Basset Hound Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Basset Hound?

The Basset Hound has existed in the history books for many centuries, with the first recorded mention of the hound in 1585. Featuring in an illustrated book about hunting, Jacques du Fouilloux may have been the cause for the popularity of this dog breed.

Bassets are likely to descend from the St Hubert Hound, which is an ancestor of the modern-day bloodhound. The name Basset means low and makes sense when it comes to their short and low frame.

Basset Hounds were most popular, to begin with, in French aristocracy and made their way to Britain around the mid-19th century. Imported over by Lord Galway in 1866, the Bassett wouldn't actually be shown off until 1875 at an English dog show. Sir Everett Millais imported the Basset Hound, where he started a breeding program that would result in him being referred to as the father of the breed in England.

It wasn't until 1882 that the Kennel Club accepted the breed and The American Kennel Club registered Basset Hounds in 1885. However, this wasn't formally recognised by the club until 1916.

The Basset Hound gained notoriety in America over the years and really took off when it became incorporated into pop culture, becoming the mascot for the Hush Puppy brand. Basset Hounds are ranked 28th out of the 155 breeds, so it's fairly up there in terms of popularity.

Who are Basset Hound dogs best for?

Are Basset Hounds for you? They're the best choice for those who want to welcome a dog in that's friendly towards all family members, whether it's just adults or young kids too.

If you're after a loving dog that loves lounging but also loves a good run outdoors, then this is a great breed option for you. They're also very friendly and usually outgoing in their personality, so they'll get on with most people and other dogs they'll meet.

How much grooming does a Basset Hound need?

A big benefit to the Basset is its smooth, short hair that often repels any water or dirt, making it less of a hassle to clean. The coat protects the Basset from all sorts of weather conditions, which has likely been created from the generations of bassets before who'd go out hunting.

The Basset's skin is loose and elastic, giving that droopy appearance that's well-known for and that we all love!

The hound comes in a variety of colours, but the most common are often the tri-colour made from tan, black and white, red and white or brown and white.

They're fairly easy to groom as long as you're looking after their ears and ensuring their facial wrinkles are getting a good clean daily. Wiping up any drool they leave behind is also something that you'll be prone to doing from time to time.

Basset hounds shed all year round, so you'll need to make sure you give them a brush every week to help keep their skin and coat looking clean and healthy.

Keep the ears clean as they can drag along the ground and get dirty. Brush their teeth two to three times a week and trim nails once or twice a month. Fairly standard stuff for most dogs!

Do Basset Hound bark much?

Basset hounds tend to make great watchdogs, but that comes with a lot of barking. They're anything but quiet when it comes to using their voice. They'll bark and howl at just about anything. It's also a habit of theirs to make loud noises when they're bored too, so be attentive to this to avoid it.

Do Basset Hound bite?

Any dog can bite, and whether it's during playtime or as an act of guarding, it's important to nip it in the bud sooner rather than later. Consider redirecting any biting or mouthing that the dog is doing in its early days and use teething toys where possible.

Being consistent and giving them plenty of exercise will help stop them from biting.

What is the temperament & personality of a Basset Hound?

The Basset is a laid-back dog breed. They'll get along with pretty much anyone, and they're calm indoors but still alert to everything that's going on around them. Bassets don't like being left alone, so if you're a busy household that's not always in the home, then chances are you'll likely need to look for a more independent breed.

If you've already got a dog in the home, then they'll much prefer this to a home with no other dogs. Bassets require early socialisation, much like that of other pets, so try to do this from an early age.

What is the weight & size of a Basset Hound?

With these hounds, they're no more than 35cm tall and weigh around 22 to 29kgs. The short legs and a big body are what make this dog fairly hard to lift, so it's better to keep them on the ground for the most part.

How much training does a Basset Hound need?

A basset hound puppy is one that will take some time to train. It takes patience and persistence as they're intelligent, so they'll behave the way they want to until they learn.

Whether you have basset hound puppies or an adult basset hound, they should be in a fenced yard or on a leash if outdoors. Make sure to discourage your Basset from jumping on and off furniture, especially with their short legs.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Basset Hound?

Whilst Bassets can be healthy for the most part, there are a number of health issues that they're susceptible to having in their lifetime. These include:

Panosteitis - Sudden lameness that most puppies will typically outgrow but could be problematic if they don't outgrow it beyond the two-year mark.

Glaucoma - Bassets are prone to glaucoma, which is a pressure build-up in the eye and can cause blindness if undetected.

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus - Known as bloat or gastric torsion, it can be a life-threatening condition that affects deep-chested dogs.

Eyelid & Eyelash problems - Due to their droopy eyes, they can be prone to problems with their eyelids and eyelashes.

Ear infections - Due to having long ears, ear infections can develop as there's not enough circulation of air to the inside of the ear. A weekly clean of the Basset hound's ears can help with this.

What is the lifespan of a Basset Hound?

A Basset adult dog can live an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, which is common for many dog breeds.

How much should you feed a Basset Hound?

Bassets are prone to eating large amounts of food so try to limit it where you can and balance it with plenty of exercise.

It's very easy for a Basset to become overweight, although not all basset hounds will need to worry about this if their owners are active in their exercise and eating habits!

What is the price of a Basset Hound in Australia?

The price of a Basset puppy will likely be around $600, depending on the dog breeders available in your local area. Be sure to check out the Basset hound club for details on approved and registered breeders.