Basset Bordeaux
8-12 yrs
60-145 lbs
14-30"
France

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Basset Bordeaux

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Dog Breeds
Basset Bordeaux

60-145 lbs

14-30"

France

Basset Hound

Dogue de Bordeaux

French Basset Mastiff

Affectionate but always on alert, the Basset Bordeaux was developed from its parent breeds – the Basset Hound and the Dogue de Bordeaux. Both breeds originated in France and it is believed that the initial crossbreeding also occurred in the country. Although the exact date of the Basset Bordeaux is unknown, it is suspected that the Basset Bordeaux was developed fairly recently (as early as 20 years ago). Its original purpose was to trail rabbits and serve as a watchdog. It now mostly serves as a loyal companion. The Basset Bordeaux most closely resembles the giant breed Dogue de Bordeaux in appearance. Its coat is smooth, shiny and dense. Its height drastically varies due to the difference in heights between the Basset Hound and the Dogue de Bordeaux. There is no officially documented height for the Basset Bordeaux and no current standard. The Basset Bordeaux is said to have inherited traits from both parent breeds and can come across as gentle, social, and loving. The breed is said to engage in occasional barking. Due to its short coat, the Basset Bordeaux requires simple maintenance for grooming upkeep.

                
                Purpose
              
Companion, Watchdog

                Date of Origin
              
Unknown

                Ancestry
              
Basset Hound, Dogue de Bordeaux

Basset Bordeaux Health

Average Size

Height: 14-30 inches Weight: 70-145 lbs

Height: 14-30 inches Weight: 60-145 lbs

Major Concerns

Entropion
Ectropion

Minor Concerns

None

Occasional Diagnoses

Patellar Luxation
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Otitis Externa

Occasional Tests

X-Rays
Physical Examination
Optical Examination
Complete Blood Test

Basset Bordeaux Breed History

While the exact origination of the Basset Bordeaux is unknown, it is suspected that the breed originated where both parent breeds came from – France. The Basset Bordeaux is believed to have originated about 20 years ago when the hybrid breed began to rise in popularity in order to decrease breed diseases. The Basset Bordeaux originated from the Basset Hound and the Dogue de Bordeaux. The Basset Hound was originally bred to trail hares and rabbits while the Dogue de Bordeaux was used as a watchdog. The Basset Hound can be traced back to before the French Revolution began. Experts believe the Basset Hound originated from the Friars of the French Abbey of St. Hubert. It is believed the Basset Hound was bred to have short, stocky legs in order to decrease its pace in the field. After the French Revolution, the Basset Hound was documented with commoners and hunters who favored the breed because of its slow pace and their ability to keep up with the breed. The Basset Hound was loved for its strong ability to provide scent to hunters. In the late 1800s, the Basset Hound was crossbred with the Bloodhound in order to increase its length. In 1935, the Basset Hound was recognized by the American Kennel Club. The Dogue de Bordeaux was originally bred to be used as a powerful watchdog and cattle driver in the Middle Ages. The breed was used to defend estates in the French Revolution, which drastically decreased the population. Raymond Triquet is often credited with saving the Dogue de Bordeaux from extinction. The Basset Bordeaux is not officially recognized by the AKC due to its hybrid status.

Basset Bordeaux Breed Appearance

The Basset Bordeaux closely resembles one of its parent breeds – the Dogue de Bordeaux. It is a stocky, muscular breed with straight front legs. Its body is thick with a short back. Its exact size can vary from medium to giant size. It has a huge and heavy head but is not quite as wrinkled as the Dogue de Bordeaux and this interesting hybrid sports some loose skin around the neck. Its tail is thick at the base but tapers towards the end. The coat of the Basset Bordeaux is dense, short, and smooth and can vary from light fawn to dark fawn. Occasionally you may see additions of black and white to the fawn, depending if Basset Hound colors prevail. Its eyes are dark in color and its nose is black.

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Coat Color Possibilities

Fawn

Black

White

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Basset Bordeaux Breed Maintenance

The Basset Bordeaux is not considered to be hypoallergenic and can excessively shed. Its coat is dense, short, and smooth. It is recommended to brush its coat daily with a rubber curry brush which will eliminate dead hairs and cut down on the shedding. Using a slicker brush may be useful during times of heavy fur loss. Bathing your Basset Bordeaux should be limited to every 6 to 8 weeks, unless it is excessively dirty. The ears should be regularly wiped and cleaned to avoid excessive moisture within that can lead to yeast proliferation. Its teeth should be brushed weekly. Its nails should be trimmed or filed every 2 to 3 weeks to prevent overgrowth or cracks in the nail. The Basset Bordeaux is known to drool; it is important to maintain cleanliness around the mouth area to cut down on odor and bacteria formation.

Brushes for Basset Bordeaux

Slicker Brush

Comb

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Basset Bordeaux Temperament

The Basset Bordeaux has a temperament indicative of both parent breeds – the Basset Hound and the Dogue de Bordeaux. The breed is good-natured, calm, curious, and affectionate. The Basset Bordeaux makes for a great choice for new owners due to its calm demeanor. The Basset Bordeaux is also excellent with children and strangers. The Basset Bordeaux would benefit from early training in order to fully accept those it is unfamiliar with. It may require some early exposure to other animals but does get along well with others. The Basset Bordeaux has low energy levels and may be slightly challenging to motivate. As far as the parent breeds go, the Basset Hound is known to be stubborn to train while the Dogue de Bordeaux is laid-back in training. The Basset Bordeaux may require some extra training to ensure it remains ready to learn. Positive reinforcement will work best with this breed and remaining consistent is key. Once the Basset Bordeaux is fully trained, it makes for a wonderful companion.

Basset Bordeaux Activity Requirements

It is essential for your Basset Bordeaux, despite his easy going, couch potato attitude, to keep active in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The Basset Bordeaux has a low activity level and would be happy enough to lounge on the couch with you all day while you binge-watch TV shows. The Basset Bordeaux would fare best in either an apartment with a yard or a home with a yard. If you provide your Basset Bordeaux with 2 walks throughout the day and engage in some play, your Basset Bordeaux will be ready to call it a day. The Basset Bordeaux would thrive in urban and rural areas as well as a warm climate. It is best to keep the Basset Bordeaux from exposure to extreme climates.

Activity Level

                  Low
                  Medium
                  High
                
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
5 miles

Minutes of Activity Per Day
20 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Basset Bordeaux

Similarly Sized Breeds to Basset Bordeaux

Basset Bordeaux Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
Daily Cost
$1.50 - $1.90
Monthly Cost
$39.00 - $52.00

Written by Kathleen Egger

Published: 11/01/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

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