You’ve probably considered many breeds if you’re searching for a new furry friend to add to your family. While you may just be hearing about the Bassetoodle for the first time, it’s definitely a breed you’ll want to look into!
Before we get into the pros and cons of this dog breed, let’s start with the basics. What is a Bassetoodle?
A Bassetoodle is a unique, hybrid breed that crosses a Basset Hound and a Poodle. While sometimes bred unintentionally, these “designer dogs” are also intentionally bred to add the desirable allergy-friendly characteristics of the Poodle coat to the lovable and popular Basset Hound breed.
What’s the difference between a Bassetoodle and a Bassetpoo?
The Bassetoodle and the Bassetpoo both refer to the same cross between a Basset Hound and a Poodle. While Bassetoodle is the most common name, this mix is referred to as a few others, including Bassetpoo, Bastoodle, and Bassetdoodle.
Is the Basset Hound Poodle mix a rare breed?
The Bassetoodle is a very rare Poodle mix breed. For every 5,000 Goldendoodles, you’ll find just 1 Bassetoodle. Even compared to other less common crosses like the Springerdoodle, the Basset Hound Poodle mix is only 3% as popular.
While there are a few intentional breeders of the mix, you’ll find that many Bassetoodles result from accidental breeding.
How big does a Bassetoodle get?
The average size of a full-grown, adult Bassetoodle is 20-30 pounds and 12-16 inches in height.
The size of this breed is primarily determined by whether a toy, miniature, or standard Poodle was used in the pairing.
A toy Bassetoodle, while potentially smaller than 20 pounds, didn’t quite make our list of tiniest doodle breeds. A mini Bassetoodle will fall squarely in the estimated range above. A standard Bassetoodle may grow to be even larger than 30 pounds.
What’s the difference between an F1 Bassetoodle, an F1B Bassetoodle, and an F2 Bassetoodle?
Bassetoodles, like any other mixed breed, have generations associated with them that describe how close in DNA they are to their purebred parent breeds.
An F1 Bassetoodle, or first generation, means a pairing of a purebred Basset Hound with a purebred Poodle.
An F1B Bassetoodle takes the first generation Bassetoodle and pairs it with a purebred Poodle. This results in puppies with roughly 75% Poodle DNA rather than the 50/50 split of an F1.
An F2 Bassetoodle is when you breed two Bassetoodles together—usually two first-generation dogs.
Generations are fundamental to understanding Poodle mixes because they help “predict” whether puppies will have the allergy-friendly and low-shedding qualities of the Poodle’s coat.
Since the Basset Hound and Poodle mix is so rare and often unintentionally bred, most will be first-generation puppies.
Do Bassetoodles shed?
While the Poodle is a non-shedding breed, it’s paired with the Basset Hound, which does shed. For that reason, there are no guarantees that Bassetoodles will be non-shedding.
While you should assume your Bassetoodle puppy will shed, it will probably shed less than a purebred Basset Hound.
Regular brushing is essential to help manage potential shedding and keep your dog’s coat healthy. You should brush your Bassetoodle with a quality slicker brush at least twice a week.
The Chris Christensen Baby G slicker brush is an excellent option for this breed!
Chris Christensen Baby G Dog Slicker Brush
Are Bassetoodles hypoallergenic?
Due to the unpredictability of genetics, Bassetoodles are NOT guaranteed to be hypoallergenic.
While they may be more allergy-friendly than other breeds, thanks to the influence of Poodle DNA, they are still not recommended for those who suffer from moderate to severe dog allergies.
If you experience allergies to dogs, you may want to consider a “backcrossed” generation of Bassetoodle like the F1B, which is more likely to inherit a Poodle-like coat. For even more peace of mind, consider another mix where both parent breeds are hypoallergenic.
What is the Basset Hound Poodle mix temperament like?
As you would expect, the Basset Hound and Poodle cross combines the personality traits—both good and bad—of the two parent breeds.
Bassetoodles are typically amiable, joyful, and people-oriented dogs. They’ll get along just fine with children and adults alike. In fact, their loyalty and desire to be with their humans sometimes can turn into separation anxiety without proper training.
The Basset Hound Poodle mix will usually do fine with other dogs, but remember that their natural hunting instincts may pose an issue if you have much smaller, furry animals in the house.
Bassetoodles make wonderful watchdogs, but with that comes a lot of barking and even howling. For that reason, they often don’t make great companions for those in apartments, condos, or townhomes.
While Poodles are generally easy to train, Basset Hounds tend to be stubborn and difficult at times. For that reason, you could have mixed results while training a Bassetoodle, so it’s advantageous if you’re not a first-time dog owner.
Is the Basset Hound Poodle mix a healthy breed?
It’s generally thought that mixed breeds like the Basset Hound and Poodle cross tend to experience fewer health issues than their purebred counterparts due to what’s called “hybrid vigor.”
That being said, you’ll still need to be on the lookout for common health problems that both parent breeds experience.
Some common health issues in Bassetoodles include obesity, ear infections, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, and hip or elbow dysplasia.
Major unexpected injuries and illnesses can happen to any dog. When they do, they can be extremely costly. That’s why I always recommend that all dog owners consider purchasing a pet insurance policy.
I personally use and recommend Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. They’re one of the most reputable providers and will cover up to 90% of vet bills.
How long do Bassetoodles live?
The average lifespan of a Bassetoodles is between 12 and 15 years. Since they’re a smaller and relatively healthy breed, they tend to live longer than many other dogs.
What are the most common colors of the Basset Hound Poodle mix?
Bassetoodles come in various colors, including black, brown, cream, white, red, tan, and apricot. There are also many beautiful and unique coat patterns of two or more colors.
Are Bassetoodles high-energy?
While Basset Hounds are relatively low-key, Poodles are very high-energy. As the mix of these two breeds, it’s safe to assume that a Bassetoodle will have moderate to high energy levels.
Regular physical exercise is vital to keeping this breed at a healthy weight. You should count on at least 45 minutes to an hour of daily walking or playtime to keep them in great shape.
Additionally, since this breed is highly intelligent and needs to put its brain to good use to stay out of trouble, you’ll also want to incorporate mental stimulation activities. This can be in the form of snuffle balls, doggy puzzles, or other brain-training games like the ones in this program!
Brain Training for Dogs Program
How much do Bassetoodles cost?
A Bassetoodle puppy typically costs between $800 and $1,500. Even though breeders of this mix are few and far between, you’ll still want to make sure you do your due diligence to ensure you’re finding Basetoodles for sale from a breeder that is knowledgeable and ethical.
You may have better luck finding one of these dogs in a rescue or shelter near you. The one caveat to this strategy is that we don’t know the history of many rescue dogs. For this reason, Bassetoodles are more commonly labeled simply as Basset Hound mixes or Poodle mixes.
Should you add a Poodle and Basset Hound mix to your family?
If you love the distinct appearance and lovable personality of the Basset Hound, the Bassetoodle is a great way to experience it, along with some of the wonderful qualities the Poodle has to offer.
They may be tough to find, but if you locate a Basset Hound Poodle mix, you’ll have the pleasure of sharing your life with an amazing, unique breed!
