The Bowzer is the product of the mix between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Basset Hound. They’re very friendly and they make excellent companions to almost any type of person. They’re very active and require you to spend a lot of time with them, which means they’re not ideal for busy single people.
Bowzers can be a bit stubborn but they will always lighten up the mood in the house as they are natural social butterflies. They will make friends with anyone and any pet without much effort on your part. Their natural friendliness makes them a bad choice for watch duty if you don’t have to train them excessively.
Otherwise, the only way they’ll let you know that someone is coming is when they bark and jump from excitement. But they still make excellent pets, especially for large families. They also live between 12 and 15 years, making them a pretty big commitment.
Quick – Pros & Cons
The most important characteristics which made the Bowzer well known are intelligence, being social, alertness, and loyalty. More than that, they make excellent companions to people that love to travel and they need someone to share their adventures with.
They are a medium-sized cross breed and physical exercising is very important in order to stay fit and healthy. Their natural talents allow them to take part in contests and activities such as hunting, tracking, guarding, and jogging.
Pros
Intelligent
Social
Loyal
Very friendly
Excellent with kids
Great with other pets
Cons
They require quite a lot of exercise, making them a bad choice if you live in a small apartment and you don’t jog daily.
They’re not the best watchdogs.
Temperament
All the various characteristics found in both parents are passed on to the personality of the Bowzers and usually define their personalities. However, their temperaments are different from one litter to another.
The Basset Hounds are friendly, gentle dogs that usually find their place very easily within a family. They possess an excellent sense of smell and love to play. Despite their affection towards people and obedience, they can also prove to be very stubborn at times.
The Miniature Schnauzer is also a very intelligent dog, highly energetic, and gets along very well especially with children. These dogs have good watchdog abilities, but they need to be socialized properly and their master to be firm in their training.
Bowzers inherit their personality traits from their parents, therefore they get their loyalty and sociability from the Basset Hound and the alert behavior from the Miniature Schnauzer. They are friendly and get along very well with children and other pets, thus making very good family dogs.
Depending on the shedding characteristics they inherit and from which parent, the Bowzers can require minimal to moderate grooming. The Basset Hounds are constant shedders, while the Miniature Schnauzers are moderate shedders.
Is it good with children?
Bowzers are easily some of the most gentle dogs in the world, especially when it comes to playing with children. They don’t like playing rough so it’s important to teach your children some boundaries as well. Once that’s done, they will keep each other busy for hours while playing with one another.
These dogs thrive with bigger families as they always like to have something to do and they’re very intelligent. This makes them perfect playmates for active children, and it’s even better if you have a yard. But you should still keep an eye on them as Bowzers tend to have more energy than a small child can handle.
Behavior towards strangers
Bowzers are naturally extremely social and they will become friends with anyone. You will have a bit of a hard time teaching them that it’s not OK to jump on everyone. And they might get you a few looks from bypassers that don’t like having dogs coming up to them. But they learn quickly and they’re only doing it because they love to meet everyone.
This also means that you won’t have to panic when you have guests over and you forgot to lock the dog in a separate room. He’ll immediately come to check everyone out and introduce himself with lots of excitement.
How it does with other pets/dogs
A Bowzer will also welcome any new pet in the house as they see them as potential playmates. They’re very gentle and will try their best to beg every pet you have to play with them. And while this can be adorable, cats won’t like your Bowzer as they don’t like being bothered.
This means you will have to spend a bit of time training them that they can’t bother the cat if it doesn’t like to play. Bowzers are quick learners and you won’t waste too much time on this. But it’s a very important thing to do as sometimes their over-excitement can make them seem a bit mean.
Aggressiveness of a Miniature Schnauzer and Basset Hound Mix
Bowzers are as far from being an aggressive breed as possible. They can naturally get a bit angry if a child pulls its ears or fur too hard but they rarely bite. This is why they might get scared and hide if there’s a fight in the house and people are shouting.
Treating the dog too roughly during training can turn them aggressive as well. They’re very sweet creatures and prefer calm and energetic environments. If you know that someone in the family tends to lose their temper and shout at the pets, this dog is not the best choice. They can get depressed very fast, especially when they’re scolded for something they don’t understand.
Does it bark a lot?
Bowzers are not excessive barkers but they’re still not quiet enough to be kept in an apartment. While they need training to know that you want to be announced when someone is coming, they are still very alert. This means they might bark in the middle of the night without a reason from time to time.
This behavior can be discouraged by training them not to bark during the night. They’re always excited about everything so you might need to allow them some time to start complying before getting frustrated. And if your way doesn’t seem to work, there’s always a dog trainer around that can help you out.
Appearance and Grooming
A Bowzer will look a lot like the Miniature Schnauzer parent at first glance, while the body type is of a Basset Hound, regardless if it’s a 50%-50% mix or if it has some other dog genes as well. While the temperament and personality are usually like the Basset Hound, their appearance is unmistakeably similar to both parents. You should also keep in mind that these mixes don’t look too different from one another.
