very energetic and working with manners and potty training. The potty training has been difficult because she has been having a hard time telling us when she needs to go if she is on the floor she wont tell you if she is in your lap she will tell you she needs to get down to go.
6 years, 10 months ago
Dip
1 Year
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Play keep away
Frisbee
Jogging
Catch treats
Watching tv
Tug-of-war
wrestling
Chase
Fetch
Tennis ball catch
Rough Housing
Dip is a great dog. She's very friendly once she gets to say hi to people and is only a growler. She's never bitten anyone, except as part of playing. She tends to be relaxed and laze around about 70% of the time and is extremely active the rest of the time. She is very protective of my wife and I, and of the house, but has never been aggressive towards other dogs or people. She is extremely playful, but has had a rough time learning to be gentle with puppies. She seems to be more careful around small children though. As a small puppy she was very destructive as a puppy, but she very quickly learned what was fair game to chew up and what wasn't. I don't know if it's the breed or just my dog, but she destroys toys. Her favorite duck? Head ripped off. "indestructable" frog toy? Chewed to bits. Rubber chicken? Decapitated. It helps a lot to have a real bone that is safe for her to chew so she has something to gnaw on when she chilling on the couch or anxious about being home alone. It will help protect everything you own. She likes to play rough, but you have to initiate and she never intends to cause harm. Her nails grow very fast and need to be trimmed regularly. Which is great because she absolutely hates getting them trimmed. She also sheds an unbelievable amount of fur. It's easy to sweep up, but no amount of combing stops her from growing enough hair for a new dog every week. She may be a decently high maintenance dog, but she is very loving and I wouldn't trade her for the world.
6 years, 10 months ago
Hank
13 Weeks
6 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Tug-of-war
Running
He is very energetic and loves to play fight. He struggles to tell us when he needs to use the bathroom, but he is still a great puppy and is friendly .
6 years, 4 months ago
Roxanne
5 Years
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Tugg of war
playing tag
Ruff Housing
My Dog Roxanne is a sweet lazy dog that used to love to play with me but know is 5 and is more lazy than usual
6 years, 4 months ago
Bandit
5 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He loves companionship. He loves ride in the car. He will bring toys for us to play with. You tell him get a certain toy by name, even if the toy is in another room. My wife's dog is very hard of hearing but she loves to roam. We can send Bandit after her dog and he will return with her within 5 to 10 minutes. He is able to go into the pasture with 12 horses and pick out my horse and return with him.
6 years, 3 months ago
Low Ryder
10 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Playing games
He is the best dog i could ever have! He claimed me at an adoption fair he was roughly 2 years old then (2010) i have had him since and he loves everyone and every animal! My mother law passed away from cancer but before that when she came over and or spent the night my boy never left her side!
6 years ago
Jasper
8 Years
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Playing in the snow
Tug-of-war
Fetch
I’ve had Jasper since he was a puppy. He’s been an amazing companion and my best friend. I love him very much and he’s such an adorable little dog.
5 years, 12 months ago
Roxanne
6 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing in the snow
Very well and nice. Kinda lazy, easily gets fat, very active, great for kids, stink very bad even after a bath
5 years, 10 months ago
Bronco
7 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Tug-of-war
He is the best dog ever! He is so friendly. Guest are quickly welcomed in, if they come through the front door. If someone just shows up, he will bark and growl. He potty trained in two days. He learned quickly everyday commands. So love able.
5 years, 9 months ago
Stormy
6 Months
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Tug-of-war
Stormy is one of the most cuddly, laid back, sweetest puppies I have ever been around. My 7 month old daughter completely adores this puppy & I think Stormy adores my daughter just as much. She lets my daughter love on her & “pet” her nonstop. She never complains or even tries to get away from the baby loves. Trying to potty train her has been a complete nightmare though. She is 100% crate trained but we CANNOT get her to stop going to the bathroom in the house.
5 years, 6 months ago
Arlo
4 Months
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playdate
Go to Park
Groom
Car ride
Nap
Bath time
Dog Parks
Our Basset Shepherd is very calm, easy to redirect, loves to socialize with people and get lots of attention. He is rarely hyper, loves to snuggle on the couch and take many naps. Doesn’t like to over-exert himself very much. Does like to play with other dogs and gets playful for this activity. Loves children and doesn’t mind cats, a caged rabbit or free range chickens - doesn’t chase them at all.
5 years, 5 months ago
August
2 Years
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Dog Parks
Dog-friendly events
Run
The best boy! A little excitable at times but maybe he just loves the cat.
5 years, 4 months ago
Angus
7 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
He is a happy, rescued sweet boy. Loves to cuddle and play with his sister, Xena. With humans. No doubt he would protect his Mommy if need be.
