Basset Hounds are probably the cutest, short-legged, most loving dogs you could ever meet. They are great around kids and are very common family dogs. Basset hounds are a great breed to consider if you are searching for a dog.
What Is A Basset Hound Like?
Basset hounds are a short-legged breed of dog that was originally bred for hunting purposes, but now they are a great family pet. They can come in an array of colors such as tri-color, black and white, black and brown, white and chocolate, and red and white. The females weigh between 44-60 pounds and males can weigh between 50-63 pounds. In height, females can reach 14 inches and males can reach 15 inches.
People often confuse shortness with smallness. A basset hound is considered a large dog because it can weigh up to 60 pounds. They have short legs and that’s why they appear small. If you are looking for a devoted, affectionate, and friendly dog, the basset hound is a great candidate.
I have been around basset hounds for over a decade. Below I have gone into detail and provided you all the information that you might want to know about these cute dogs.
Basset Hound Size
| Weight | Male: 50-63 pounds Female: 44-60 pounds |
| Height | Male: 11-15 inches Females: 11-14 inches |
Physical Traits of Basset Hounds
| Ear Type | Large and floppy |
| Coat Lenght | Short |
| Coat Type | Smooth and hard-textured |
| Colors | Tri-color Black and white Black and brown White and chocolate Red and white |
Basset Hounds Needs/Tendencies
| Exercise | A slow walk is fine |
| Energy Level | Low |
| Longevity | 10-12 years |
| Social Interaction / Attention | High |
| Grooming | Very easy |
| Shedding | Moderate to high |
| Trainability | Can be hard |
| Friendly | Very |
| Family Dog? | Yes |
| Apartment Dog? | Yes |
| Drooling Tendency | Almost all the time |
| Barking Tendency | High when left alone |
| Snoring Tendency | High |
| Digging Tendency | Medium to high |
Basset hounds are not a very energetic breed of dog which makes them a perfect pet for a busy family. A slow evening walk around the block is enough exercise for a basset hound. They are more of a relaxed type of dog that could lay on the couch all day and be perfectly happy.
These dogs live around 10 to 12 years which is not so bad if you take into consideration that some dogs only live around 5 to 6 years. Although, basset hounds are prone to a lot of health conditions that you will have to pay attention to. Keeping your pet healthy will result in a long and happy life.
Basset Hounds are a super friendly breed of dog that loves and requires a lot of social interaction. They want all the attention they can get and will enjoy every second of it. They don’t want to be left alone for a long period of time.
If you are doing laundry, they will be there to help you. If you are in bed and trying to relax, they will hop in and lay next to you. They are great lap dogs that love to cuddle.
Due to their compassion and affection for people, basset hounds make for a great family dog. They are very gentle with children and children simply love them. Although, because of their low energy levels and short legs might not be able to keep up with hyperactive children.
Basset Hounds are low energy, loving short-legged dogs with a lifespan of around 12 years.
Basset Hounds are the perfect dog for you if you live in an apartment. They do not require a lot of exercise and are very easy to groom. They do well in small spaces. If you live in a house and have a big yard, the basset hound will use the yard only to dig holes.
Their tendencies are a little bit hard to manage. Basset hounds were originally bred as hunting dogs and their bark is quite loud. They tend to bark if they are left alone for a long period of time. Basset hounds drool almost all the time and it gets even worse after eating or drinking water.
If you think they bark loud, wait until you hear them snore. If you have cranky neighbors, you might not have a fun time.
How Long Do Most Basset Hounds Live?
With proper care, both male and female Basset Hounds live between 10 – 13 years. ith regular veterinary visits, healthy diet, and plenty of exercises, the long life expectancy of this breed can even be pushed to 15 years if you take good care of your hound!
Basset Hounds are a breed of beloved family dogs, known for their sturdy legs and floppy ears. They have an average lifespan similar to other similarly sized breeds, living approximately 10-13 years depending on their diet and healthcare.
Taking care of one of these loyal companion animals is essential to helping them live the longest life they can. Proper grooming, regular exercise, and a healthy diet go a long way.