But when it comes to shedding, the dog can take it from either of its parents. Some Bowzers only need a quick brush every week or so, while others need daily brushing. It’s the luck of the draw and you can’t figure out much before the first shedding season comes.
How big does it get?
Bowzers are some of the few dogs that don’t have a big difference between males and females. Typically, males tend to grow bigger and taller than females. But any Bowzer can grow up to 13-15 inches tall and weigh between 20 and 50lbs.
This makes them a medium breed of dog, which means you will need to make sure it has the necessary space in your house. They can thrive in apartments as well if they have everything they need and their daily exercise.
These dogs won’t grow bigger than 15 inches tall but since they are very active, they need a bigger play area than most apartment dogs.
What does a Bowzer look like?
Bowzers will have the fur, beard, and sometimes the ears of the Schnauzer parent, which will make it difficult to notice that their bodies are actually similar to the Basset Hound. This means that they have short legs and their bodies are quite long as well.
More than that, you may think that the Bowzer is all fur but they can actually have deep chests and be quite heavy. And sometimes, their ears can flap over. It won’t take long to fall in love with one of these dogs as they have a very friendly expression and soul-reaching eyes.
Appearance and color
Most Bowzer puppies inherit the looks of the mothers, the Basset Hound, but also the build: they are heavy, but short dogs. Their muzzles are heavy and deep and bear tapers at the top. Even if the dogs bark very badly at you, they still look very adorable and sweet, which means they are not the dogs to have if you’re trying to intimidate a stranger.
The colors of the Bowzers can vary and they are usually one of black, silver and white, but not limited to these only. They can also have a cream, brown, or brindle color, but they’re not as common. Most of the time, they are black with a few silver and white hairs around the legs, chest, and head.
When it comes to their eye color, they can have either hazel or brown eyes, and brown eyes are the most popular among them. And their noses are typically black, but they can be brown as well.
Type of coat
Their coat is harsh and rough and can sometimes be wiry. With regards to shedding, Bowzers are normal shedders. Their medium-to-dense coats are also typically medium-length and you might get away with regular brushing. But you should be careful when the shedding season comes, especially if your dog tends to spend a lot of time on the couch.
If they’re heavy shedders, you might want to train them to never get on the couches as you’ll have a hard time getting rid of the hair. Other than that, their coats can be quite soft, which is a big plus when you’re snuggling with them.
How easy it is to groom?
The grooming part can be a bit time-consuming, especially if they’re heavy shedders. If they only need weekly brushing, you’re in luck. But they most likely shed a lot and you will need to save at least 30 minutes a day to grooming your dog. Bathing is rarely necessary.
You will need to brush their teeth every single day with a canine toothbrush and toothpaste and then clean their ears very well. There are wax softeners available that can be poured inside the ear. Then you need to massage it for a few minutes and clean everything with a dog ear cotton wool. Nails should only be clipped when necessary.
When it comes to brushing, it’s best to invest in a pin brush, slicker brush, and a dematter. It’s best if you use all three brushed every day, and make sure there are no tangles either. This will help the dog keep a very beautiful and healthy coat.
Care Guide – Diet, Exercise & Health Issues
These dogs require daily exercise so they can remain healthy and happy. They have lots and lots of energy, which means you will have to find a good way for them to burn it off. You should talk to your vet about your dog’s needs as some might have special needs.
A trip to the vet should always include talking about the dog’s diet as dogs need another type of food as they get older. An allergic reaction to something or an accident is another reason why your dog might need to make some changes. Keep your vet informed so that your dog can benefit from the best life.
Diet Tips: What does it eat?
Bowzwers don’t have any special dietary needs unless they have some type of problem from birth and your vet suggests a special diet. This means that all you have to do is make or buy food for your dog that is specifically formulated for medium-sized dogs with high levels of energy.
Lots of dogs have a tendency to eat very fast and this can be very dangerous, even lethal. If the dog can’t be trained to control itself while eating, you can invest in a slow feeder. They’re specifically designed for dogs that eat dangerously fast. There are models for both dry and wet food.
Exercise Requirements: Keeping the dog in shape
From a physical activity point of view, Bowzers require a medium level of exercising, but outdoor sessions need to take place regularly. Hyperactive in nature, these dogs require quite a lot of space to be available to them.
Even if they can adapt to living in apartments, they will require to be taken out on a daily basis, in order to help them burn the excess energy. This is why they thrive in houses with yards. They love going wild and run at high speeds for at least a few minutes. And if you have multiple dogs, pay attention to the one with low energy levels as it might get pushed around by the others.
Common Health Issues for a Bowzer
The advantages of this hybrid dog have generated some discussions. Some breeders feel and support the idea that breed mixing leads to healthier dogs by providing a broader range of genes, but others suggest that this activity helps perpetuate and strengthen some defects in the genetic background.
