Basset Hound
Low, slow, and never off the trail.
- Weight
- 40–65 lbs
- Height
- 13–15 in
- Lifespan
- 12–13 yrs
In short
The Basset Hound is a hound-group scent hound from France, bred to trail rabbits and hares slowly enough for hunters on foot to follow, weighing 40–65 lbs and standing 13–15 in tall, with a gentle, patient and stubborn temperament. It needs 30–60 minutes of daily exercise, mostly leashed scent walks, and its single most important care point is strict weight control and back protection, because extra weight strains its long, low body.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a calm, gentle family hound with a serious nose
- enjoy slow scent walks and nosework games
- can manage weight, ears and a baying voice
Think twice if you…
- need reliable off-leash recall around wildlife
- cannot lift a heavy, low dog or manage stairs
- want a quiet, low-shedding, easily trained first dog
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 30–60 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 85–125 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityIndependent thinker5.0/10
EnergyEasygoing3.5/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors8.0/10
SheddingModerate shedder5.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Long, low ears
Extremely long, velvety ears set low sweep scent toward the nose and need regular checking and cleaning.
-
02
Long body, short legs
A long, heavy-boned body on short legs gives steady endurance at a slow pace, but makes weight control and ramps important.
-
03
Deep chest and large nose
A deep chest and a large, dark nose support long, steady trailing work over rough ground.
Size & coat
| Weight | 40–65 lbs | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 13–15 in | |
| Lifespan | 12–13 yrs | |
| Coat | Short, smooth, dense | |
Personality
A gentle, patient scent hound that is calm at home and single-minded on a trail. Devoted and patient with family, generally good with children and other dogs, friendly with strangers, and unhappy left alone for long stretches, when it may bay.
With children
Patient and gentle with children, but children should not pull its long ears, and adults should supervise play because it is heavy for its height.
With other pets
Generally good with other dogs, especially as a pack-oriented hound; introduce cats carefully, as a scent trail can take over.
With strangers
Friendly and welcoming rather than watchful; do not expect guard-dog behaviour.
Alone time
Prefers company and may bay or get into mischief if left alone for long stretches; build alone time gradually.
Training
-
How often
2–3 sessions daily, 5–10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Socialize between 8–16 weeks with strangers, children, other dogs, traffic sounds and new surfaces.
-
Self-control
Teach a reliable recall on a long line and a stay before doors and gates; reward checking in on walks before the nose takes over, and keep it leashed outside fenced areas.
-
What it works for
Use small, high-value food pieces in short, frequent sessions; count every piece against the daily treat budget, because food is what holds its attention.
Exercise
Exercise a day
30–60 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Leashed scent walks, twice daily
- Scent trails and nosework in a fenced area
- Gentle play on flat ground, avoiding repeated jumping
Brain work
- Scent trails and nosework games
- Food puzzles and scatter feeding
- Short training games with food rewards
Watch for Prey drive and scent: a trail can override recall, so keep it leashed outside fenced areas.
Feeding
Prone to weight gain, which strains its back and joints. Feed measured meals, never free-feed, and keep treats to 10% of daily calories.
Puppy (4–12 Mos)
- Daily calories
- 730–1,455 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 75–145 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–7 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 860–1,240 kcal
- Protein
- 26%
- Fat
- 15%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 85–125 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–6 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 1,110–1,595 kcal
- Protein
- 30%
- Fat
- 20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 110–160 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 6–8 pieces a day
Senior (8+ Yrs)
- Daily calories
- 740–1,065 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 12%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 75–105 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–5 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (4–12 Mos) | 730–1,455 kcal | 28% | 18% | 75–145 kcal | 4–7 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 860–1,240 kcal | 26% | 15% | 85–125 kcal | 4–6 pieces |
| Active / Working | 1,110–1,595 kcal | 30% | 20% | 110–160 kcal | 6–8 pieces |
| Senior (8+ Yrs) | 740–1,065 kcal | 28% | 12% | 75–105 kcal | 4–5 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Mucopolysaccharidosis I | Mucopolysaccharidosis I DNA test | Once |
| Primary open angle glaucoma | Primary Open Angle Glaucoma DNA test | Once |
| Thrombopathia | Thrombopathia DNA test | Once |
| Eye disease | Eye exam (ophthalmologist) | Yearly |
| Hip dysplasia | Hip evaluation | Once for breeding stock; monitor lifelong |
| Elbow dysplasia | Elbow evaluation | Once for breeding stock; monitor lifelong |
| Thyroid disease | Thyroid evaluation | As advised by a vet |
| Lafora disease | Lafora disease DNA test | Once |
| Obesity | Weight and body-condition scoring | Every vet visit |
| Dental disease | Dental exam | Yearly |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Basset Hound breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Mucopolysaccharidosis I
- Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
- Thrombopathia
Grooming Moderate year-round shedding
Brush weekly, bathe as needed, check and clean the long ears regularly, wipe skin folds, and trim nails every 3–4 weeks.
History
Origins
A French hound bred low
In France, larger scent hounds were bred down in leg to make a slow trailing hound that hunters on foot could follow after rabbits and hares. The name comes from the French word bas, meaning low.
Standardization
England, then America
French Bassets reached England in the 1870s, the AKC recognised the breed in 1885, and the Basset Hound Club of America was founded in 1935.
Modern Companion
Family hound, nose first
Today it is a family companion and scent-work dog, still happiest with its nose to a trail, and ranked 34th in AKC registrations.
Questions owners ask
Are Basset Hounds easy to train?
Moderately, and food is the key. Basset Hounds are clever but independent and scent-driven, so short, patient, food-rewarded sessions of 5–10 minutes work far better than repetition or long drills.
How many calories does a Basset Hound need per day?
An adult Basset Hound (40–65 lbs) typically needs about 860–1,595 kcal per day across adult maintenance to active work: about 860–1,240 kcal for maintenance and up to 1,110–1,595 kcal when active. Adjust to body condition and your vet's advice.
What is the best diet and training treat for a Basset Hound?
Small, fast-eaten, high-value pieces. Keep every treat inside the 10% limit: about 85–125 kcal a day in total for an adult Basset Hound of typical size. If you use Saylor's freeze-dried liver, keep it to a small share of that, roughly 4–6 pieces a day: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should stay a topper, not a staple. Adjust for your own dog's size and body condition, and ask your vet if there is a health condition or special diet.
Are Basset Hounds good for apartments or first-time owners?
Possible, with planning. Basset Hounds are calm indoors and can suit an apartment with 30–60 minutes of daily scent walks, but first-time owners should expect stubborn, scent-driven training, baying, and the need to manage stairs and lifting a heavy, low dog.
How much exercise does a Basset Hound require daily?
Most adults need 30–60 minutes daily, mainly leashed scent walks plus nosework, with gentle play on flat ground. Avoid repeated jumping and long stair runs, and keep it leashed outside fenced areas, as a trail can override recall.
What health issues are Basset Hounds prone to?
Basset Hounds are prone to intervertebral disc disease, obesity, ear infections, eye problems including glaucoma, bloat, and hip and elbow dysplasia. Ask for the CHIC DNA tests for mucopolysaccharidosis I, primary open angle glaucoma and thrombopathia, and keep your Basset Hound lean.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Basset Hound needs only 4–6 pieces a day, well inside the 85–125 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Basset Hound ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Basset Hound
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
