The French Bulldog Basset Hound is a great example of the new breed of hybrid dogs being bred today.
You can think of these dogs as the next generation of purebred dog breeds because that is exactly what they are destined to become.
Whenever a breeder decides to cross two different purebred dog genetic lines together, there is an end goal in mind. We will talk a lot more about what that goal might be in this article.
But first, let's take some time to get to know the French Bulldog Basset Hound, or, as many enthusiasts are calling this dog, the French Basset.
French Bulldog Basset Hound Mix
The French Basset is a puppy that has one purebred dog parent who is a French Bulldog and one purebred dog parent who is a Basset Hound.
Basically, this means that the puppy will inherit DNA from each different purebred dog line. However, it is impossible to predict in advance exactly which traits from each parent dog will influence each puppy in the litter.
This is part of the excitement and uncertainty of developing a new hybrid dog breed.
See a French Bulldog and a Basset Hound Dog Playing Together
This neat YouTube video made by a dog trainer can give you a good visual idea of some of the differences between the French Bulldog breed and the Basset Hound breed.
Keep in mind as you watch this video that your French Basset puppy could inherit traits from each of these dogs – what might that look like?
What Does "Hybrid Breeding" Even Mean?
If you are new to the world of dog breeding, the concept of "hybrid breeding" can certainly sound more than a little strange.
What does this term even mean?
If you look far enough back into nearly any modern purebred dog breed's history and lineage, you are very likely to find more than a few different dog breeds being crossed to create that breed.
In fact, the French Bulldog is a great example. These dogs were bred down from English Bulldogs and crossed with Rat Terriers, other Terrier dog breeds, and Pugs to become the beloved French Bulldog breed we know today.
Hybrid dog breeders will work with different generations of crosses. For example, the earliest efforts to create a new dog breed involve crossing two different purebred dog genetic lines together.
Here, the example would be crossing the French Bulldog with the Basset Hound. This is called F1 breeding.
But then a breeder may choose to cross the first generation of F1 puppies together to create the next level of the hybrid breeding program.
When one F1 puppy is crossed with one purebred dog (either a Basset Hound or a French Bulldog in our example here), this is called an F1b litter.
Then the breeder may decide to take their breeding program even a step further, crossing two-hybrid puppies together. This is called an F2 litter.
You can see how things can unfold from here, with F2b, F3, F3b, and so on, and so forth. With each new generation of hybrid puppies, the puppies become more like each other. Sooner or later, they become enough like each other that a new breed emerges.
This is often when the breeders involved in creating the new hybrid dog breed will band together, give their new dog breed an official breed name, form a club, and apply for purebred dog registration.
This is exactly the process that fans and breeders of both the French Bulldog and the Basset Hound used to get their dogs registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a recognized purebred dog breed.
It is particularly important for you to understand how this works in case you need or want specific traits in your hybrid puppy.
For example, if you really want a small size puppy, working with a later generation hybrid breeder is more likely to help you achieve this goal when you pick out your puppy.
The History of the French Bulldog and the Basset Hound
Learning more about the history of each parent dog's breed is a good way to consider what your French Basset puppy might grow up to be like.
French Bulldog history
The French Bulldog is the fourth most popular (out of 195 American Kennel Club registered dog breeds) purebred dog breed in America today.
These diminutive dogs may hail from a fighting and working dog background, but they have been beloved lap dogs for many centuries now.
Their history began when English lace workers migrated to France during the Industrial Revolution as jobs in the UK dried up.
This is why Frenchies were never really put to work but rather were kept as companions and lap dogs right from the start.
Basset Hound history
The Basset Hound is the 39th most popular (out of 195 American Kennel Club registered dog breeds) purebred dog breed in America today.
Basset Hounds are hunting and tracking hounds and have been from the start. They are low-slung, with long floppy ears and mournful expressions that endear them to owners worldwide.
These dogs are said to have only one superior in terms of their noses – the bloodhound.
French Bulldog Basset Hound Mix: Personality and Temperament
The big insights from studying the French Bulldog and Basset Hound personality and temperament will come from looking for key similarities and differences.
French Bulldog personality and temperament
Frenchies are playful and smart. They are real charmers and can make good family watchdogs.
They love to be loved, and for that reason, they tend to make nice with other family pets and get along well with people of all ages.
Basset Hound personality and temperament
Bassets are hounds through and through but are among the least high-energy hounds in the mix. These dogs live to sniff and make amazing tracking and nose work dogs.
They can be stubborn and rather lazy – at least until an interesting scent crosses their path. They do not make good watchdogs but are very patient with kids and other pets.