By following the proper routine, owners can ensure that their Basset Hound enjoys an active life full of love and a sense of security. Of course, adding in regular vet checkups as part of that routine only helps to benefit the animal further by catching any potential problems before they become serious issues in the future.
All in all, with a good amount of love and care given over enough time spent together, a Basset Hound can bring joy to its family for many years.
Basset Hound Health Problems
| Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) | A joint condition that occurs due to lack of blood flow. The affected joint will become swollen and painful to touch. |
| Gastric Torsion | Due to the high content of gasses, the stomach becomes overstretched and twisted. |
| Elbow Dysplasia | A series of elbow joint development abnormalities. |
| Thrombopathy | Due to this condition when a dog gets cut, the body is not sending a proper signal to platelets to stop the bleeding and the dog can bleed out. |
| Entropion | The eyelids roll forward and the hair rubs against the eye causing pain and discomfort. |
| Otitis Externa | An inflammatory issue with the external ear canal. May be acute or chronic. |
| Ectropion | The lower eyelid rolls outward causing the tissues to dry and itch. |
| Glaucoma | A condition that may lead to blindness due to the build-up of fluid and pressure in the eyes. |
| von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD) | A bleeding disorder caused by a lack of VWD protein. |
| Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD). | Dysfunction of the hips causes pain and instability. |
The Basset Hound breed of dog is prone to a series of health problems due to its body type. They tend to become overweight in a short period of time which leads to a lot of health problems.
You should always check the parent’s health history before getting a basset hound. This way you will know what your basset hound is prone to and you can focus on avoiding these health issues as much as possible.
Basset hounds have short legs and most health problems start from there. They tend to have issues with the joints, hips, and elbows. Although they are short, basset hounds are considered medium to large dogs because they can weigh up to 60 pounds. That’s a lot of weight to put on such short legs.
People on the internet are suggesting some ”home remedies”, but I strongly recommend that if you notice some health problem, take your pet to the vet as soon as possible to get the needed care.
Taking your basset hound to the vet and getting regular blood results is something that every pet owner should do. This way you can monitor the overall health condition of the basset hound and act on time if a health issue arises.
Personality and Temperament of The Basset Hound
The basset hound is a relaxed and laid-back type of dog. You won’t see this type of breed being angry and aggressive. They get along with people and other animals. The only time you will see your basset hound excited is when he notices a good scent trail.
They are very calm which makes them the perfect pet for you if you live in an apartment. The basset hound can be a little bit stubborn when it comes to training. But, there are ways you can train your basset hound. They love getting food rewards. Each time they follow a command, award them with a treat.
Basset Hounds are stubborn when it comes to training, but love getting food rewards after they complete a command.
Basset hounds were originally bred as hunting dogs and from there they are pack dogs. They love to have company 24/7. If you are spending a lot of time on work, you should consider getting another dog to keep your basset hound company. They tend to bark very loudly if left alone for a long period of time. Your neighbors might not be happy hearing your dog barking all day.
If you get a puppy basset hound, you need to expose him to as many different people, sounds, and terrains as possible to ensure that your puppy will grow to be a well-rounded dog.
They don’t require much exercise and their energy levels are low. So, in order to socialize them, you might need to drive them to a dog park.
Basset Hound Care Requirements and Recommendations
Basset hounds are not hard to care for once you set up a daily routine. They just need lots of food, vitamins, and regular checkups with the vet.
Regarding food, basset hounds will need around 3 cups of food and 4 tablespoons of canned food per day. Usually, give them one and a half cups of food mixed with two tablespoons of canned food in the morning, and one and a half cups of food mixed with two tablespoons of canned food in the evening.
You should avoid feeding your basset hound junk food because they tend to get overweight very fast. An overweight dog will have a lot of health issues.
Basset hounds require 3 cups of food per day mixed with 4 tablespoons of canned food.
Because basset hounds are prone to bone-related health issues, you should get the foods and vitamins that will make their bones strong and healthy.
