# Basset Hound — Dog Breed Guide

> The Basset Hound is a short-legged French scent hound bred to trail hares at a walking pace, recognised worldwide by its long ears, droopy eyes and deep, baying voice. Beneath the comical looks sits a heavy-boned, powerful dog with one of the keenest noses in the canine world, second only to the Bloodhound.

**URL:** https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/dog/basset-hound/

## What are the key facts about a Basset Hound?
The Basset Hound is a dog breed from France: medium (20–29 kg), easygoing, stubborn, friendly. Short legs, long ears, and a world-class nose for scent trailing.

| Fact | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Origin | France |
| Size | Medium (20–29 kg) |
| Weight | 20-29 kg (44-64 lb) |
| Lifespan | 10–14 years |
| Coat | Short, dense, hard and weather-resistant coat that lies close to the body, usually in tricolour (black, tan and white) or lemon and white. Despite the short hair it sheds steadily year-round, so a weekly rub with a hound mitt or bristle brush keeps loose hair down. The long ears and deep facial folds need regular cleaning and drying to prevent infection, and the breed has a noticeably 'houndy' odour that occasional bathing manages. |
| Temperament | Easygoing, stubborn, friendly |
| Good with | A wonderfully patient, easy-going family dog that tolerates children and rubs along well with other dogs and pets, reflecting its pack-hound heritage. It suits relaxed households and even flats, provided it gets a daily walk, but its stubborn streak and nose-led independence make training slow, so first-time owners need patience and good humour. Off-lead recall is unreliable once a scent takes hold, and the deep bay can carry far. |

## Is a Basset Hound a good dog for you?
A Basset Hound is a good dog when your home matches a wonderfully patient, easy-going family dog that tolerates children and rubs along well with other dogs and pets, reflecting its pack-hound heritage. it suits relaxed households and even flats, provided it gets a daily walk, but its stubborn streak and nose-led independence make training slow, so first-time owners need patience and good humour. off-lead recall is unreliable once a scent takes hold, and the deep bay can carry far.. It is a easygoing, stubborn, friendly medium (20–29 kg) breed from France.

Short legs, long ears, and a world-class nose for scent trailing. That one-line pitch is not a care plan. Factor grooming (Short, dense, hard and weather-resistant coat that lies close to the body, usually in tricolour (black, tan and white) or lemon and white. Despite the short hair it sheds steadily year-round, so a weekly rub with a hound mitt or bristle brush keeps loose hair down. The long ears and deep facial folds need regular cleaning and drying to prevent infection, and the breed has a noticeably 'houndy' odour that occasional bathing manages.), typical adult size (20-29 kg (44-64 lb)), and the health issues listed below before you pay a deposit.

Meet adults of the breed, not only puppies or kittens, and prefer rescue or health-screened homes. A Basset Hound that looks right in a photo can still be the wrong animal for a small flat, a full-time office job, or a household that wanted a low-energy companion.

## What is a Basset Hound?
The Basset Hound is a dog breed from France: medium (20–29 kg), easygoing, stubborn, friendly. Short legs, long ears, and a world-class nose for scent trailing.

Short legs, long ears, and a world-class nose for scent trailing. Origin is France; coat or markings are described as Short, dense, hard and weather-resistant coat that lies close to the body, usually in tricolour (black, tan and white) or lemon and white. Despite the short hair it sheds steadily year-round, so a weekly rub with a hound mitt or bristle brush keeps loose hair down. The long ears and deep facial folds need regular cleaning and drying to prevent infection, and the breed has a noticeably 'houndy' odour that occasional bathing manages..

Kennel and registry labels describe a type. Individual Basset Hounds still vary, and rescue animals may be mixes.

## Where does the Basset Hound come from?
Basset Hounds come from France. The Basset Hound was developed in France, where 'bas' means low, by friars and hunters who wanted a slow, short-legged scent hound that could be followed on foot rather than horseback while tracking hare and rabbit.

They descend from older French hounds, with the St Hubert (Bloodhound) line contributing to their tracking ability, and were refined in both France and Britain during the 19th century. British breeders, including those associated with Lord Galway and Sir Everett Millais, helped standardise the modern type after the breed appeared at English shows in the 1870s. The breed later gained huge popular affection through advertising and cartoons, cementing its image as the soulful, long-eared hound.

## How much care does a Basset Hound need?
Plan 10–14 years of food, vet care, grooming and time. A Basset Hound is medium (20–29 kg) (20-29 kg (44-64 lb)) from France, with coat care described as short, dense, hard and weather-resistant coat that lies close to the body, usually in tricolour (black, tan and white) or lemon and white. despite the short hair it sheds steadily year-round, so a weekly rub with a hound mitt or bristle brush keeps loose hair down. the long ears and deep facial folds need regular cleaning and drying to prevent infection, and the breed has a noticeably 'houndy' odour that occasional bathing manages..

Match daily exercise to the easygoing, stubborn, friendly temperament rather than to Instagram.

Grooming follows the coat, not a generic clip: Short, dense, hard and weather-resistant coat that lies close to the body, usually in tricolour (black, tan and white) or lemon and white. Despite the short hair it sheds steadily year-round, so a weekly rub with a hound mitt or bristle brush keeps loose hair down. The long ears and deep facial folds need regular cleaning and drying to prevent infection, and the breed has a noticeably 'houndy' odour that occasional bathing manages.. Keep the animal lean; extra weight is a joint and heart tax, especially in a medium dog.

Budget for unexpected vet bills. The health section below is why “cheap to buy” is not the same as cheap to keep.

## What surprises people about the Basset Hound?
- Its ears are not just for show: the long flaps sweep ground scent upward toward the nose, while the loose facial folds trap and hold odour particles as the dog trails.
- The Basset's nose is among the most powerful of any breed, carrying roughly 220 million scent receptors and ranking just behind the Bloodhound for tracking ability.
- Despite standing only about 33-38 cm tall, a Basset is surprisingly heavy and dense, often weighing as much as dogs that stand far taller.
- Because they are so heavy-bodied and short-legged, many Bassets are poor swimmers and can struggle to keep their long frame afloat, so water needs supervision.

## What health issues should you know about in a Basset Hound?
_General guidance, not veterinary advice — always speak to your vet._

- **Ear infections** — Ear infections can occur in this breed and may need veterinary monitoring. _Care:_ Discuss prevention and treatment with your vet.
- **Obesity** — Excess weight strains joints and organs and shortens lifespan. _Care:_ Measure meals, limit treats, and maintain daily exercise appropriate for the breed.
- **Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)** — Disc material presses on the spinal cord, causing back pain or paralysis in long-backed breeds. _Care:_ Prevent jumping from heights, maintain healthy weight, and treat back pain as an emergency if legs fail.

## Who should skip a Basset Hound?
Skip a Basset Hound if you are first-time owners hoping the animal will train itself. This France dog is medium (20–29 kg) and easygoing, stubborn, friendly — the mismatch is usually lifestyle, not a missing accessory.

This page is allowed to say no. Skip if you are first-time owners hoping the animal will train itself.

A different dog breed on this site may fit. Wanting “a Basset Hound” after a film or a colour photo is not a reason to ignore the skip list.

## What are the hidden catches with a Basset Hound?
The hidden cost of a Basset Hound is usually not the purchase price. It is years of care, the health list on this page, and the mismatch between a easygoing, stubborn, friendly animal and a busy home.

### The impulse-buy catch
A Basset Hound from France is often sold on looks. Coat, colour and size are not a temperament test. Meet the adult animal, ask about health screening, and walk away from pressure sales.

### The ear infections catch
Ear infections can occur in this breed and may need veterinary monitoring. Discuss prevention and treatment with your vet.

### The obesity catch
Excess weight strains joints and organs and shortens lifespan. Measure meals, limit treats, and maintain daily exercise appropriate for the breed.

## How does a Basset Hound compare with Akita and Alaskan Malamute?
A Basset Hound is not interchangeable with Akita and Alaskan Malamute. Compare origin, size, lifespan and temperament before you choose — those four lines prevent most regret.

| Dog fact | Basset Hound | Akita | Alaskan Malamute |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Origin | France | Japan | United States (Alaska) |
| Size | Medium (20–29 kg) | Large (32–59 kg) | Large (34–45 kg) |
| Lifespan | 10–14 years | 10–14 years | 10–14 years |
| Temperament | Easygoing, stubborn, friendly | Loyal, dignified, reserved | Affectionate, strong, playful |

## What is the verdict on the Basset Hound?
Choose a Basset Hound only if the care, skip-if and health sections still look like your life after a week of thinking. Otherwise pick a different dog or wait. Rescue is usually the better first door than a waiting-list puppy or kitten.

If the match is real, budget for 10–14 years of vet care and do not skip health screening. If it is not, walking away is the kind choice — for you and for the animal.

## What do people ask about this breed?
### Do Basset Hounds bark or howl a lot?
Bassets are vocal by nature. As scent hounds bred to signal a trail, they have a deep, far-carrying bay and a tendency to howl, especially when bored, lonely or excited. They are not constant barkers, but the volume is considerable for the size of dog, which can be an issue in flats or with close neighbours. Early training and good company help keep noise reasonable.

### Are Basset Hounds easy to train?
Not especially. Bassets are intelligent but famously stubborn and easily distracted by interesting smells, so they train slowly and respond poorly to repetition or harsh handling. Short, positive, food-motivated sessions work best, and recall is often unreliable outdoors because the nose overrides commands. With patience and consistency they learn well; first-time owners should simply expect a slower journey than with eager-to-please breeds.

### How much exercise does a Basset Hound need?
A Basset needs moderate daily exercise, typically a couple of relaxed walks adding up to around an hour, plus chances to sniff and explore. They have real stamina from their hunting background but are not built for running or jumping, which strains their long back and heavy frame. Keeping them lean is vital, as excess weight worsens joint and spinal strain. Mental scent games tire them as much as walking.

### Are Basset Hounds good with children and other pets?
Yes, generally they are excellent. The breed is gentle, tolerant and rarely aggressive, making it a forgiving companion for families with children, and its pack heritage means it usually enjoys the company of other dogs. As with any dog, interactions with young children should be supervised. They can live happily with cats and other pets when raised together, though their hunting instinct may still stir at unfamiliar small animals.

### What health problems are common in Basset Hounds?
The breed's long back and heavy build make it prone to spinal and joint issues, and the deep ears and facial folds can develop infections without regular cleaning. They are also susceptible to bloat, eye conditions and obesity, which compounds other problems. These are general tendencies rather than certainties; for screening, prevention and any specific concerns about your dog, always consult a qualified vet.

### When is a Basset Hound the wrong choice?
When your home cannot match a easygoing, stubborn, friendly medium (20–29 kg) dog for 10–14 years. The skip-if section on this page is the short version; impulse buying is how Basset Hounds are dumped.

### How is a Basset Hound different from a Akita?
The Basset Hound is medium (20–29 kg) from France with a easygoing, stubborn, friendly temperament and a usual lifespan of 10–14 years. The Akita is large (32–59 kg) from Japan (loyal, dignified, reserved, 10–14 years). Those lines are the comparison; marketing copy is not.

### What should you know before getting a Basset Hound?
You need a plan for 10–14 years of care, money for the conditions listed under health, and a home that fits a wonderfully patient, easy-going family dog that tolerates children and rubs along well with other dogs and pets, reflecting its pack-hound heritage. it suits relaxed households and even flats, provided it gets a daily walk, but its stubborn streak and nose-led independence make training slow, so first-time owners need patience and good humour. off-lead recall is unreliable once a scent takes hold, and the deep bay can carry far.. Coat and grooming: Short, dense, hard and weather-resistant coat that lies close to the body, usually in tricolour (black, tan and white) or lemon and white. Despite the short hair it sheds steadily year-round, so a weekly rub with a hound mitt or bristle brush keeps loose hair down. The long ears and deep facial folds need regular cleaning and drying to prevent infection, and the breed has a noticeably 'houndy' odour that occasional bathing manages.. Meet adults, not only babies.

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*World Animal Rescue Network publishes these breed guides for owners and researchers. Learn more at https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/dog/.*