Jack Russell and Basset hound mix question:
My husband and I want to get a dog. Someone we know has a dog that is giving birth to a litter of puppies that are a mix of Jack Russells and Basset Hounds, and before we end up bringing one of them home, I want to find out as much as I can about this particular breed, especially about common medical issues and average lifespan.
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Answers and Views:
Answer by Stephen Johns
Two totally different breeds with VERY different temperaments. Who knows what you will get? Jack Russells are hyper and bark a lot and Bassetts are very laid back and howl.
Answer by Harry
Just to be clear--this is not a "breed". This is a hybrid that will have a mix of both breeds' traits.
They'll probably have a longer body and be relatively small. Jack Russells are terriers and like to dig, Bassets are hounds and like to bay (which is like loud barking). It could be energetic or a cuddle bug or both.
I think that that mix should be okay, and I know that people on here will say things like "go to a shelter" or "backyard breeder" but at least you're doing your part to keep those puppies out of a shelter. Just be cautious and make sure neither parent dog has any genetic illnesses that could be passed down to the pups.
Answer by Sydney
Jack Russell can be very active and bark a lot... Bassets can be very calm but DO howl. make sure you are fine with both of these traits... also Bassets shouldn't jump up and down from furniture because it is bad for their long back... So if you want a dog to jump up on the couch with you.. you should either find a new breed or Lift the dog up. I have heard that the hounds can have a strange scent but I have not smelled it first hand.
Answer by Mark
I had a Basset Jack for 14 years and it was the best dog I ever had. When he passed I was lucky enough to find another one at the pound. He's great as well. He's 2 1/2 years old. I've always had dogs but I can honestly say their brightness will liven up your home.
Answer by Gary Wolfer (in reply to Mark)
I also have a Bassett Jack Russell female, she’s only about 20 lbs, loves to run and hunt but listens very well when called. Very demanding and a beggar, good with large dogs, kind of puts them in there place but don’t warm up to little ones very well. She is kind of my dog but if I’m gone she is kind of protective of my wife. She sleeps with us and gets under the covers, if someone comes we know it, not aggressive but lets us know there is someone here.
She started out with young kids and was fine, but now she doesn’t warm up to them, I think it’s something that they need to live with and not just sometimes cause we’re older and have young ones only once in a while, we wouldn’t trade her for any other dog, love her to pieces, hope this helped
Answer by Zoe
BASSET HOUND:
Basset Hounds are an extremely stubborn breed but laid back, non-aggressive. Because of their stubbornness, they can be hard to housebreak. Great with children and generally good with other dogs. Not the most playful of breeds, but like to chase. They do require daily exercise.
Affectionate dogs, quiet (but noisy when needed to be) But keep an eye out. They are hunters if there are rabbits, squirrels near where you live ALWAYS keep him on a lead; otherwise, you will lose him. Make sure your yard is very secure, bassets will dig to chase smaller animals.
Be careful of the Bassets back, the spine is long and delicate and easily damaged.
Bassets live for food and will beg like they are starved! Use food when training them (if you're lucky to even get him to sit!)
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JACK RUSSELL TERRIER:
This breed can also be very stubborn, but they love to perform! They can be very assertive and won't do well in a restricted lifestyle - they NEED exercise or aggression can be a big problem.
Energy levels can be overwhelming for some people. Need a firm leader, or they will train you
Escape artist (need a secure yard, they can climb walls). Bark, dig, and scent follow a lot!
Bold and fearless - they will confront any dog when threatened, no matter how much bigger the other dog is.
Gentle with children, however, they do not tolerate the basic level of abuse, from anyone! (tugging ears, tail, etc is a BIG no-no)
Can become protective/possessive of family members).
The lifespan of Jack Russell and Basset Hound mix:
BASSET HOUND: expected lifespan for a well-bred and well-cared-for Basset Hound is 10 to 14 years with an average of 12 years.
JACK RUSSELL: The average lifespan is about 15 years, usually a little longer in the miniature, but many JRT's life into their late teens and beyond. My father had a JRT who lived to be 23 years old before dying from old age.
Know better? Give your own answer to this question!
