Basset Hound

The Basset Hound is a short-legged scenthound built close to the ground for tracking game on foot. The breed stands no taller than about 15 inches at the shoulder but carries a heavy, dense body, so adults often weigh 40 to 65 pounds. The long ears, loose skin, and drooping eyes give the dog a famously melancholy look that contrasts with a calm, friendly nature.

As a scenthound, the Basset has one of the most powerful noses of any dog. Its sense of smell is second only to the Bloodhound among breeds, and the long ears and skin folds are thought to help trap scent near the nose during a hunt. Today most Basset Hounds live as family companions rather than working dogs, but the breeding for tracking still shapes how they behave: they follow their nose, move at their own pace, and can be slow to come when called.

The Basset is patient and tolerant, which makes it a steady companion in busy households. The same independence that suited the breed for hunting can read as stubbornness at home, so training takes consistency and patience.

Who the breed suits

The Basset Hound fits owners who want a low-key, affectionate dog and can accept a slower pace. It does well with children and other pets and tolerates apartment life if it gets daily walks. The breed is less suited to people who want quick off-leash recall or a jogging partner, since the short legs, heavy build, and strong nose pull the dog toward scents on the ground. Owners should also be ready for some drool, shedding, and a deep bark or bay.

The Basset Hound traces to France, where short-legged scenthounds were kept for hunting on foot. The name comes from the French word bas, meaning low, a reference to the dog's height. Hunters wanted a slow, methodical tracker that a person could follow without a horse, and the low build let the dog work dense cover while staying close to the trail.

Written references to short-legged hounds in France appear by the sixteenth century, and the type was associated with the work of French monasteries and hunting estates. These early dogs were used to track rabbit, hare, and other small game, moving at a steady pace so the hunter could keep up on foot.

In the second half of the nineteenth century, Basset Hounds were brought to Britain, where breeders worked to standardize their appearance and temperament. British and French lines were blended, and the breed gained popularity among sporting and show enthusiasts. The Basset was also exported to the United States during this period.

Through the twentieth century the Basset Hound became widely kept as a companion rather than a working hound, helped by its calm nature and distinctive look. The breed remains a recognized scenthound, and its tracking ability is still valued in trials and field work.

The Basset Hound is longer than it is tall, with a deep chest, heavy bone, and short, sturdy legs. Despite the modest height, the dense body gives the breed real weight and substance. The head is large with a domed skull, long drooping ears that reach past the end of the muzzle, and loose skin that forms wrinkles over the brow. The eyes droop slightly and show a soft, somewhat sad expression. The tail is carried up with a slight curve.

Coat and colors

The coat is short, smooth, and hard enough to shed water and resist brush during fieldwork. It lies close to the body and needs little trimming. The most common pattern is the classic hound tricolor of black, white, and tan, but the breed also appears in black and white, lemon and white, and red and white. Any recognized hound coloring is generally accepted. The skin is notably loose and elastic, which adds to the breed's folded look around the head, neck, and legs.

The Basset Hound is calm, affectionate, and easy-going. It bonds closely with its family and is patient with children, which makes it a steady household companion. With strangers the breed is usually friendly rather than guarded, so it makes a poor watchdog in the protective sense, though its deep bark and bay can announce visitors.

The Basset tends to get along with other dogs and, raised together, with cats and other pets. Its hunting background means it lived and worked in packs, so it is sociable and dislikes long stretches alone. A Basset left isolated for hours can become bored or anxious.

The independence that made the breed a good tracker shows up at home as stubbornness. A Basset on a scent may ignore commands until the trail runs out, and it can be slow to respond when distracted. Owners describe the breed as good-natured and laid-back but firm in its own opinions. Patience and routine work better than pressure.

The Basset Hound is moderate to care for, but its long ears and skin folds need routine attention to prevent infection. The short coat sheds steadily and benefits from weekly brushing.

