Bully Basset
Hybrid Breed Description
The Bully Basset is a cross between the Basset Hound and the Bulldog. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Bully Basset. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
Basset Hound
The Basset Hound presents an immediately recognizable and distinctive appearance characterized by its short stature combined with a large, heavy-boned body structure. Despite standing only thirteen to fifteen inches tall at the shoulder, these substantial dogs weigh between forty and sixty-five pounds, with some larger males reaching up to eighty pounds. This unique combination of low height and considerable weight creates their characteristic rectangular silhouette and low-to-ground profile. The breed's name derives from the French word "bas" meaning low, perfectly describing their diminutive stature. Their body is long and substantial, supported by short, somewhat crooked legs with massive paws that provide stability for navigating rough terrain. The bone structure is remarkably heavy and dense, much more so than other breeds of similar size, giving them their solid, muscular appearance. The Basset Hound's head is notably large and well-proportioned, featuring a rounded, domed skull that appears almost too substantial for their compact body. The muzzle is deep and heavy, with loose, elastic skin that hangs in pronounced folds and wrinkles across the face and forehead, creating their characteristic mournful expression. Large, prominent flews hang loosely alongside the mouth, and the dewlap under the throat is very pronounced, contributing to their tendency to drool. The eyes are large, soft, and slightly sunken with a distinctly sad, soulful appearance enhanced by prominent haw in the lower lids. Most notable are the extraordinarily long, velvety ears that set low on the head and hang well past the jaw when the head is lowered, often dragging along the ground. These pendulous ears can measure over a foot in length and serve the practical purpose of sweeping scents from the ground toward the nose. The Basset Hound's coat is short, dense, and smooth, lying close to the body and providing weather protection without requiring extensive grooming. The tail is long, thick at the base, and carried in a gentle upward curve with a slight bend, typically held high and wagging happily when the dog is in motion. Common coat colors follow traditional hound patterns and include tricolor combinations of black, tan, and white, as well as bicolor patterns such as lemon and white, red and white, or brown and white. Their short legs feature the distinctive crooked or bowed appearance that characterizes the breed, while their large, heavy paws provide the traction needed for their original hunting purpose. The loose, elastic skin creates wrinkles and folds not only on the face but often on the body as well, giving them their endearingly rumpled appearance. This combination of features creates the Basset Hound's unmistakable profile that has made them one of the most recognizable breeds in popular culture, from advertising mascots to beloved family companions.
Key Characteristics
The Basset Hound possesses a gentle, easygoing temperament that makes them excellent family companions, combining a naturally friendly disposition with the calm, patient demeanor characteristic of scenthounds. These dogs are remarkably tolerant and affectionate, particularly with children, displaying the patience necessary to handle the unpredictable behavior of young family members. Originally bred to hunt in packs, Basset Hounds retain strong social instincts and genuinely enjoy the company of both humans and other dogs, preferring not to be left alone for extended periods. They greet strangers warmly rather than suspiciously, making them poor watchdogs despite their tendency to bark at unusual occurrences. Their pack heritage means they thrive in family environments where they can be included in daily activities and have regular companionship, whether human or canine. Despite their laid-back appearance and tendency to lounge indoors, Basset Hounds possess surprising energy and stamina when engaged in activities involving their exceptional sense of smell. Their hunting heritage manifests in an intense drive to follow scent trails, and once they detect an interesting smell, they can become single-mindedly focused on tracking it, often ignoring their owner's calls entirely. This characteristic stubbornness combined with their independent nature makes training challenging, requiring patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement methods. Basset Hounds are intelligent dogs but not particularly motivated to please their owners, preferring to understand what's in it for them before complying with commands. They respond well to food-based training rewards, though their love of treats combined with their low activity level means careful monitoring is necessary to prevent obesity. Basset Hounds are notably vocal dogs, possessing a distinctive, melodious bark and howl that they use liberally to communicate. They will bay when bored, lonely, or when they detect interesting scents, which can become problematic in noise-sensitive environments or with close neighbors. Their tendency to dig is another behavioral trait that owners must manage, as their strong feet and nails combined with their hunting instincts can lead to significant excavation projects in yards. When left to their own devices without adequate exercise or mental stimulation, Bassets can develop undesirable behaviors including excessive barking and destructive digging. Despite their sometimes stubborn nature, Basset Hounds are fundamentally good-natured, loyal companions who form deep attachments to their families. They adapt reasonably well to various living situations but require daily exercise to maintain health and prevent weight gain. Their combination of gentleness, sociability, distinctive appearance, and endearing personality quirks makes them beloved family pets, though prospective owners should be prepared for their independent thinking, vocal nature, and the drool that comes with those characteristic loose lips.
