Basset Hound

Personality

The Basset Hound is gentle, sociable and mellow. It loves its family, tends to be great with children, and is usually friendly toward strangers and other dogs. Many Bassets are happiest lounging nearby, though they also have a playful, clownish side, especially when young.

Beneath the sleepy looks is a determined scent hound. When a Basset picks up an interesting trail, everything else ceases to exist, including your commands, so it can be stubborn and distractible. This is not defiance so much as single-minded instinct. Patience and humor help.

Bassets are also vocal. They bark and bay, and the baying can be loud and carrying, which matters for neighbors. They are pack dogs by nature and usually dislike being alone for long periods; separation distress can lead to howling and chewing. They tend to be food-motivated, which helps in training but also leads to counter-surfing and weight gain. With enough company, gentle handling and a fenced yard, a Basset is a warm, funny, loyal companion.

History

The Basset Hound is descended from French hounds bred to follow scent at a slow pace through dense undergrowth. The word "basset" comes from the French for "low," referring to the short-legged build. According to the AKC, monks in France combined a variety of hounds to produce a low-slung hunting breed that could track rabbits and deer, and the slow, deliberate dogs could be followed on foot, without horses. Their incredible sense of smell made them popular with French aristocrats.

French Bassets were being imported into England by the 1870s, and breeders there, notably Everett Millais, bred them with Bloodhounds to create the heavier type that became the modern Basset Hound. The first breed standard was written in Britain at the end of the nineteenth century. The breed reached America early: the Marquis de Lafayette is said to have given a pack to George Washington. The American Kennel Club recognized the Basset Hound in 1885.

Today the Basset is chiefly a family companion, although it continues to hunt in some regions and competes in scent-work trials, tracking and other events that use its extraordinary nose.

Appearance, coat & colors

A Basset Hound is a long, heavy-boned dog on short legs. It is built low to the ground but surprisingly substantial. The AKC lists a height of up to 15 in (38 cm), and the breed typically weighs 40–65 lb (18–29 kg). A Basset is usually heavier than it looks.

The most recognizable features are the domed head, the long, velvety ears that reach beyond the end of the nose and the deeply wrinkled forehead that creates a sad, thoughtful expression. The eyes are dark and soft, with loose skin that may show a hint of the lower eyelid. The chest is deep and the front legs are short and slightly crooked, with large paws.

The coat is short, smooth and dense, and it comes in recognized hound colors, most often tricolor (black, tan and white) or lemon/red and white, although any recognized hound color is acceptable. The tail is long and carried upright, with a slight curve. The skin is loose and elastic, with folds around the face and neck.

Training

Bassets are intelligent but independent, and they were bred to work at a distance from the hunter, making decisions of their own. That gives them a streak of stubbornness. Training works best when it is short, upbeat and food-based. Heavy-handed methods tend to make a Basset shut down or ignore you.

Start early. Teach loose-leash walking, a reliable "leave it" and a rock-solid habit of coming when called, though be realistic about recall: a Basset on a scent trail is deaf to the world, and most should stay on leash or in secure areas. A long training lead can give freedom without risk.

House-training can take longer than in some breeds, so keep a consistent schedule, reward success and use a crate; our guide on how to crate train a puppy covers the basics. Socialize puppies broadly, but gently.

Scent games are a perfect outlet: hide treats around the house, try nose work classes or tracking trials. These activities use the Basset's gifts and often produce a more cooperative dog.

Exercise

Bassets need regular, moderate exercise, not marathon sessions. Two or three walks a day of moderate length, plus some play in a secure yard, suit most adults. Let the dog sniff: a slow walk where the dog investigates every smell is excellent mental exercise and tires a hound as much as a faster pace.

The breed's long back, short legs and heavy body mean care is needed. Avoid forcing a young puppy to climb many stairs or jump from furniture or vehicles, as repeated impact may contribute to back and joint problems. Use ramps, steps or a lift into the car, and keep the dog at a healthy weight.

As with any dog, supervise around pools and open water. In hot weather, exercise in the cool morning or evening.

A lack of exercise leads to weight gain, boredom and baying. Fenced areas are essential, since a Basset will follow a scent for miles and has little road sense. For general guidance, see our guide on how much exercise a dog needs.

Grooming

The Basset's short coat is simple to maintain. Brush weekly with a rubber curry or a hound glove to remove loose hair and distribute skin oils. Bassets shed moderately all year, and more in spring and fall, and the short hairs weave into upholstery, so a lint roller and regular brushing help.

The real work is in the folds. Long ears and facial wrinkles trap moisture, food and dirt, and can develop infections and odor. Clean the ears weekly with a vet-approved cleaner, check for redness, discharge or odor, and wipe the facial folds and lip folds with a damp cloth, drying them thoroughly. Ear infections are common in the breed.

