France
Weight
40-65 lb
Height
11-15 in
Lifespan
10-12 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
The Basset Hound is a low, heavy-boned scent hound with long ears, a powerful nose, friendly temperament, and serious weight-management needs.
Official, native, and commonly used variants
No widely used alternate names are recorded for this breed.
Weight
40-65 lb
Height
11-15 in
Lifespan
10-12 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
At A Glance
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Low
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
High
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
2/5
First-time owner
Yes
The Basset Hound is a scent hound of French ancestry refined in Britain, famous for its low body, heavy bone, long ears, loose skin, and deliberate movement. The word basset refers to low-set hounds, but this breed is heavier and more substantial than many other bassets.
Basset Hounds are usually friendly, patient, sociable, and persistent on scent. They may look lazy, but daily controlled walking is important because excess weight increases strain on the back, elbows, feet, and joints. Long ears and skin folds also require regular attention.
This breed can suit first-time owners and apartments when barking, stairs, weight, and ear care are managed. It is not a dog for off-leash freedom near roads or wildlife, and training works best when food rewards are used carefully without allowing obesity.
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a laid-back, friendly, patient companion, with daily rhythms shaped by low energy, moderate barking, and high drooling.
Coat type
Smooth
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Tricolor, Lemon and White, Red and White
Basset Hound can suit apartment life well because of its medium size and manageable exercise needs, but moderate barking still needs a plan. For the Basset Hound, hallway noise, doorbells, and window-watching are the main things to manage with calm routines and enrichment.
Basset Hound has a moderate barking profile, so owners should expect some alerting and excitement barking. Teaching the Basset Hound a calm response to door sounds, passing dogs, and visitors is easier than trying to stop barking after it becomes a habit.
Basset Hound training should use patience, food rewards measured into the daily diet, and practical repetition around recall, leash manners, and quiet recovery. Expect a nose-led hound rather than instant obedience.
The Basset Hound's short coat is easy to brush, but ears, skin folds, nails, feet, and drool cleanup need routine attention. Keep the body lean to reduce stress on the long back and heavy joints.
Basset Hound needs about 30 to 45 minutes a day for many healthy adults, built from two modest walks, indoor play, and a little mental work. For the Basset Hound, build activity into most days instead of relying on one big weekend outing, and mix in sniffing, training, or puzzle work so the dog has a mental outlet as well as physical movement.
The Basset Hound's short coat is easy to brush, but ears, skin folds, nails, feet, and drool cleanup need routine attention. Keep the body lean to reduce stress on the long back and heavy joints.
Basset Hound training should use patience, food rewards measured into the daily diet, and practical repetition around recall, leash manners, and quiet recovery. Expect a nose-led hound rather than instant obedience.
Feed Basset Hound a measured diet appropriate for a medium dog, its age, and its activity level. For the Basset Hound, keep body condition lean, adjust portions when exercise changes, and ask your veterinarian about diet details if weight, digestion, allergies, or joint stress are concerns.
Energy level
Low
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
High
Watchdog ability
2/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Our Shop
Browse practical products for feeding, grooming, cleanup, enrichment, and smoother daily routines.
