The “Bassador” is another example of a current “trend” that is going right now in which RESPONSIBLE dog breeders are choosing to “mix and match” certain dog breeds that have been “overbred” in the past. This overbreeding frequently leads to inevitable “valued” traits or characteristics of a species being “promoted” while other features are selectively avoided.
As a result, the potential gene pool for these breeds becomes smaller and smaller for each subsequent generation, leading to the development of many “recessive” diseases that would otherwise not be as prevalent as they are today.
As a way…
To combat this trend, many responsible dog breeders choose to “combine” many famous dog breeds to create a “hybrid” breed. Often called “designer dogs” or “designer breeds,” these new “designer mutts” are continuing to grow in popularity and are probably why you may be considering adopting your very own Ambassador.
But…
Is an ambassador going to be the right kind of dog for you? That’s something only you can answer; however, in this article, we will attempt to shed some light on what it might be like to adopt a Bassador puppy and what one should expect from their new ball of joy!
Bassador Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Presumably, the United States
Original Purpose: Companionship
Breed Group: Mixed Breed of Labrador Retrievers and Basset Hounds
Height: Varies Widely
Weight: Varies widely, generally between 50 to 70 pounds
Life Span: 10 to 12 years
Origin of the Ambassador
Believe it or not, the “Bassador” has now been “around” for more than twenty years, which is probably why certain dog clubs like the Dog Registry of America are beginning to “officially” recognize the breed. The problem is that because the Bassador isn’t “officially” recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), its history and origin haven’t been entirely determined. However, it’s pretty safe to assume that the “breed” was probably first developed within the United States since the breed is undoubtedly more common here in the USA than elsewhere.
Either way…
Because the breed is so “new,” understanding its “origin” doesn’t tell us much about what your Ambassador will look like or how they will behave. To understand that, it’s much better to look at the two breeds used to create a Bassador: Basset Hounds and Labrador Retrievers.
The Basset Hound
Originating from France, the Basset Hound has a bit of a “mixed” history. It is believed that the breed was first created for companionship and amusement by the French aristocracy in the 15th and 16th centuries. During this time, the Basset Hound didn’t have any practical use.
Then after…
During the French Revolution, the Basset Hound began to be bred as a hunting dog by the commoners. They realized what a helpful dog it was and quickly transformed this “Crown Jester” into a pretty capable hunting dog with its short, sturdy legs and fantastic sense of smell!
While the Basset Hound has been in the USA since the 17th century, it became popular only in the 1960s. Until then, it was generally ignored by the dog breeders here.
For more information about the Basset Hound, we’d recommend you check our full article: The Basset Hound… Not Just For Hunters! where we go into much greater detail about this fantastic breed.
Now, as for the…
Labrador Retriever, what can we say that isn’t already known? The Labrador is probably one of the most popular dogs in North America and Europe. It is a perfect companion dog and a great addition to any family.
This is probably because they have been bred so often; they can also suffer from several medical conditions. For more information about Labrador Retrievers, we suggest you check out our article: Labrador Retrievers: American’s Go-To Family Pet!
What will your Ambassador look like?
It’s fair to say that “genes have a mind of their own.” This is why you never really know what you’ll get when you mix two very different-looking dogs, like a Basset Hound and a Labrador Retriever, together. Sometimes, it will work out great, while others might fail miserably.
There is no way to tell how the experiment can turn out when a breeder chooses to mix dogs. And unfortunately, there is little the breeder can do about that.
But regardless…
What your Bassador might look like because they will come from a long line of dogs with great personalities, you can expect that your Bassador will make a great family pet. While it’s true that they might have a bit more of the “stubbornness” found in the Basset Hound that is located in the Labrador Retriever, this stubbornness isn’t something that should be impossible with the appropriate amount of training, especially if that training is begun early on.
Personality and Temperament
The Bassador’s temperament is a function of its environment and, to an extent, of the temperament of its parents. The mother plays a significant role here – more likely to influence the ambassador puppy’s behavior than the father. Genes also matter, as does the time the dog spends socializing in its early years. Generally, if the Basset Hound side of the family is strong, the dog is likely to be more independent. The Basset Hound, remember, is a hunting dog. If the Labrador family side is more robust, then the Ambassador is much easier to train. It will be more obedient.
Ambassadors have strong hunting instincts…
Typically, I don’t care for cats. Now, they can be introduced and socialized to cats early on. However, we wouldn’t advise adopting a rescue ambassador if you already own a cat unless you know they are “cat tolerant” already. The Bassador can be stubborn sometimes, especially if the Basset Hound side of the family dominates, but still can be trained with positive reinforcement. He is a quick learner and will learn faster if you make the training fun for him by praising him and rewarding him with treats for a reasonable effort.
Are there any health concerns for the Ambassador that you should be worried about?
Every hybrid or designer dog, such as an ambassador, will have specific genetic health issues and likely inherit certain diseases. There is nothing that can be done to prevent that.
The good news…
These “hybrid” dogs will generally be healthier than the individual dog breeds they were created from. That said, however, there are a few things that you should be careful about when adopting any dog.
For example:
- Don’t buy the Ambassador from a breeder who does not offer health guarantees.
- Be sure to be able to see the parents of your ambassador puppy before buying so that you can certify the health of the parents.
- Avoid buying your puppy from any breeder currently offering several different “types” of puppies. This could indicate you are purchasing from a “puppy mill.”
- Also, contact the American Kennel Club and see if they know any responsible breeders in your area.
Potential Health Concerns
Some of the common health conditions that Bassadors are often afflicted with are:
- Back problems or intervertebral disc disease (IVDD),
- Hip dysplasia,
- Eye problems such as glaucoma,
- As well as bloating or gastric torsion.
Now, you may be thinking…
“Wait a second; I thought you just said the Bassado dog breed is a healthy breed”
And we did. But that doesn’t mean the species isn’t susceptible to certain medical conditions like any other dog breed. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also encourage anyone currently considering adopting a new pet to take a moment and see just how much it might cost to purchase a pet insurance policy for that new pet.
This way…
If your new family member does become sick or injured, you won’t be burdened with the total cost of their care on your own! Check out our Best Pet Insurance Companies article for more information on what a pet insurance policy might cost you.