Grooming

• Brush the coat weekly with a rubber curry or hound mitt to remove loose hair
• Check and clean the inside of the long ears at least once a week to prevent moisture buildup and infection
• Wipe the facial and neck skin folds to keep them dry and clean
• Trim nails every few weeks, since the breed is not active enough to wear them down
• Wipe drool from the lips and chest as needed
• Bathe occasionally, every one to two months or when dirty

Exercise

• Provide one to two daily walks of moderate length
• Keep the dog on leash or in a fenced area, since a scent can override recall
• Avoid hard jumping and stair climbing, which strain the long back and short legs
• Limit strenuous activity in hot weather, as the heavy build overheats easily

Environment

The Basset Hound adapts to apartments or houses as long as it gets daily walks and company. The short legs and long back make stairs and high furniture a risk, so ramps or steps help protect the spine. The breed tolerates a range of climates but does poorly in extreme heat. Because Bassets are scent-driven and not fast, a secure yard or leash is essential to prevent them from wandering off on a trail.

The Basset Hound should eat a complete, balanced dog food suited to its life stage and size. The breed is prone to weight gain because it is food-motivated and low in energy, and extra weight puts dangerous strain on the long back and short legs. Measure meals rather than free-feeding, and adjust amounts to keep the dog at a lean, defined waist. Fresh water should always be available.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to no more than about 10 percent of daily calories, and subtract them from meal portions to prevent weight gain. Use small, low-calorie treats for training. Joint supplements with glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids may support the breed's spine and joints, but introduce any supplement only after consulting a veterinarian.

The Basset Hound typically lives 12 to 13 years. Overall it is a hardy breed, but its distinctive build brings specific risks. The long back and heavy body strain the spine, the deep chest raises the risk of bloat, and the long ears and skin folds are prone to infection. Keeping the dog at a healthy weight is one of the most effective ways to reduce health problems.

Preventive care

• Keep the dog lean with measured meals and regular weigh-ins
• Clean ears weekly and dry skin folds to prevent infection
• Limit jumping and stair use to protect the spine
• Feed measured meals and avoid heavy exercise right after eating to reduce bloat risk
• Keep vaccinations, parasite prevention, and dental care current
• Schedule annual veterinary exams, and twice yearly for seniors

The Basset Hound is smart but bred to work on its own initiative, so it does not train as readily as a more handler-focused breed. It can be stubborn and easily distracted by scents, and harsh correction tends to make it shut down rather than comply. Short, upbeat sessions with food rewards work best, since the breed is strongly food-motivated. Recall is a particular challenge: once a Basset locks onto a scent it may ignore commands, so leash work and a secure yard are essential. Early, ongoing socialization helps the dog stay confident and friendly.

Basics

1. Start with name recognition and attention using high-value treats
2. Teach sit, down, and stay in short sessions of five to ten minutes
3. Build leash manners early, since the breed pulls toward scents
4. Practice recall in a fenced area before trusting it in open space
5. Crate train to give the dog a calm den and aid house training
6. Socialize with people, dogs, and new places throughout puppyhood

Basset Hounds reach sexual maturity between about 6 and 12 months, but responsible breeders wait until the dog is physically and mentally mature, usually around 18 to 24 months, before breeding. Health screening before mating is important given the breed's spine, hip, and eye risks, so breeding stock should be cleared for hip and elbow dysplasia and eye conditions.

Gestation lasts about 63 days. Litters are often moderate to large, commonly 6 to 8 puppies, though size varies. Because of the breed's heavy build and large heads, whelping should be monitored, and a veterinarian should be on call in case intervention is needed.

Newborn puppies are blind, deaf, and fully dependent on the mother for the first weeks. Eyes open at around two weeks and weaning begins near four weeks. Early handling and gentle exposure to sights, sounds, and people from a young age build the calm, friendly temperament the breed is known for. Puppies usually go to new homes at eight weeks or later, once weaned and started on socialization.

How to register a Basset Hound in the United States

Start with the profile. Add your Basset Hound's name, birth date, and a clear photo, attach your phone number and email, and save. That is the whole job, and it costs nothing for life. Dog registration works with or without a microchip, so there is no reason to wait for a vet visit.

The microchip needs its own registration. A vet implants the chip, but the number stays anonymous until you file it, and an anonymous chip cannot point anyone at you. Register the microchip with United Pet Club on the free lifetime plan: every brand a US vet implants qualifies, updates cost nothing after a move, and the record shows up in the AAHA universal lookup American shelters check first. Create your free account and finish both steps in one sitting.