It’s important to do various health tests every year so you won’t miss any diseases that could have been cured if caught early. This includes X-Rays, CT Scans, Physical Examination, Blood Work, Contrast Studies, and Radiography.
Thrombopathia, Megaesophagus, and Bloat are some major concerns that you should be aware of. Bloating is often caused by fast eating and it can be prevented by a slow feeder. Other minor concerns include Eye Problems, Patellar Luxation, and Von Willebrand’s Disease. You should also keep in mind that hip Dysplasia is common among old Bowzers.
Training a Bowzer
Given their intelligence, the Bowzers are highly trainable, but they require a consistent and firm, but gentle trainer. Harsh training never works, more than that, it can turn this sweet dog into an aggressive one. If you don’t have the patience to train your dog, a professional is always available and is even recommended to help you out when you’re training your dog the first time.
Any dog should know commands such as “ Sit ”, “ Come ”, “ Go ”, “ Paw ”, “ Wait ”, etc. This will also make future special training much easier. You will have to use a firm but calm and encouraging voice and always offer treats when it does well.
Obedience Training
Obedience training is a must for any dog, regardless if it’s aggressive or not. This will make the dog listen to not run in front of a car, not to chase that rabbit, not to do something dangerous, etc. There’s nothing worse than an undisciplined dog as it can create numerous problems for both you and other people.
Professional dog trainers can help you a lot if you have a stubborn and rebel dog. But whatever you do, don’t use force, screaming, and other intimidating tactics.
Socialization
Bowzers barely need any socialization as they’re natural social butterflies. They will make friends with any person or pet that accepts them. The real training is to teach the dog what is OK and what is unacceptable in public and with strangers.
Jumping on strangers should be highly discouraged as some people might even kick the dog to get it off, which can cause a lot of harm to a dog as small as a Bowzer.
Exercise requirements
Bowzers have high exercise requirements and should not be owned by busy people that don’t have time to walk them or lack a yard to which the dog has constant access. If you have a big yard, make sure you’re playing with your dog a few times a day and that it has lots of toys. Otherwise, it will start stealing shoes and other items that he can play with.
And if you live in an apartment, you will need to provide around 60 minutes of exercise a day. It’s highly recommended to walk your dog at least 9 miles a week.
Breeding & Puppies
For anyone interested in the breeding of dogs and crossing breeds, it is important to note that the mother should be the bigger mating partner, in order to lower the chances of complications when giving birth.
Breeders nowadays are not always using only purebred parents for crossbreeding and sometimes they use dogs which are already crossbreeds. Therefore, a 75%-25% mix between a thoroughbred Basset Hound and a first–generation Bowzer is known as an F1B Bowzer. If both parents are purebreds and the mix is 50%-50%, then this is considered an F1 Bowzer.
Finding a Basset Hound & Miniature Schnauzer Mix – Kennels & Pedigree
The Bowzers are recognized by the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the International Designer Canine Registry, the Dog Registry of America, Inc and the American Canine Hybrid Club, of which the latter two are only in the United States.
These dogs are not very hard to find but be careful of the breeder you choose to take your puppy from. A good breeder will answer any question you have with complete honesty and will let you see the mother and the rest of the litter. More than that, a good breeder will also seem annoying by asking lots of questions about your house, free time, income, etc.
How much does a mixed Bowzer cost?
Bowzers are anything but cheap. A puppy can cost anywhere between $500 and $1200, sometimes even more. It all depends on the breeder and who the parents are. And the more tests the breeder does, the more expensive the puppy will be.
One of these expensive tests includes a genetic test on both parents and the puppy to ensure the puppy is completely free from genetic defects.
History & Origins of the mixed breed
The Bowzer has no identifiable beginning, which is often very common with designed dogs. They have most likely been made in the late 1980s or early 1990s. So let’s talk about the parents to have an idea about where these dogs are coming from.
Basset Hounds have been developed in France to be low to the ground, which made them excellent hunting dogs for rabbits. Today, they are still very alert, making them great watchdogs. They can be pretty stubborn and don’t like being left alone.
Miniature Schnauzers have been around since the mid-1800s and they were made by crossbreeding the Standard Schnauzer with dogs such as the Affenpinscher, the Miniature Pinscher, the Pomeranian, and the Poodle. They were excellent farm vermin hunters and today they make excellent companions.
Conclusion
People need to be aware of all the aspects of a Bowzer in order to establish if these dogs are suitable for them. The key aspects are: the moderate maintenance (regular grooming for healthy and good-looking fur), the moderate to constant shedding (regular brushing will reduce the amount of hair around the house, while preserving a good aspect of the fur), high trainability (their intelligence allows them to learn commands easily, with few repetitions, which leads to quick positive results), pretty active (with a need for regular exercising in order to keep fit) and getting along very well with children and other pets, but with rather low abilities when it comes to watchdog (they are not expected to alert the owners when they sense the presence of intruders).
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