lab/basset hound mix for hunting?

[MNBIGBEAR]

Looking at a lab/basset hound mix for a hunting dog. What do you guys think? From the pictures it appears the lab features are dominant.

[brian6715]

I have a lab/hound mix, and it is a great dog. He is 5 months old and listens better than most 5 year old dogs. I taught him how to shake in literally two seconds, just had to grab his hand once and say "shake." I don't hunt with him, but I know if I wanted to I could because he is so easily trained. I don't ever use a leash and he does not wander any farther than I let him.

Another thing, he has a nose that would put any labs nose to shame. My room-mate has a 6 month old lab, and my dog will find any tiny scrap of food well before the lab even gets a whiff of it. This could come in really handy if you are talking pheasant hunting!

[MNBIGBEAR]

The excellent nose and calm nature of most hounds that I have seen is what intrigued me about this mix. I would be using him for pheasant and grouse hunting and have always liked labs. My wife does not want a wild dog and I'm thinkin this might fit the bill. Thanks for replying!

[JayinMN]

Depending on how much hunting you do I would be worried about the confirmation of the dog. Most of the time basset mixes have horrible leg structure and will not be able to handle a lot of hard running. If you looking for a pet dog first, and then a bird dog second, I say go for it! I just wouldn't put a lot of expectations on it.

This is what I mean.

[MNBIGBEAR]

That is interesting. Is the leg thing something you can see even when they are a pup? Like I said, He looks more like a lab than a basset but tough to see from a picture.

[wormdunker]

Sorry but who in the H E double hockey sticks would do that to a dog? WTH? Knowing the drive and energy a lab has I find it hard to stomach how a person could cross breed a dog with leg structure like that. Man talk about screwing up a breed.

[JayinMN]

MNBIGBEAR, that puppy looks like its going to have regular sized legs. It also looks like he is at the Hibbing animal shelter? I recognize the kennels. They are just making a guess at what he really is and they come up with some creative mixes out there. I actually don't think he has any basset by looking at him. My friend got a 50/50 cross between the two breeds and all of the puppies had much shorter legs. Cute little puppy though....

[slabchaser]

When I was a teenager I had a basset/german sheppard mix.. great big body. little legs. great nose, loved to pheasant hunt and was good at it. Loved that dog.

[caseymcq]

So would you call the dog a bassador?

[JayinMN]

Yup Casey, that's what people who intentionally breed the cross sell them as, Bassadors.