Basset Hound
About the Basset Hound
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 11-15" |
| Weight | 40-65 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
30 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $800-$1,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,200/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Basset Hounds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Seniors
Guides for your Basset Hound
The story behind the Basset Hound
French hunters developed short-legged hounds from the 1500s onward to trail hare and other small game at a pace men on foot could follow, and the word basset simply describes that low build. Monastery kennels and regional French breeders maintained several such types. English enthusiasts imported French bassets during the 1800s and crossed them with Bloodhound to add substance, head and scenting power, and the modern show Basset Hound took shape from that work, with British recognition in the later 1800s and American registration soon after. The breed became widely familiar through advertising and popular culture across the twentieth century. Today it is a common companion, still used for pack hunting of hare in some countries but far more often kept as a household pet.
Originally bred for: Hunting, Trailing, Pack hound. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Basset Hound
Weight control is the whole story with this build, so a measured moderate-calorie adult food and honest treat accounting protect a long back and heavily loaded joints. Puppies need controlled growth on a suitable formula, and slow feeding helps a low-slung deep-chested dog that bolts meals.
Watch for: Heavy pendulous ears and skin folds make recurring ear and skin irritation a familiar theme, sometimes linked to diet and often not, while world-class begging undermines any trial. Deep chests also favour unhurried divided meals. A veterinarian should supervise diet changes from the start.
Start with the Basset Hound feeding guide.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Basset Hound
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.