The Basset Hound faces several significant health challenges primarily related to their distinctive physical structure, including their elongated back, short legs, heavy body weight, and excess skin folds. The average lifespan ranges from eight to thirteen years, with proper care and health management essential for maximizing longevity. One of the most serious concerns is their predisposition to spinal problems, particularly intervertebral disc disease, where the discs cushioning the vertebrae degenerate or herniate, potentially causing severe pain, mobility issues, or even paralysis. Their long back combined with their heavy body weight places enormous stress on the spine, making weight management absolutely critical for preventing or minimizing these issues. Maintaining a healthy weight through careful diet control and appropriate exercise is essential, as obesity significantly exacerbates all orthopedic problems and can dramatically shorten their lifespan. Orthopedic issues extend beyond the spine to include hip and elbow dysplasia, conditions where the joints develop abnormally during growth, leading to painful arthritis and potential lameness. The Basset Hound's short, somewhat crooked legs and heavy bone structure make them particularly susceptible to joint problems throughout their lives. Patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of position, also occurs in the breed and can cause intermittent lameness. Proper nutrition during puppyhood, maintaining optimal weight throughout life, and providing joint supplements as recommended by veterinarians can help manage these conditions. Gastric dilatation-volvulus, commonly known as bloat, represents a life-threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and potentially twists, cutting off blood flow. This condition requires immediate surgical intervention and can be fatal within hours if untreated. The Basset Hound's distinctive physical features create additional health vulnerabilities, particularly affecting their ears, eyes, and skin. Their extremely long, pendulous ears trap moisture and restrict air circulation, creating ideal conditions for chronic bacterial and yeast ear infections. Weekly ear cleaning with veterinary-approved solutions and ensuring ears dry thoroughly after bathing or swimming are essential preventive measures. Eye problems are common due to their large, somewhat sunken eyes and loose facial skin, including conditions such as cherry eye, entropion, ectropion, and glaucoma. The extensive skin folds, particularly around the face and neck, require regular cleaning and drying to prevent bacterial and yeast infections in the moist skin fold areas. Basset Hounds are also prone to various allergies affecting both skin and digestion, often manifesting as itching, ear infections, and digestive upset. Additional health concerns include thrombopathia, a blood clotting disorder, hypothyroidism, and various forms of cancer. Regular veterinary examinations, preventive care, diligent grooming attention to ears and skin folds, weight management, and prompt attention to any health changes are crucial for keeping Basset Hounds as healthy as possible despite their numerous genetic predispositions.
Bulldog
The Bulldog presents a distinctive and immediately recognizable appearance characterized by its stocky, muscular build and compact frame. Standing approximately fourteen to fifteen inches tall at the shoulder, males typically weigh around fifty to fifty-five pounds while females average forty to fifty pounds. Despite their moderate height, Bulldogs possess a substantial, heavy-boned structure that gives them considerable weight and presence. The body is broad and low-slung with a characteristic wide stance, featuring massive shoulders, a deep chest, and a slightly arched back. Their powerful, muscular legs are short and set wide apart, contributing to their signature rolling gait. The Bulldog's head is notably large and square-shaped, dominated by a short, broad muzzle and distinctive facial features. The face displays extensive wrinkles and thick skin folds, particularly around the forehead and cheeks. The nose is black and slightly upturned, while the massive jaws protrude forward in a characteristic underbite, with the lower jaw extending beyond the upper jaw to create a distinctive expression. The eyes are round, dark, and set wide apart and low on the skull, conveying a gentle appearance despite the breed's formidable look. Small, thin ears fold forward in a characteristic rose shape, framing the forehead and adding to their endearing appearance. The Bulldog's coat is short, smooth, and fine-textured, lying close to the body with a sleek appearance. The loose, elastic skin hangs in heavy wrinkles around the face, shoulders, and neck, with a prominent dewlap under the throat. Common coat colors include brindle, piebald, and solid patterns in white, red, fawn, or fallow. The tail is naturally short and can be either straight or carried in a distinctive corkscrew shape, typically held low. This combination of powerful build, distinctive facial features, and characteristic proportions creates the Bulldog's iconic appearance that has made them one of the most recognizable breeds worldwide.