French Bulldog Basset Hound personality and temperament
What this overview indicates is that you are likely to get a medium to low energy dog in your French Basset. Your dog will likely enjoy brief periods of playtime and short walks interspersed with long, restful naps.
Your pup may or may not grow up to be a good watchdog, but will likely get along equally well with family members of all ages and be good with other family pets.
French Bulldog Basset Hound Mix: Size, Height and Weight
The size, height, and weight differences between the French Bulldog and the Basset Hound represent one of the biggest areas of difference between these two breeds.
French Bulldog size, height, and weight
For general purposes, the French Bulldog typically weighs 28 pounds or lighter and will stand anywhere from 11 to 14 inches tall (measured from the bottom of the paw pads to the top of the shoulders).
Frenchies have a stocky body with somewhat shorter legs thanks to the Pug influence.
Basset Hound size, height, and weight
Basset Hounds will generally weigh between 40 and 65 pounds and can stand up to 15 inches tall (paw pad to shoulder).
These dogs also have somewhat shortened legs and often appear at first glance to be all head, with their long, droopy ears and long faces.
French Bulldog Basset Hound size, height, and weight
You can likely expect your French Bulldog Basset Hound mix puppy to grow up to weigh between 25 and 55 pounds. This is a rather wide range, which is where choosing the hybrid breeder you work with care can be a great help.
The later generation hybrid dog breeders will be able to predict with more accuracy how large a given puppy in any litter may grow up to be.
French Bulldog Basset Hound Mix: Training and Exercise Needs
You have probably already figured out that neither the French Bulldog nor the Basset Hound is known to be a particularly active dog breed. Both can have periods of enjoyable exercise, but then they will be just as happy to have a long nap.
French Bulldog training and exercise needs
The French Bulldog can be a little more challenging to potty train and to train in general.
This is pretty common when you choose a dog breed that is known to have above-average intelligence. It is even more common with dogs that have been bred to work independently of their people.
However, positive reinforcement-based training with some patience can deliver good results as your puppy grows up.
Frenchies can live happily in small spaces and will typically be content with short daily walks and some indoor interactive playtime.
Basset Hound training and exercise needs
The Basset Hound can also be stubborn in training, especially if there is an interesting smell they want to follow or if the training sessions seem long or boring.
These dogs are smart enough to work consistently apart from their people, which also means stubbornness can creep in from time to time. Here again, using short sessions with positive reinforcement will give you the best results.
Basset Hounds, like Frenchies, will be perfectly happy with short walks and some indoor playtime each day. They can live happily in small spaces as long as there is a comfy couch to nap on.
French Bulldog Basset Hound training and exercise needs
It is easy to see why the French Basset is becoming a more popular hybrid dog breed today. These dogs are mostly laid-back, easygoing, loving, and low-energy.
They live well in small spaces and do not require a lot of exercises to be happy. And they generally get along well with all family members and are welcoming to visitors.
Even if you encounter some stubbornness during training, by breaking up the training sessions and keeping instruction positive and reward-based, it is not likely you will run into any big training problems with a French Basset.
French Bulldog Basset Hound Mix: Shedding, Grooming and Coat Care
In the coat care department, both the Basset Hound and the French Bulldog are nearly the same. Both have short, neat, flat coats that don't need professional grooming or maintenance.
Both will shed year-round and seasonally. And both dogs will need regular brushing to keep their short, neat, flat coats shiny and healthy.
During the seasonal shedding periods, you may find it handy to brush your dog daily and keep a dustpan and broom, de-linting brush and vacuum cleaner handy.
French Bulldog Basset Hound Mix: Longevity and Health
It is always wise to learn as much as you can about the health background of any dog breed you consider making a lifetime commitment to.
French Bulldog longevity and health
In most cases, the French Bulldog can live 10 to 14 years.
The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) database lists these major known inherited health issues in French Bulldogs:
- Hip Dysplasia.
- Patellar luxation.
- Juvenile cataracts.
- Other eye issues.
- Autoimmune thyroiditis.
- Cardiac conditions.
Basset Hound longevity and health
Generally speaking, the Basset Hound can live 12 to 13 years.
The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) database lists two major knowns inherited health issues in Basset Hounds:
- Eye issues, including gonioscopy.
- Thombopathia.
French Bulldog Basset Hound longevity and health
Any reputable breeder should be willing to show proof that all required and recommended CHIC pre-breeding health tests have been done.
French Bulldog Basset Hound Mix: Is This the Right Dog for You?
Now that you have learned about the French Basset, do you think this might be the right dog for you?
As a freelance pet writer and blogger, Shannon is passionate about crafting knowledge-based, science-supported articles that foster healthy bonds of love and respect between people and animals. But her first and very most important job is as a dog auntie and cockatiel, tortoise, and box turtle mama.
