There’s no mistaking a Basset hound when you see one— the adorable, droopy ears and affectionate nature, Bassets are in a class of their own and make a perfect family pet. Think this is the dog for you? Before you rush over to a breeder, we encourage you to consider all the variables, especially the financial obligations of buying and owning one, so you understand the full cost of owning a Basset beyond the initial purchase price. Below, you’ll find some estimates that you can use to weigh up buying a Basset hound in Australia.
You can typically find a Basset hound for sale in Australia for between $1000 to $3 500; some people have bought them for under $1,000. However, the price difference comes with whether or not a breeder is registered, amongst a few other factors.
Registered breeders in Australia will likely sell Bassets for $1000 to $3500. These prices would vary based on the pedigree of the Basset, its bloodline, and the breeder’s reputation. Registered breeders will charge more because they’ve gone through the trouble of ensuring their breeding practice meets or even exceeds the standard requirements of breeders in Australia, which gives them credibility as trusted breeders.
On the other hand, while unregistered breeders may charge less, they also come with less credibility and assurances. For instance, you don’t know whether the dogs were bred ethically or if they come from a good bloodline. Another alternative would be to adopt a Basset from your local adoption shelter if they have one.
If you want to try an adoption over buying from a breeder, adoption shelters charge around $200 to $600 as adoption fees. This price might be higher depending on whether they have a purebred Basset. Age and location also influence the adoption fees. Usually, these adoption fees would cover neutering or spaying the dog, registering it, installing a microchip, and any other tasks needed before you take it home.
As we touched on above, several factors influence the cost of a Basset hound, such as:
Breeders with a good reputation usually focus heavily on breeding Bassets from a good bloodline, emphasising their Bassets’ overall health and temperament. This usually translates into their puppies going for more.
For breeders to breed Bassets legally in Australia, they need to register as breeders in their state or region through their local councils or who the state requires them to register. This registration is a sign of credibility for breeders, demonstrating that they meet the standard breeding requirements in Australia. Thus, they can sell their Bassets for more.
Ideally, when buying a Basset hound, you want the real deal. This means that you want a pedigree (purebred) Basset. Likewise, you probably want a healthy Basset with good posture and form and a good temperament. This has a lot to do with the bloodline of the Basset you choose.
Breeders that check all these boxes, breeding purebreds from a good bloodline with little health issues and a strong physique, can often charge premium prices for their Basset hounds.
Availability and demand also affect the costs of Basset hounds in Australia. Having been introduced in Sydney in 1957, Basset Hound breeders have popped up throughout Australia, making them reasonably available. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find a breeder. However, Basset Hounds are considered a relatively popular breed in Australia, so finding one and getting on the waiting list might be challenging. This could also influence the price, making it higher.
Buying a Basset Hound is the first step. Next, you’ll have to get the essentials before you bring it home. We prefer to do all the essentials in one shot. Here is a list of the essentials you may need and what they might cost you:
Dog crate: $40 to $200 for a suitably sized crate made from durable materials
Dog bed: $30 to $200 for a comfy dog bed that will offer your Basset support for their joints and muscles
Dog collar/lead: $20 to $50 for a strong lead and collar
Feeding bowl: $10 to $60 for a steel, ceramic, or plastic feeding bowl
Dog toothbrush: $5 to $30 for a toothbrush and toothpaste, depending on if you get a manual or electric toothbrush
Dog car harness: $30 to $150 for a suitable dog harness appropriately sized for a Basset Hound
Puppy treats: $10 to $60 per pack
Puppy training pads: $15 to $40 per pack
Dog shampoo & conditioner: $10 to $50 per bottle. This does vary on the brand and size of the bottle
Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: $15 to $80, depending on the grooming tools you want to buy
Another consideration that you will need to make regarding looking after your Basset Hound is the ongoing costs. The maintenance costs for pets include feeding, veterinary, grooming, and training. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay:
Basset Hounds might seem like smaller dogs, but they can weigh a decent amount and eat a lot. The average weight of a male adult Basset is between 25 to 35kg. Between these weights, they would need to eat around 230g to 300g of food a day. Here is what you can expect to pay for food daily:
Veterinary care is also something you’ll need to factor in. In addition to any emergency vet bills you may have for your Basset when they get older, you will have some routine expenses, like parasite protection, yearly vaccinations, and annual checkups. For emergencies, you may also want to invest in pet insurance. Here is an average of what this will all cost you:
Basset Hounds have a short, smooth coat of hair that doesn’t require much grooming. You may want to brush them regularly to reduce shedding and wash them to ensure they smell fresh, but they don’t need as much maintenance as other dogs. That said, if you want their nails to be clipped and for them to go for a regular wash, sending them to a professional grooming service may be beneficial:
Basset Hounds are easygoing dogs. Originally used to hunt small game and wildlife, they are trainable but require patience and perseverance. If you want to train your Basset, taking them to a professional would make things easier. Here is what this might cost you:
Basset Hounds are unique. They are usually friendly and make great companions. However, before you bring a Basset home, we recommend you fully understand the above costs first. Factor in the purchase price, feeding, vet bills, grooming, training, and the essentials before you decide. This will ensure that you know exactly what you’re committing to.
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