Key Characteristics
The Bulldog possesses a gentle, affectionate temperament that belies its formidable appearance, having been selectively bred for docility and companionship after bull-baiting was outlawed. These dogs form deep bonds with their families and display remarkable loyalty and devotion to their owners. Bulldogs are notably calm and patient, making them excellent companions for families with children, as they tolerate the unpredictable behavior and noise associated with young family members. Despite their peaceful nature, Bulldogs retain the courage and tenacity bred into them historically, making them surprisingly effective watchdogs who will alert to unusual activity, though they are more likely to greet strangers warmly than act aggressively. Their people-oriented personality means they actively seek human attention and interaction, thriving on companionship and preferring to be included in family activities. Known for their laid-back and somewhat lazy demeanor indoors, Bulldogs are content to spend much of their day relaxing on comfortable furniture or sleeping. They have relatively low energy levels and require only moderate exercise, though regular walks are important to maintain their health and prevent obesity. The breed can be quite stubborn and independent, exhibiting selective hearing when they choose, which can make training challenging. Bulldogs respond best to patient, positive reinforcement training methods using food rewards, as they are not naturally eager to please and need clear motivation. Their intelligence combined with their stubborn nature means they can be quite clever about getting what they want, whether that's a comfortable spot on the couch or an extra treat. Bulldogs are generally sociable with other dogs and pets, particularly when properly socialized from puppyhood, though males may display dominance toward other male dogs. They are not excessive barkers, typically vocalizing only when there's something worth alerting about. The breed is known for its comedic personality and tendency to snore, grunt, and make various amusing sounds due to their brachycephalic facial structure. Bulldogs adapt well to various living situations, including apartments, as long as they have access to climate-controlled environments. They are sensitive to extreme temperatures, overheating easily in warm weather and becoming uncomfortable in cold conditions. While not the most active or athletic breed, Bulldogs make wonderful, entertaining companions for those who appreciate their unique blend of courage, gentleness, and unwavering devotion.
The Bulldog faces numerous health challenges primarily stemming from their distinctive physical characteristics, including their brachycephalic facial structure, compact body, and selective breeding history. The average lifespan of a Bulldog is relatively short at eight to ten years, significantly less than many breeds of similar size. The most prevalent health concern is brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, a collection of anatomical abnormalities affecting breathing that includes stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, and everted laryngeal saccules. This condition causes difficulty breathing, characteristic snorting and snoring sounds, exercise intolerance, and a dangerous propensity to overheat. Bulldogs must be carefully monitored in warm weather and should never be overexercised, particularly in heat or humidity, as they can quickly develop life-threatening heatstroke. Orthopedic issues are extremely common in Bulldogs, with hip dysplasia occurring at very high rates due to their unusual skeletal structure where the hips are positioned above the shoulder line. This abnormal conformation causes the femur to fit poorly in the hip socket, creating instability that leads to arthritis and potential bone fractures over time. Many Bulldogs also experience elbow problems, intervertebral disc disease affecting the spine, and patellar luxation. Weight management is critical, as excess pounds exacerbate all joint and breathing problems. The breed is also prone to various eye conditions including cherry eye, entropion where the eyelids roll inward, dry eye syndrome, and corneal ulcers. Their prominent eyes and facial folds make them susceptible to irritation and injury. Skin conditions represent another major health concern for Bulldogs, with their characteristic wrinkles and folds creating warm, moist environments where bacteria and yeast infections readily develop. Regular cleaning and drying of facial folds, skin wrinkles, and the area under the tail is essential to prevent dermatitis and infections. Bulldogs are particularly prone to allergies affecting both skin and digestion, often requiring special diets or medications to manage symptoms. The breed has significant reproductive challenges, with over eighty percent of litters delivered by cesarean section due to the puppies' large heads potentially becoming lodged in the birth canal. Additional health concerns include heart disease, various cancers, and dental problems. Prospective owners should be prepared for potentially high veterinary costs and the commitment required to maintain a Bulldog's health throughout its life. Regular veterinary check-ups, preventive care, weight management, and careful monitoring of breathing and skin condition are essential for keeping Bulldogs as healthy as possible despite their genetic predispositions.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Bully Basset may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the Basset Hound and Bulldog to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.