Leslie Thomson says
I have a basset Jack Russell and he it is now 6 months old it took literally 6 months to get him toilet trained but he is really a great dog he plays well with my black lab boxer mix and stands his ground with him. He loves to fetch a ball. While he loves food , as long as I take him to the dogpark daily and have him chase a ball I think he will remain trim. He has a great personality. He has been a great addition to our family.
Leslie Blank Thomson says
I am updating my post 3 years later. Trevor my Bassett/Jack just died unexpectedly. He was an amazing dog and I would love to have another. He was a very active dog, loved to chase balls and go for long walks especially if he was allowed to go through the tall grass. He loved to be under the covers or near you. He got acute Leukemia. I had no idea he was sick till he stopped eating. In hindsight I noticed his breath was bad. He always had bad breath which I thought was odd for a young dog but never thought about it. Telling you all this so you pay attention to their breath. He died from the time he was diagnosed in 1 week. Needless to say my breath was taken away. If you have had one of these dogs you know how special they are. If anyone hears of another one available please let me know while I am not sure I could ever replace my Trevor.
RussianDog says
So sorry about your loss… R.I.P. good dog Trevor…
Mark E. Davis says
God bless you. Got two Basset/Jack mix brothers back in early August. Be 6 months old in a few days. Doing well with our other five dogs (mostly older). I’ve buried lots of pets (dogs, cats, horses, sheep) in my 63 years, and it never gets easier. If you’ve loved them well, fed and cared for them proper, you’ll never have too deep a grief when they pass. About five years back, one of our vets came to our little farm to euthanize a little shelter Yorkie we’d have for about three years. Was in bad shape when we adopted him, spent hundreds on vet care, and loved him like a child. (He, too, presented with bad breath several months before we noticed a black spot on his upper front gum and later died of cancer.) As Max was passing, and my wife and I sobbing in sorrow, our vet looked up to my wife, he was on his knees with Max, and said “He’ll be there when you get there.” In other words, he, too, believed our pets will be with us in Heaven. That’s stayed with me these past years, especially when I’ve had to bury other pets. The Bible talks about the lion and the lamb playing together one day in God’s eternal rest. Anyways, I’m awful sorry about your Trevor. May the good Lord lead to to another Bassett/Jack who’ll remind you of your little fellow.
RussianDog says
Thank you for your kind comment.
Donna says
I have a basset Russell mix. I absolutely adore him he is 13 now. He listens very well she’s very sweet in potty trained very easy. He looks more like a basset. That my baby has problems like Addison’s disease and a lot of fatty cyst. He’s never really had a problem jumping up on couch they’re not that high and he loves the attention. Sometimes he likes to be left alone as he is getting old. Love to go on walks does bark a lot when he wants something he’s a stinker I love him to death. His two front paws are like basset so he has arthritis I just gave him ProMedica Mobility temp and it seems to help him a lot.
Vic says
We have a Basset JRT mix. He is a great dog. Smart but with a strong will. I used a training collar and he has responded very well. Great dog. Yes, he is a bit of a barker but it’s worth it
Pieter says
I am looking for a jack Russel x basset puppy anybody know of any available
Angie says
I have a Jack/Basset…he’s a mess!! I got him when he was 6 weeks old and have had him him for 7 years. He was easy to house train. Has a very sweet demeanor, that is, right up until the past several months as he is getting older. He gets along well with other rescues that came into the home too. The only issue, and its not really an issue, is that he is a mouth! He loves to bark!! He barks at everything. He’s a great dog!!
Syndi says
I had what we lovingly called a “JACKETT” half Basset half Jack Russell. She was with us for almost 17 years. She was 2-1/2 dogs long and a half a dog tall ? She was the smartest, easiest to train, lovable beggar, she sat straight up on her butt with all those little short legs wiggling. Her rear legs were a tad longer than legs. The kids said she looked like a “low rider”. She would bark like an attack dog if anyone ever came to door, or she heard someone outside our home. She slept in bed at the foot of the bed. Ever watchful for her family. You would have thought she was a miniature of the Saint Bernard in the movie Peter Pan. THE BEST DOG EVER ❤️