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Bowzer (Basset Hound & Mini Schnauzer Mix): Info, Pics, Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Bowzer (Basset Hound & Mini Schnauzer Mix)

Height: 13 – 15 inches
Weight: 20 – 50 pounds
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Colors: Black, white, silver, brown
Suitable for: Companionship, guarding, apartments, large homes, families
Temperament: Loving affectionate, down to earth

The Bowser is a mixed breed created by blending a Basset Hound with a Miniature Schnauzer. It has the hairy face of the Schnauser with a strong body. It has the short legs of a Bassett Hound, which causes it to be closer to the ground and run a bit slower than many other breeds this size. The weight can vary dramatically depending on which parent it takes after, and larger dogs usually have a shorter lifespan than smaller dogs. The Schnauzer lineage is apparent from a young age because of the excess facial hair, but you will not notice the Bassett Hound until it is fully grown.

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Bowzer Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

Both parent breeds are popular dogs, so they shouldn’t be too expensive, and your breeder should have no trouble finding a male and a female suitable for breeding, which will help keep the cost down. If your breeder runs genetic tests on the parents and puppy to make sure your dog is free from genetic defects, it could add to the cost of the puppy.

There’s more to consider than the price of the puppy when talking about how much a puppy costs. You will also need to purchase food, get them fixed, buy toys, get regular flea and tick medications, etc., which can add a considerable amount to the actual cost of your pet.


Temperament & Intelligence of the Bowzer 🧠

Since the Bowser is a relatively new breed, there is not much documentation on how they will behave as they mature. However, both the Basset Hound and Miniature Schnauzer are friendly and caring dogs, so it’s likely this trait will get passed on to the Bowser. It is suitable for family life and enjoys being around people. It will like to follow its nose like its Basset Hound parent, so you can expect to take frequent breaks while walking while it sniffs around all objects.

The Bowser is also extremely intelligent, though it may be stubborn at times. It can learn new tricks quickly and is a natural puzzle solver.

Are Bowzers Good for Families? 🏡

The Bowser makes a great family pet. It is laid back and doesn’t often get in the way of family activities. Its small legs help reduce the chances that it will knock over small children, and it’s friendly enough to play games. It doesn’t bark much, but it will let you know if an intruder is near and its great sense of smell can often tell a friend from a foe at a considerable distance.

Do Bowzers Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Bowser is a relaxed breed that usually can’t be bothered fighting with other pets in the house. It might be more likely to chase after cats or other pets at a young age, but they quickly learn to be friends and are never aggressive. Once they are fully grown, they will hardly notice other pets.

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Here are some things to consider before you purchase a Bowser.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Bowser is a deceptively large animal, and you can expect it to eat quite a bit. You will want to spread the food out over several meals to help prevent digestive issues and other problems like bloat, which often occurs when dogs eat too fast and swallow air. We recommend a high-quality food with chicken, turkey, lamb, or beef listed as its first ingredient. Foods fortified with antioxidants and omega fats are good also.

Exercise 🐕

The short legs of the Bowser are a big help when it comes to exercise. They can burn a lot of energy walking at a slow pace and usually only require a few short walks each day to stay healthy and happy. Most experts recommend about an hour a day or three twenty-minute walks. They also like to play catch and frisbee if you want to keep them in the yard.

Training 🦮

The Bowser breed is not difficult to train, but they can be stubborn if they don’t want to do something. The best way to keep this mixed breed interested in learning is to use plenty of positive feedback, which means extra praise and treats. Scheduling your session at the same time each day will also help to get them on a schedule that they accept and expect.

Grooming ✂️

The Bowzer will require a moderate amount of grooming that includes daily brushing and combing. It’s best to get this breed used to grooming at an early age, or you may get heavy resistance as they get older. Daily combing is required to remove food particles from the beard and eyebrows. You will need to brush daily to keep the coat free of tangles and knots, and you may also need to trim the coat from time to time.

Tooth brushing and nail clipping will also be part of a regular routine to keep your pet’s breath fresh and your furniture free of holes and scratches.

Health Conditions ❤️

Mixed breeds are usually fairly healthy when compared to their purebred parents, but some health conditions can still occur, and we’ll talk about them in this section.

Minor Conditions
  • Obesity

Obesity is a disease that can affect any dog, and unfortunately, in most cases, it’s directly related to overfeeding, which is completely avoidable. Obesity can affect your pet in many ways and can dramatically reduce their lifespan. Feeding your pet healthy food and making sure they get plenty of exercise is the best way to prevent obesity in your pet.

  • Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation is a condition that causes the kneecap to slip out of place. It slips because the patellar ligament that holds it in place stretches and can no longer hold it in place. Over time, it can seriously affect your pet’s ability to get around or to rise from a lying position. In some cases, an operation can help keep the kneecap in place, and medication can help ease any pain.

Serious Conditions
  • Thrombopathia

Thrombopathia is a condition the affects the blood’s platelets, which affect the blood’s ability to clot correctly. This condition can lead to excessive bleeding, even from small cuts. Symptoms include excessive bleeding and bleeding from the nose. In some cases, symptoms can be relieved with medication.

  • Megaesophagus

Megaesophagus is a condition that causes the esophagus to dilate and lose its ability to move food to the stomach, which can cause food to build up in the esophagus. Continuous regurgitation is a  common sign of megaesophagus. Regurgitation is different from vomiting in that there are also signs of nausea accompanying the action. With regurgitation, there are no symptoms of nausea, and the action of regurgitation seems passive.


Male vs. Female

There is very little difference between the male and female Bowser as both are very similar in size and temperament. There will be a bigger difference based on what parent breed they take after more.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Bowzer Dog

1. The Basset Hound parent is originally from France and Belgium. Basset means “low” in French.


2. George Washington may have owned a Basset Hound.


3. Actor and martial artist Bruce Lee owned a Miniature Schnauzer parent breed.

The Parents of Bowzer
Image Credit: Jumpstory

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Summary: Bowzer Dog

The Bowser is a wonderful breed to have as a family pet. It’s great to have around children and shouldn’t knock them over because they are so low to the ground. They make great guard dogs without excessive barking, and they are suitable for small apartments as well as large homes.

We hope you have found this short guide useful and it has helped you learn more about this interesting breed. If you think it can be helpful to others, please share this Bowser complete guide on Facebook and Twitter.


Featured Image Credit: Pxhere

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