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Basset Hound vs Rottweiler Mix: Which Suits Your Home?

Basset Hound or Rottweiler Mix? On paper they differ most on good with other dogs, and on the scales Rottweiler Mix is the heavier at 80–135 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.

This is for someone already down to Basset Hound and Rottweiler Mix and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on good with other dogs and exercise need, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Basset Hound rates 4/5 against 2/5. Breed history is left out; what follows is what you will actually live with.

Quick verdict

Between Basset Hound and Rottweiler Mix, good with other dogs is what separates them, and Basset Hound is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.

Choose basset hound if...

Choose Basset Hound if you are in a flat or a smaller home, this is your first dog and your walking routine is modest.

Choose rottweiler secondary if...

Choose Rottweiler Mix if you do not want a standing grooming appointment, the dog will be alone during the working day and you want a dog that picks up training quickly.

Head-to-head comparison

Feature	basset hound	rottweiler secondary	Winner
Size class	medium	large	Equal
Weight	40–65 lbs	80–135 lbs	Equal
Height	12–15 in	22–27 in	Equal
Lifespan	10–12 years	9–10 years	basset hound
Exercise need	Low (2/5)	High (4/5)	basset hound
Grooming need	Moderate (3/5)	Low (2/5)	rottweiler secondary
Shedding	Moderate (3/5)	Moderate (3/5)	Equal
Energy level	Low (2/5)	Moderate (3/5)	Equal
Barking	Low (2/5)	Low (2/5)	Equal
Apartment suitability	High (4/5)	Low (2/5)	basset hound
Good for first-time owners	High (4/5)	Low (2/5)	basset hound
Tolerates being alone	Low (2/5)	Moderate (3/5)	rottweiler secondary
Trainability	Low (2/5)	High (4/5)	rottweiler secondary
Good with kids	Very high (5/5)	Moderate (3/5)	basset hound
Good with other dogs	Very high (5/5)	Low (2/5)	basset hound
Friendly to strangers	Very high (5/5)	Low (2/5)	basset hound
Cost level	Moderate (3/5)	High (4/5)	basset hound
Coat	Short, dense	Short, dense double coat	Equal
Origin	France	Various	Equal
Typical monthly cost	$80–$150	$110–$240	Equal
Typical first-year cost	$1,300–$2,300	$1,700–$3,200	Equal

Deep dive

Size and build

Same size gap as the purebred comparison: a rottweiler mix weighs 80-135 lbs and stands 22-27 inches against the basset's 40-65 lbs and 12-15 inches. Mixed heritage can shift these numbers dog to dog, but the listed range still puts this pairing solidly in different weight classes.

Energy and exercise

The gap here is real but softer than with a purebred rottweiler: exercise need rates high (4/5) for the mix against the basset's low (2/5), while energy level actually ties at moderate (3/5) versus low (2/5) -- a smaller spread than you'd see in the purebred comparison, likely reflecting the calming influence of a mixed background.

Grooming and shedding

Grooming favors the mix, rating low (2/5) against the basset's moderate (3/5). Shedding is an actual tie here at moderate (3/5) for both -- unlike the purebred rottweiler, which sheds more, this mix lands right where the basset does.

Apartment living, noise and time alone

The basset rates high (4/5) for apartments; the rottweiler mix rates low (2/5), still a big gap driven by size and exercise needs. Barking ties at low (2/5) for both, a pleasant surprise given the purebred's moderate rating. Alone tolerance actually favors the mix slightly -- moderate (3/5) against the basset's low (2/5).

Training and owner experience

Trainability rates high (4/5) for the rottweiler mix against the basset's low (2/5). But first-time-owner suitability still favors the basset by a wide margin -- high (4/5) versus low (2/5) for the mix -- because size and handling experience matter more than trainability alone when you're new to dog ownership.

