What do you get when an adorable Basset Hound and a stately German Shorthaired Pointer breed? A smart and lovely Basset Hound Pointer mix. A Basset Hound Pointer mix is a dog breed resulting from crossing a German Shorthaired Pointer and a Basset Hound.
In this article, we’ll learn about various factors regarding a Basset Hound Pointer mix, such as:
- How are Basset Hounds and German Shorthaired Pointers different?
- What is the personality of a Basset Hound Pointer mix?
- Do Basset Hound Pointer mix have health problems?
- How to groom and care for a BHP?
So, if you’re a new owner or thinking of adopting a Basset Hound Pointer mix, here are the things you should know.
Basset Hound Vs German Shorthaired Pointer
Similarities
- Since both breeds date back to hunting grounds, they both have high wanderlust potential. This means that they are quite curious beings and can get caught up in exploring the world.
- Both the dog breeds make great companions to children because of their loving and affectionate temperaments.
- When it comes to barking, both breeds are frequent barkers. Regardless, the Basset Hound is likely to bark more often than a Pointer.
- They are both adventurous and have high impulses to chase after something or catch them.
- They don’t do well if they’re left alone for a long time.
- Both breeds are excellent pet choices for elderly people.
While both the dog breeds have a friendly temperament and several similarities, some differences make them unique, such as their origin. The Basset Hound originated from France, while the GSP has its origin from Germany.
The friendly nature of the Basset Hound makes them an excellent choice for new pet owners. However, a GSP is not a recommendable breed for new and inexperienced owners. Here are some of the Basset Hound Vs Pointer facts you might be interested in checking out.
German Shorthaired Pointer
Quick Facts
Weight – 35-70 lbs
Height – 21-26 inches
Life Expectancy- 12-14 years
There are different species of Pointers, such as the German Wirehaired Pointer, German Longhaired Pointer, and more. The German Shorthaired Pointer, or GSP, is a magnificent dog breed with origins in Germany in the 19th century. In Western Europe, they have been around since the 1600s. They are excellent dogs used to assist in hunting both on land and on water.
These dogs have a bigger build and can grow taller than a Basset Hound by about 10 inches. They may also produce more litter sizes with 7-12 puppies than a Basset Hound with an average of 6-8 puppies.
The GSP is the winner when it comes to grooming and maintenance because it requires less maintenance than a Basset Hound. These independent dogs are highly intelligent and easy to train. Each GSP is unique, but they are commonly friendly towards people and other dogs.
The temperament of a GSP is bold, affectionate, boisterous, trainable, cooperative, and intelligent. They are one of the smartest and most clever dog breeds. They are very playful dogs compared to Basset Hounds and have high sensitivity. They can be average watchdogs or guard dogs.
German Shorthaired Pointers are called Pointers because they have been bred to point the way and lead the hunters during a hunt. If you’re wondering, you’ll find more information here on if modern Pointers naturally point.
Basset Hound
Quick Facts
Weight – 40-65 lbs
Height – 13-14 inches
Life Expectancy – 10-12 years
With the signature short legs and large droopy ears, the Basset Hound is a friendly dog breed that originated in France. They are bred to sniff and hunt in packs even today in both France and England.
Their scent and smell sense is so powerful that they fall behind only the Bloodbound. They are characterized by their short legs, saggy skin, and white-tipped tail and make excellent scent hounds in helping hunters catch hares.
Basset Hounds are quite loving and playful, with a goofy side. They are the descendants of the St. Hubert Hound. If raised right, this dog breed is the epitome of devotion, affection, and tenacity.
They usually require more grooming and maintenance than a Pointer. Additionally, they are prone to more health problems than a GSP, which means more frequent visits to the vet.
Basset Hounds are affectionate, sweet-tempered, friendly, gentle, devoted, and tenacious. However, they can be comparatively harder to train than GSP because of the lower degree of intelligence.
They are more sensitive than most other dog breeds. But when it comes to watching and guarding the house, these lovable pets do not make the greatest choice.
They like to sleep and can get lazy without proper exercise. Also, be careful what you feed a Basset Hound. These dogs are prone to overeat and gain excess weight and become obese. You also might want to be made aware that these dogs drool a lot.
Basset Hound Pointer Mix Pictures
Basset Hound Pointer Mix
As we can see from above, both a Basset Hound and a Pointer have unique personalities and attributes. When combined, they can turn into a new breed of wonder that would keep you on your feet. Here are some things you can expect from a Basset Hound Pointer mix.
Personality
When a Basset Hound and a GSP mix, the outcome is an energetic and inquisitive Basset Hound Pointer mix. Their personality can range from obedience to hyperactivity, so keep a lookout.
Since they’re social animals, you’ll find them more of an attention seeker. Be sure to give your time and affection to your pet. If you train them from an early age, they become quite tamed once they mature and get along with almost everything.
Health
Every dog has a chance to acquire health problems at least once in its lifetime. While some specific dog breeds are more prone to contracting infections and illnesses, some rarely require emergency vet visits.
If we look at the parents of a Basset Hound Pointer mix, the Basset Hound has a chance to suffer from various ailments while the Pointer has better immunity to health problems.
If you’re planning on getting a mixed dog breed, you can ask the breeder about the various health issues you should be concerned about. A good breeder is usually open about the potential health issues that the mixed breed might face.
Some of the most common health problems a Basset Hound Pointer mix face include CHD, entropion, gastric torsion, and elbow dysplasia.
Grooming and Maintenance
The frequency of grooming and brushing usually depends on whether the dog is a light or heavy shedder. Each dog may have differences in shedding, even if it is the same breed. So, keep an eye on your Basset Hound Pointer mix and see if they shed a lot.
You need not worry too much because both the parent breeds only shed moderately. But even if they do shed more than they should, it’s still easy to maintain good hygiene and grooming. All you need to do is brush and groom them more frequently.
A good vacuum is always there to the rescue of shedding hair or fur. Wash them periodically but not so much that it would dry their skin out. The recommendable period is to wash your puppy every 4-6 weeks.
Exercise and Training
Both the parent breeds of a Basset Hound Pointer mix are quite active and energetic. The mixed-breed dog potentially has an even higher energy level than its parent breeds.
So, to tame that wild spirit, they need long walks and hikes. This will reduce destructive behavior and keep them sane and content. Training shouldn’t be challenging as this is an intelligent dog breed. But if you’re not stern and firm with your training, they can act like the boss over you.
These are extremely clever dogs that train fast. Improve the training session and gain more productive results with positive reinforcements.
These dogs love to be praised, and they’ll be delighted to receive a treat for a job well done. Keep your dog exposed to other people and dogs as often as you can so that they learn to be sociable.
If you need an extra hand on training a GSP, you can check out one of these effective GSP training books for a successful training session.
You get the whole package when a smart and intelligent dog such as a German Shorthaired Pointer breeds with the loving and affectionate Basset Hound.
Make sure you take good care of your dog and give them enough time and attention. Like most dog breeds, this mixed breed doesn’t like to be left alone for extended periods.
So, give them love, expose them to people and other pets, and groom them often for a healthy and content relationship with a Basset Hound Pointer mix.