Basset Hound
A low, heavy-boned scent hound with long ears and a gentle, easy-going nature, slow but very determined on a scent.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 33–38 cm · Females 33–36 cm
- Weight
- Males 23–29 kg · Females 20–25 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–13 years
- Exercise
- 45–60 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Tricolour, Bicolour, Lemon
- Bred for
- Hunting by scent, Companionship
- Country of origin
- France
- FCI
- Group 6, no. 163 · Scent hounds
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 5/5 – Very high |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 4/5 – High |
| Energy | 2/5 – Low |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 2/5 – Low |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 1/5 – Very low |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 4/5 – High |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a calm, friendly family dog
- prefer moderate walks
- enjoy a dog with character
Think twice if you …
- dislike drool or a loud bay
- need a dog that obeys quickly
- have many stairs at home
Care
Temperament
Gentle, good-natured and sociable, with a relaxed approach to life. Independent and stubborn when following its nose.
Exercise
Needs steady daily walks of moderate length rather than hard running; sniffing walks and tracking suit it.
Grooming
Brush the short coat weekly, check and clean the long ears and skin folds regularly, and wipe drool.
Training
Slow to obey and easily distracted by scent; patient, food-based training works best.
Health
Glaucoma, elbow and back problems, ear infections and skin fold irritation are among the known concerns, and dogs should not be overweight. Ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Eye examination
- Elbows (ED)
- Hips (HD)
DNA tests
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (ADAMTS17)
- Thrombopathia (RASGRP2)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Basset Hound descends from the low-set hounds of France, where short legs let hunters follow on foot. The breed as we know it was refined in Britain from the late 1800s, giving it more bone, weight and loose skin.
It is placid, affectionate and usually excellent with children and other dogs. It is also stubborn, vocal and food-driven, with a nose that can override everything else. Living with one means managing its weight and back, cleaning ears and skin folds, and accepting some drool and a deep, carrying bay.
Did you know?
The name comes from the French word bas, meaning low.