Basset Hound
Short legs, extremely long ears, an iconic mournful gaze. A scent hound: the second-best canine sense of smell after the Bloodhound. Stubborn, greedy. Deep bay.
Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA
Ideal for
- ✓Calm families
- ✓Homes with patience
- ✓Those who can tolerate baying
Reconsider if
- ×Flats with noise-sensitive neighbours
- ×Those seeking instant obedience
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Is the Basset Hound a good match for you?
Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
💶 Estimated cost of ownership
50-90 €/month
Food 30-45 €, ear cleaners and antiparasitics 10-15 €, provision for vaccinations and check-ups 15-25 €, accessories 5-10 €. Consider a buffer for ear and back treatments, which are recurrent in the breed.
History and origin
Developed in France in the 16th century from taller scent hounds by the monks of the Abbey of Saint-Hubert. Perfected in England in the 19th century.
Recognised by the FCI within group 7 or 8 (pointing or retrieving dogs). Its historical hunting use dictates its need for physical exercise and scent work: boredom is the main cause of behavioural problems.
Temperament and character
Calm, patient, stubborn. Sociable. When it catches a scent it is impossible to call back. It bays more than it barks. It needs daily mental stimulation — scent games, food-stuffed Kongs and short tricks channel its energy better than physical exercise alone. It responds best to positive reinforcement: physical punishment causes fear, anxiety and reactivity — coercive methods are NOT recommended by veterinary behaviourists. Sensitive to its family's mood: it detects tension and picks up on it.
Living together
Children: good with calm ones. Other dogs: sociable. Cats: tolerates.
Life stages of the Basset Hound
Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 10-12 años.
Puppy
0-12 months
Controlled growth, protection of the back and cleaning of the long ears.
Junior
1-2 years
Weight control, avoiding jumps and monitoring the spine.
Adult
2-7 years
Prevention of obesity, recurrent otitis and disc problems.
Senior
7+ years
Monitoring of the spine, eyes (glaucoma) and joints.
Care
Exercise: 30-45 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Calm walks + mental games.
Brushing: 2-3 times/week; intensive during moulting (spring and autumn).
Feeding: quality food suited to life stage (puppy/adult/senior) and size. Weight control: obesity is the leading preventable cause of joint problems.
Vet: annual check-up with preventive blood work from age 5 (7 in giant breeds); twice a year from age 8.
Moderate exercise (45 min/day), CRITICAL weight control (obesity → back problems). Ear cleaning twice a week. Weekly brushing. Cleaning of skin folds.
Care in detail
🍽️ Nutrition
Quality food adjusted to maintain an ideal weight: obesity is the leading cause of disc herniation and joint problems in the breed. Portion out the ration and avoid calorie-rich treats given its greediness.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing 2-3 times a week (more during the spring and autumn moults) and cleaning of the ears and facial folds to prevent otitis and dermatitis.
🎓 Training
Stubborn and heavily led by its nose: use positive reinforcement, short sessions and scent games. Never a reliable off-lead recall near traffic.
🏃 Exercise
30-45 min daily on calm walks split into 2 sessions, avoiding jumps and stairs that strain its spine.
Breed-specific health
Chronic otitis. Intervertebral disc disease. Glaucoma. Obesity. Thrombopathy. Life expectancy 10-12 years. Life expectancy 10-12 years with proper care. Pre-breeding tests are recommended in responsible kennels (hip dysplasia + cardiac + ophthalmological screening according to the breed's conditions). When adopting, ask the rescue for a vet report on the current state of health.
🩺 Health predispositions of this breed
Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.
Common diseases in dogs
Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Screening and prevention for the Basset Hound
Recommended tests and screenings
- ✓X-ray of the lumbar spine and hips (predisposition to disc herniation and dysplasia)
- ✓Ophthalmological examination (glaucoma, ectropion/entropion)
- ✓Ear examination by a vet (chronic otitis due to long ears)
- ✓Complete blood count with platelet assessment (hereditary thrombopathy)
Prevention
Strict weight control to relieve the back and joints, ear cleaning 1-2 times a week, and careful handling avoiding jumps and stairs. Vaccinations and deworming up to date; in Mediterranean areas, protection against leishmania.
Check-up schedule
Annual check-up until age 5; from then on, annual preventive blood work and two visits a year from age 8.
Warning signs
- !Back pain, reluctance to move or weakness/paralysis in the hind legs
- !Head shaking, bad smell or discharge from the ears
- !Eye redness or cloudiness (possible glaucoma, an emergency)
- !Weight gain, abdominal distension or exercise intolerance
Basset Hound gallery
Frequently asked questions about the Basset Hound
- How long does a Basset Hound live? ▾
- The life expectancy of the Basset Hound is 10-12 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.
- How much does a Basset Hound weigh? ▾
- An adult Basset Hound weighs between 20-30 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is mediano.
- Where does the Basset Hound breed come from? ▾
- The Basset Hound originates from Francia/Inglaterra. Developed in France in the 16th century from taller scent hounds by the monks of the Abbey of Saint-Hubert. Perfected in England in the 19th century.
- How much exercise does a Basset Hound need? ▾
- The Basset Hound has baja energy. **Exercise:** 30-45 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Calm walks + mental games.
- Is the Basset Hound good with children? ▾
- Children: good with calm ones. Other dogs: sociable. Cats: tolerates.
- Who is the Basset Hound NOT recommended for? ▾
- It isn't the right breed for: Flats with noise-sensitive neighbours. Those seeking instant obedience. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.
- What health problems does the Basset Hound have? ▾
- Chronic otitis. Intervertebral disc disease. Glaucoma. Obesity. Thrombopathy. Life expectancy 10-12 years. Life expectancy 10-12 years with proper care. Pre-breeding tests are recommended in responsible kennels (hip dysplasia + cardiac + ophthalmological screening according to the breed's conditions). When adopting, ask the rescue for a vet report on the current state of health.
- Why does my Basset Hound bay so much? ▾
- The deep bay is part of its scent-hound nature. It intensifies with boredom or loneliness; scent enrichment and company reduce it, but it never disappears entirely. Bear this in mind if you live in a flat with neighbours.
- Is it true they injure their backs easily? ▾
- Yes. Their long body and short legs (chondrodystrophy) predispose them to disc herniation. Prevent them from jumping off the sofa or going up/down stairs daily and keep their weight in check: that is the best prevention.
- Does it need a lot of exercise? ▾
- Not so much physical as mental. 30-45 minutes of a scent-led walk a day is enough, but tracking and scent games are essential for its balance.
- Why does it get so many ear infections? ▾
- Its long, drooping ears retain moisture and get little ventilation. A weekly clean with a suitable product and thorough drying after bathing prevents the chronic otitis typical of the breed.
- Can it live in a flat? ▾
- Yes, it is calm and low-energy indoors, but its tendency to bay and its need for daily scent walks must be accepted. It is not a garden dog that entertains itself.
Related and similar breeds
Learn more about dogs
Practical veterinary guides to support your Basset Hound.
Sources and references
Content compiled from official breed standards and leading veterinary sources.
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