Kids, other dogs and visitors

This is where the mix's temperament shows real differences from a purebred rottweiler: moderate (3/5) with kids, low (2/5) with other dogs, low (2/5) with strangers, all behind the basset's very high (5/5) scores across the board. A rottweiler mix's household behavior can vary more than a purebred's given the mixed ancestry, so treat these as a starting range, not a guarantee.

Health and lifespan

Lifespan runs 9-10 years for the mix against 10-12 for the basset -- close, with the basset holding a modest edge. Hip dysplasia is the one condition shared between their lists. The mix's own list -- elbow dysplasia, osteosarcoma, subaortic stenosis, cruciate ligament tears -- leans toward orthopedic and cardiac issues tied to its size and build.

Cost to keep

Cost level rates high (4/5) for the rottweiler mix against moderate (3/5) for the basset: $110-240 a month versus $80-150, and $1,700-3,200 in the first year versus $1,300-2,300. Slightly lower than a purebred rottweiler's costs, but still noticeably above the basset's.

Basset Hound vs Rottweiler Mix at a glance

Basset Hound weighs 40–65 lbs and lives 10–12 years; Rottweiler Mix weighs 80–135 lbs and lives 9–10 years. The two diverge most on good with other dogs, exercise need and friendly to strangers and 4 other rated axes. They are level on barking and shedding, so those cannot decide it. The comparison marks an easier option only where one exists. Facts like weight and country of origin are not scored. Both dogs are rated from the same dataset, which is what makes the numbers comparable with each other even though any individual dog sits somewhere inside its breed's range.

Frequently asked questions

Is a rottweiler mix as big as a purebred rottweiler?

On paper, yes -- this comparison lists the same 80-135 lb, 22-27 inch range. Actual mixed dogs can vary more than that, so treat the range as a guide rather than a guarantee for any individual dog.

Which is better for a first-time owner?

The basset, clearly -- it rates high (4/5) against the rottweiler mix's low (2/5). Size and handling experience outweigh the mix's high trainability score for a new owner.

How do they compare on shedding?

They tie at moderate (3/5) -- a difference from the purebred rottweiler comparison, where the purebred sheds more than the basset.

Which lives longer?

The basset, at 10-12 years against the mix's 9-10 -- a smaller gap than with a purebred rottweiler, but the basset still comes out ahead.

What does a rottweiler mix cost compared to a basset?

$110-240 monthly versus $80-150 for the basset, and $1,700-3,200 versus $1,300-2,300 in year one -- lower than a purebred rottweiler's costs but still a meaningful step up.

Do they share health risks?

Only hip dysplasia overlaps. The mix's list otherwise leans toward orthopedic and cardiac conditions -- elbow dysplasia, osteosarcoma, cruciate ligament tears -- tied to its larger frame.

Is a rottweiler mix good with other dogs?

Not especially -- it rates low (2/5) against the basset's very high (5/5). Individual temperament varies more in mixes, so early socialization matters even more here.

Quick answers

View more answers

Living

What's the overall pick?

The basset fits a first-time or lower-experience household better across nearly every measure; the rottweiler mix needs an owner ready for its size and more variable temperament.

Costs

What's the monthly cost?

$80-150 for the basset versus $110-240 for the rottweiler mix.

Behavior

What's the exercise need?

Rottweiler mix rates high (4/5); basset rates low (2/5).

Health

Which breed lives longer?

Basset averages 10-12 years; rottweiler mix averages 9-10.

Related DogBreedCompass guides

Basset Hound breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Basset Hound before deciding.
Rottweiler Mix breed guide – The same for Rottweiler Mix, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
Basset Hound vs Bulldog (English) – Bulldog (English) is the closest breed to Basset Hound on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
Rottweiler Mix vs Rottweiler – Rottweiler sits closest to Rottweiler Mix, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
What Basset Hound costs to keep – Anyone weighing these two is usually also pricing them, and the cost pages carry city-level figures.
Rottweiler Mix health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.

Related guides

Comparison

Important reminder

Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.

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