4 years, 11 months ago
Apollo
3 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Car ride
Swim
Walk
He tends to look more like a German Shepard that god forgot to give legs. He is almost impossible to train if other dog or humans are around and is vary hyperactive. One of the hardest dogs I ever had to house train Until I Put bells on a string tied to the door he will now hit them when he needs to go out. Though once he is calmed down he is very smart and listens very well. Is stubborn but at the same times wants to please you. Loves to play and is extremely curious about everything. Extremely high energy levels but is a lovable pet at night. Very protective of the family. He has one of the happiest dispositions of any dog I have ever owned. Loves to go swimming and take car rides. He has to be around humans and will follow whoever is home around the house. Something to look out for if adopting a puppy would be to take him to the vet and checked for elbow dyspepsia this is common in basset hounds and unfortunately our pup has inherited a bad case of this. It can cause pain in his feet and shoulders at times if caught early there are some treatments available to help.
4 years, 9 months ago
Duke
6 Years
3 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Snuggles
Relaxing
Walks
Easy to train, smart guy, absolutely loving, gentleman.
4 years, 6 months ago
Gunner
5 Months
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She loves water and loves to swim. She does not like to be alone. She is house trained, but very quiet about it. She goes and stands quietly at the door when she needs to go to the bathroom. She got spayed this week and doesn't seem to notice the pain. She is still very energetic and playful, but has also been a little more sleepy and cuddly.
4 years, 4 months ago
Elvis
7 Years
3 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chase
Walk
Going on drives
Very loyal and loving!! This dog has a great personality! Can go from high energy playing to couch potato in the matter of minutes.
4 years, 4 months ago
Winston
4 Months
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He's very excitable, loves to hide items in kennel, eats alot! Loves boiled chicken, chews on his toys constantly, loves to get h in the house, full sized dog on short legs , lots of love to give, whines when he's bored or has to go outside. Absolutely amazing dog wonderful addition to our family for sure. He loves to run ,jump, and play.
3 years, 10 months ago
Claire
15 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chasing bunnies
Free roaming
Sleeping
Camping
Walks
She is the best of both worlds. She's a large dog with no legs and was about 70lbs in her better days. She has the mentality of a basset with the intelligence of a German Sheppard. She is too smart some times and will escape the yard just to go to the front door. She can open almost any door or cabinet and will get into things if she thinks I won't notice. She'll also sneak things out of the fridge, garbage, or counters and hide the evidence. She couldn't care less for toys and never has. She is very gentle and loving and wants nothing more but to be next to you. She's very goofy and animated. She has a very strong personality and will talk back or will use body language and certain barks to tell you what she wants. She has been around just about every type of dog and children. She's friendly but bossy (she thinks she's everyone's mom) and allows kids to climb on her or do anything they want. She loves chasing bunnies, cats, squirrels, and birds and the hound in her does not listen but the German Sheppard in her allows her to know how to get back home. She can be extremely defensive and very scarily so to the point she repeatedly slammed into a glass window cracking it trying to go after a mail man that was for some reason putting packages on the back porch instead of the front. If you've never had a hound before than you may find yourself frustrated and in need of guidance. Those of you like me who have had mainly hounds their entire lives will find them easier than typical. Health wise she got the best also. 15 years old and still going and perfectly healthy although she is getting arthritis. She has never needed emergency care or been really sick and only needs periodic vet check ups. She can eat anything and it won't bother her. No allergies or sensitivities. All in all, she is nearly the prefect dog for most situations and families. She knows way more than anyone would ever guess. Literally the only cons are she has separation anxiety and she's very hairy and sheds allot. I'm hopeful for another couple years with her even though she's more than double her life expectancy.
3 years, 10 months ago
Wilma
15 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Wonderful,smart,intuitive,funny,gentle and protective of need be, and very very loveable
3 years, 9 months ago
Atlas
1 Year
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
he is sweet playful cute
3 years, 9 months ago
Kizer
3 Years
8 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
training
Fetch,
Sleeping
Tug-of-war
Kizer is a awesome dog and I see traits of both breeds in him. He has a protective side, his bark is loud like a shepard. He definitely has the separation anxiety both breeds tend to have, therefore hes real clingy and will follow you no matter where you go, even to the bathroom lol he doesnt shed bad. Super sweet overall and definitely a good pick for an emotional support dog!
3 years, 8 months ago
Cali
8 Weeks
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playdate
Playing
Walks
She is doing great she loves to play and meet other people loves kids and cats
3 years, 8 months ago
Mabel
2 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playdate
Walk
Hike
Play
Tug-of-war
Fetch
Dog Parks
Laying in the sun
Mabel was found as a baby and spent her first few months in a shelter and few foster care facilities. We rescued her at about six months. Her early experiences around different dogs and people created a very adaptable, friendly, and social dog. Mabel does have a janky hind leg, which seems to be the result of bad positioning in the womb. It, however, does not slow her down. When she is running and trotting it is hardly noticeable...she just walks with a cute swagger and stands like a ballerina. Mabel is beloved by everyone she meets. Her unique look and charismatic personality always leaves a lasting impression. She has four Hen sisters who she loves to watch over and protect. She is a joy.
3 years, 6 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd