Basset Hound at a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height
- 33–38 cm
- Weight
- 18–27 kg
- Life expectancy
- from 10 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog. Not assessed yet: Shedding.
Is the Basset Hound right for you?
Like every breed, the Basset Hound is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You have children and can supervise them with the dog.
- You can give around an hour of exercise a day.
- You have, or would like, another dog.
- You would like a coat that is fairly easy to look after.
Consider another breed if…
- The dog would regularly be left alone for long working days.
- You live in a flat or a small home.
- You would find barking hard to live with.
- You want a dog that picks up training quickly.
How would the Basset Hound fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is a substantial dog on short legs, with long ears, loose skin and one of the best noses in the dog world. Despite its serious, rather mournful expression, it is typically sociable, calm and quietly playful, and is now a popular family dog.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Medium
A mid-sized dog.
- Exercise
Moderate
Typically around an hour of exercise a day.
- Energy level
Usually calm
Tends to be calm and settled around the home.
- Grooming
Weekly
The coat usually needs brushing about once a week.
- Shedding
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Trainability
Independent
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps.
- Good with children
Often good
Often good with children, with supervision.
- Good with other dogs
Usually sociable
Usually sociable with other dogs.
- Good with cats
Varies
Varies with the individual dog.
- Suits first-time owners
Some experience helps
Some dog experience helps.
- Barking / vocality
Can be vocal
Often quick to bark at visitors or unusual sounds.
- Time alone
Prefers company
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
The name comes from the French word bas, meaning low. Short-legged hounds were useful in France to hunters who followed their dogs on foot, and they were used for rabbit, hare and other small game. French hounds from Artois and Normandy were being imported into England by the 1860s.
In the 1870s Everett Millais played a key role in developing the modern English type, refining it with Beagle and Bloodhound lines. The Basset Hound Club was founded in 1884, and Queen Alexandra kept Basset Hounds at Sandringham. The breed's long ears help hold scent close to the nose, and its loose skin once protected it in dense undergrowth.
Basset Hound temperament
Basset Hounds are typically gentle, placid dogs that get along with most people and situations if well socialised. They are affectionate with people they know and can be reserved with strangers.
They are very social and enjoy company for most of the day, so they suit a home where someone is usually around. They are known for being vocal, and many love to sing, howl and bark, so they are not the breed for anyone wanting a quiet dog.
Size and appearance
Basset Hounds are medium-sized, heavy-bodied dogs. Adults typically stand around 33–38 cm at the shoulder and weigh around 18–27 kg.
The coat is short and smooth. Breed standard colours are lemon and white, red and white, tan and white, and tricolour.
How much exercise does a Basset Hound need?
They may not look athletic, but Basset Hounds enjoy exercise and need at least an hour a day, at a steady, ambling pace. Without it they can become lazy and put on weight, which can lead to back problems. Daily scent games are a real joy for them.
Keep a firm grip on the lead in case they catch an interesting smell, and make sure your garden is secure with no way to escape. During periods of rapid growth exercise should be limited, and because of their long bodies, young Bassets should not use stairs until around 18 months old.
Training a Basset Hound
Basset Hounds can be very independent, especially when it comes to training, and once they find a good scent their recall is often unreliable.
- Start positive, reward-based training early and stay consistent throughout their life.
- Socialise your puppy with other people and dogs once fully vaccinated.
- Teach walking on a harness and lead, as recall outdoors is often unreliable.
- Look for scent work classes that play to the breed's strengths.
Basset Hound grooming
The short coat is low maintenance, and a weekly brush is usually enough. Basset Hounds do shed, though less than some breeds. Check and clean the skin folds, eyes and long ears often, keeping them clean and dry to help prevent soreness and infection.
Living with a Basset Hound
Basset Hounds are usually very tolerant and get along well with children, which can make them ideal family pets. They can accidentally knock small children over, and children should be taught not to take advantage of their good nature.
Teach children to approach and play with dogs gently and kindly. Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Children
Often good with children, with supervision.
Other dogs
Usually sociable with other dogs.
Cats and small pets
Varies with the individual dog.
Flats and smaller homes
Usually needs a roomy home.
Garden
A secure garden is strongly advised.
Being left alone
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
First-time owners
Some dog experience helps.
Basset Hound health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
Basset Hounds are prone to certain health problems, many linked to being bred for appearance. The Royal Kennel Club places the breed in Breed Watch Category 3, meaning some exaggerated features can cause problems, such as excess skin and long ears that can lead to skin fold dermatitis, and a deep body that can drag on the ground. Keeping a Basset slim matters, as excess weight can make many of these problems worse. Knowing about them helps you ask the right questions; it does not mean every Basset Hound will be affected.
Glaucoma and other eye problems
Primary open angle glaucoma is a build-up of fluid inside the eye that causes pain and can lead to blindness. The Royal Kennel Club recommends eye testing, including gonioscopy, under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme, and a DNA test for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG-3).
Elbow dysplasia
The elbow joint does not fit together properly, which eventually leads to arthritis. The Royal Kennel Club recommends elbow testing under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme.
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
Also known as a slipped disc, this can cause back pain and paralysis.
Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV)
The stomach bloats and twists on itself, which can be fatal.
Skin and ear infections
Basset Hounds are predisposed to skin infections, including a yeast infection caused by Malassezia, and to ear infections.
Lafora's disease
A DNA test for Lafora's disease is available, and the Royal Kennel Club recommends it as best-practice testing before breeding.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Basset Hound home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a Basset Hound cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Basset Hound home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 10 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Basset Hound
If you have decided the Basset Hound suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Basset Hound
Basset Hounds do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
Basset Hounds looking for homes
Live from Mypetzilla, updated as pets are listed.
Find Basset Hound adverts for sale and for adoption on Mypetzilla now.
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View breed guide
Basset Hound FAQs
Is the Basset Hound good with children?
Often good with children, with supervision. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Can the Basset Hound live in a flat?
Usually needs a roomy home. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
How much exercise does the Basset Hound need?
Moderate: typically around an hour a day. Puppies and older dogs need less structured exercise.
How much grooming does the Basset Hound need?
Typically: about once a week.
Is the Basset Hound easy to train?
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps. Kind, reward-based training works best.
Can the Basset Hound be left alone?
Usually copes only with short periods alone. Build up time alone gradually.
Does the Basset Hound bark a lot?
Can be vocal. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Is the Basset Hound good with cats?
Varies with the individual dog. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the Basset Hound live?
Typically from 10 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Basset Hound get?
Adults typically stand 33–38 cm at the shoulder and weigh 18–27 kg.