Basset Retriever Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

18-27 kg

Height

30cm-35 cm

Lifespan

10-12 years

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About the Basset Retriever

Reviewed by:

Dr. Julia Brassel

Veterinarian

The Basset Retriever is an adorable bundle of energy that is loyal, and affectionate and forms strong bonds with its owner. It’s a breed that loves to play and explore outdoors but is also happy spending time at home with its family.

It’s a designer dog by design but still retains the hunting instincts of its parent breeds, meaning it is highly intelligent and easy to train.

Read through our detailed guide to get all the tips and information you need to decide if this pooch is the right one for you.

What is the history & origin of the Basset Retriever?

Basset Retrievers are a mix of two very popular dog breeds, the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever. They’re a fairly new breed, originating in Great Britain around 15 years ago, and they’re considered to be a designer breed.

Although they’re a recent creation, their parent breeds have a lineage that goes back a long way. The Golden Retriever can be traced back to the 1800s when they were used as hunting dogs in America.

The Basset Hound is an even older breed and it’s thought that they originated in France in the 7th century. Like the Retriever, the Basset was also used as a hunting dog.

What is a Basset Retriever breed?

The Basset Retriever has a distinctive and adorable appearance with long, floppy ears and a soft, shiny coat that is either white, golden, chocolate or black.

Depending on which of the parent breeds it has taken after the most, its coat will either be long or short, but whatever length it will retain its softness and shine.

They’re a mixed breed that comes from a long line of hunters, and they still have that hunting instinct. This makes them energetic, playful dogs who are known for their intelligence.

Who is a Basset Retriever best for?

A Basset Retriever will make an ideal pet for families who are very mobile and enjoy outdoor activities like long walks and hiking. It’s an active dog that needs a good amount of exercise and a lot of love.

Be prepared to give them lots of vigorous exercises each day, as this is the best way to keep them healthy and happy.

They’re renowned for being great family dogs as they get along well with children and love to play. So, if you have little ones at home then this breed could be the perfect pooch for you!

Basset Retriever Grooming & Shedding

The Basset Retriever will inherit either the short coat of the Basset Hound or the medium-length coat of the Golden Retriever, but whichever length they have they don’t require too much grooming.

Their coats don’t tend to get matted or knotted very easily, but you’ll need to brush them once a week to prevent them from leaving dog hair around the house.

They only need a bath if they get dirty, and when bathing them you should avoid using shampoo as this can harm the natural oils in their coats. Their coat also doesn’t shed much, as long you stick to weekly brushing.

As a Basset Hound and Golden Retriever mix, the breed has characteristic, long floppy ears. You’ll need to make sure you clean them regularly to prevent them from developing ear infections.

Do Basset Retrievers bark a lot?

Basset Hounds are known for being very vocal dogs, as are most hound breeds, and the Basset Retriever does seem to have inherited this trait. They bark quite a lot, but this doesn’t usually tend to be aggressive behaviour. It’s simply part of their nature to react to most new things by barking.

Although this behaviour will never go away completely, with good training and early socialization it can be prevented from turning into something that is problematic. Due to their tendency to bark they’re not ideal pets for people who live in apartments.

What is the average weight & height of a Basset Retriever dog?

The Basset Retriever is a medium-sized dog.

They weigh between 18kg-27kg and their height is between 30cm-35cm.

Are Basset Retrievers easy to train?

Generally, Basset Retrievers respond well to training as they’ve inherited the Retriever’s intelligence, but some of them will also have inherited the Basset Hound’s stubbornness. This means you should start training and socialising them when they’re very young.

They should learn quickly as long as you use training methods that are based on rewards and positive reinforcement. If you do this, you should have a well-behaved and obedient dog.

How do Basset Retrievers behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Basset Retrievers are high energy dogs that are loyal and affectionate with their owners. They require lots of activity, but if they’ve inherited their personality more from their Basset Hound parent they can sometimes be a bit lazy.

As they get along really well with kids they’re considered to be a great family dog and are incredibly friendly. They tend to interact well with other pets and dogs if they’re socialized early, but because of their hunter instincts, they can sometimes chase other small dogs and rodents.

They’re also a very intelligent dog that needs lots of mental stimulation, so they enjoy consistent training where they can be constantly learning.

Does the Basset Retriever have any common health issues?

Basset Retrievers are generally healthy dogs but like all other breeds they are prone to certain health conditions:

Elbow Dysplasia – a condition where the three bones that make up the dog’s elbow grow at different rates. The elbow joint can become lax and painful.
Hip Dysplasia – a hereditary issue where the thighbone is not fitted properly into the hip joint. With time, this can cause arthritis and the symptoms include limping and pain.
Cherry Eye – this is when the tear gland in the dog’s third eyelid prolapses. This will present as a swollen, red mass in the corner of the dog’s eye. It’s best to have this seen by a vet immediately.
Entropion – this is an abnormality that causes the dog’s eyelids to roll inwards. The cornea can then become irritated which results in perforations, corneal ulcers, pain, and a loss of vision.

The majority of common health conditions that occur in this breed can be treated if diagnosed early. So, make sure to take your furry friend for regular checkups.

What is the lifespan of a Basset Retriever?

The life expectancy for Basset Retrievers is 10-12 years. They can exceed this if they’re properly cared for and get lots of exercise. Whatever happens, your pooch will be around for quite some time!

How much does a Basset Retriever need to be fed?

Ideally, Basset Retrievers should be fed 2 cups of high-quality, dry food each day. This food should be split between two meals, one in the evening and one in the morning.

The breed can be prone to obesity, so you’ll need to strictly manage their food intake and give them plenty of exercise to make sure they maintain a healthy weight.

How much can you expect to pay for a Basset Retriever in Australia?

The price of Basset Retrievers will vary depending on whether you go to a rescue shelter or a breeder. If you choose to rescue your dog, then there may be no cost, or the shelter may ask for a small donation to help them with their work.

A breeder will typically charge between $1,200 – $3,000 for a puppy. If you are going to use a breeder then make sure they are reputable and avoid puppy mills at all costs.

Basset Retriever FAQs

Is a Basset Retriever ideal for a first-time dog owner?

Basset Retrievers can certainly make great pets for first-time dog owners due to their loyal, affectionate, and playful personality. The main thing to bear in mind is that they require vigorous, daily activity and quite a lot of training, so you’ll need to be sure you’re able to commit to both of these things.

Do Basset Retrievers suffer from separation anxiety?

As both of its parent breeds are very social dogs, this breed is too. This means they don’t like being left alone for long periods. If they are, they can become depressed and engage in problematic behaviour like excessive barking.

They’re best suited to family households where they’ll be around people most of the time.

Are Basset Retrievers hypoallergenic dogs?

The Basset Hound Golden Retriever is not a hypoallergenic breed. Although they’re relatively low-shedding they do produce dander which causes reactions in people that suffer from dog allergies.

Will a Basset Retriever need professional grooming?

A Basset Retriever shouldn’t need professional grooming as they’re pretty low maintenance. You need to brush them once a week, clean out their ears regularly and only bathe them if they get dirty.

Their nails will also need clipping when you can hear them tapping on the floor. If you stick to this grooming routine their coat won’t become knotted or matted, and the only time they’ll need a trip to a professional groomer is when their coat needs to be trimmed.