Bathe as needed; Bassets can have a distinct hound odor, and skin fold infections are more likely if bathing is neglected. Trim the nails regularly, because long nails worsen foot and leg problems. Drool and food residue collect on the ears and chin, so wipe them after meals. Brush the teeth often; see our guide on how to brush your dog's teeth.

Feeding

Bassets love food, and many will eat until they are overweight. Obesity is one of the biggest threats to this breed's health, since extra weight strains the long spine and short legs. Feed measured portions of a high-quality diet, twice a day, and avoid free-feeding.

You should be able to feel the ribs under a modest covering and see a waist from above, although the loose skin can make this harder to judge. Use your hands, and see our guide to telling if your dog is overweight. The dog food calculator provides an estimate of daily calories.

Bassets are deep-chested and can suffer from bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), a life-threatening emergency. Reduce risk by feeding two or more smaller meals, using a slow feeder for fast eaters and avoiding hard exercise around mealtimes. A swollen belly, unproductive retching and restlessness require immediate veterinary care.

Puppies need a balanced puppy diet; avoid rapid growth, which can stress the joints. Keep treats small and count them toward the daily total, and keep food out of reach of a persistent nose.

Health

Bassets are generally sturdy but have several breed-related health concerns. Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), in which the cushioning discs between the spine bones become displaced, is a risk because of the long back; signs include pain, reluctance to move or weakness in the hind legs, and need prompt veterinary attention. Hip and elbow dysplasia and other joint problems occur. Skin allergies and ear infections are very common, and glaucoma is a recognized eye disease. Bloat is another significant risk.

Thrombopathia (an inherited platelet disorder that affects blood clotting) and von Willebrand disease are inherited bleeding disorders in the breed. The Basset Hound Club of America also highlights MPS1, a fatal inherited disease of young puppies, and Lafora disease, a late-onset neurological disorder, and notes that DNA tests exist for thrombopathia, one form of glaucoma, MPS1 and Lafora disease. Ask breeders for results on both parents.

Keep your dog lean, use ramps instead of repeated jumping, clean the ears regularly and see a vet quickly if your dog yelps, hunches or shows weakness. Lifespan is typically 12–13 years.

Health conditions to know about

• Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) — Long-backed dogs can rupture spinal discs, causing pain or hind-leg weakness.
• Bloat (GDV) — Life-threatening stomach twisting in deep-chested dogs; needs emergency care.
• Ear and skin infections — Long, heavy ears and skin folds trap moisture and debris; allergies are common.
• Elbow and hip dysplasia — Joint malformations that can cause arthritis.
• Glaucoma — Raised pressure in the eye that can cause blindness; a DNA test covers one form.
• Obesity — Extra weight strains the back and joints and worsens arthritis.
• Thrombopathia and von Willebrand disease — Inherited bleeding disorders; a DNA test exists for thrombopathia.
• MPS1 and Lafora disease — Rare inherited diseases (a fatal puppy disorder and a late-onset neurological disease); DNA tests exist.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Hip evaluation
• Elbow evaluation
• Eye exam
• Thrombopathia DNA test
• Glaucoma (POAG) DNA test
• MPS1 DNA test
• Lafora disease DNA test

Read more: bloat (gdv), ear infections.

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Basset Hound

Bassets can do well in apartments or houses, provided the dog's walks are regular and the neighbors tolerate the baying. They are calm indoors, but stairs and slippery floors are hard on a long-backed dog, so ground-floor living is easier. Provide a supportive bed and ramps to reduce jumping.

A fenced yard is ideal, but make sure the fence is solid at the bottom; a determined Basset digs under barriers, and many are escape artists once a scent catches their attention. Never trust a Basset off leash near roads.

They cope with moderate climates but can overheat in hot weather and feel cold in winter because of the short coat and low belly. Provide shade, water and a warm coat if needed.

Bassets are pack-oriented and do not like being alone all day. They are usually excellent with children and other dogs, and can be friendly with cats if raised with them, though the hunting instinct means small animals outside may be chased. Expect drool, some odor, shed hair and an endearing, snoring houseguest.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Basset puppy prices vary widely, depending on breeder, region and the health testing behind the litter. Low prices often signal poor breeding or unsocialized puppies from commercial operations.

A responsible breeder is affiliated with the Basset Hound Club of America or an equivalent national club, tests breeding dogs for hips, elbows, eyes and the conditions for which DNA tests exist, and raises puppies in a family setting. They will discuss back health, ear care and weight management honestly. Avoid sellers who offer puppies on demand, do not allow visits or sell several breeds.

Rescue is a good option. Bassets are often surrendered because of baying, destructive chewing or owners underestimating the care needed, and Basset rescues place both adults and puppies. Adults come with known personalities, and many are calm and house-trained.

Whichever you choose, prepare before arrival: puppy-proof your home, plan a house-training schedule, set up a crate and make sure everyone knows to avoid letting a young puppy leap off furniture. The puppy first-week checklist can guide you.