You should never feed your basset hound once a day. You should split the food portions and feed them one time in the morning and one time in the evening. If you feed them only once a day, they might bloat which is not good for them.
Basset hounds are prone to a health condition called Gastric Torsion where their stomach bloats and gets overstretched. Then, the stomach twists which results in a lot of pain and worse.
Although basset hounds are relaxed dogs that don’t require much exercise, you should set up a daily routine. Walking around the block is enough, as long as it is happening daily.
Basset hounds will also need to visit the veterinarian on a semi-regular basis.
If the vet suggests that some tests are needed to be done just as a precaution, do them. They are prone to a lot of health diseases and doing regular blood work can help in preventing some serious health issues.
The basset hounds need to be around people all the time. They love socializing with children, grown-ups, and other animals. You need to have your basset hound around people from an early age.
How Much Does a Basset Hound Cost
The cost of a basset hound can vary depending on the age of the dog and where you will get it from. Puppies are usually more expensive than adults. There is no fixed price on a puppy basset hound and an adult basset hound. The price will also be different if you are getting it from a breeder or adopting it from a shelter.
Adopting a Basset Hound will cost you around $300 and with that money, you are covering the cost of caring for the dog while in the shelter. Buying a puppy Basset Hound from a breeder costs $1200 on average while buying an adult Basset Hound from a breeder can cost you anywhere from $700 to $10,000 depending on the pedigree.
Another thing to consider when looking into getting a Basset Hound is the accessories that you will have to buy when you get the dog. All pets deserve a decent bed, food bowls, a leash and collar, quality food, and more. The cost adds up pretty quickly.
According to petbudget.com, the first year of owning a Basset Hound will cost you around $2650 and then $1450 per year after that. The thing is that in the first year, you spend more because your basset hound will need proper training, a decent bed, food bowls, a leash and collar, good quality foods, vaccination, a microchip, and probably some more.
In the second year, your expenses are way down because at that point you will be only spending money on grooming, food, and medical expenses if needed.
The basset hounds don’t eat and shouldn’t eat very much because they are prone to getting overweight. The average cost per month of food and treats will be $40 on average. The grooming cost on a yearly basis will be around $180.
Another thing to consider when thinking about the price of the basset hound itself is the vet bill. The basset hound breed of dog is very prone to a lot of diseases and health conditions that could be fatal if not treated on time.
Because of that, your Basset Hound will need regular visits to the veterinarian, plus emergency appointments for when they have health problems that require immediate medical attention.
History Of The Basset Hound
Basset Hounds have been around for 1000 years and they originate from France. In the 1870s the basset hound has been imported into Great Britain. They belong to the hound family and their sense of smell is good, they are only second to the Bloodhound.
The basset hounds have originally been bred as hunting dogs. That’s where they get a great sense of smell from. Even the basset hounds that we have today still have that great sense of smell.
Basset hounds were hunting dogs before they were luxury hounds.
Today, the basset hound is no longer used as a hunting dog. They are now considered luxury hounds. Many families enjoy the company of the basset hounds. They are very devoted to their owners, affectionate to kids, and overall loving. They can charm anyone with those long ears and cute sad eyes.
Are Basset Hounds for Me?
I have tried to do my best and list all the good and bad stuff about basset hounds. You should know all the information about basset hounds before you get one. Every dog deserves a loving home and you should be able to see if you can provide one for them. So, are basset hounds for you?
If you are willing and able to handle:
- A ton of love and affection
- A cute lapdog
- Someone to accompany you on short walks
- Tons of cuddling
- A constant companion
- Relaxed pet
- Gentle and loving animal
- A great family dog, especially with children
- Easy-going laid-back
- Low-maintenance
Then basset hound is definitely the dog for you!
However, if you don’t have the time or money for:
- Large vet. bills
- Subject to lots of health conditions
- Accessories
- The constant need for socialization
- Price of puppy and adult dog
- Emergency trips to the vet.
Then basset hound is probably not the one for you.
This is an amazing type of breed that everyone loves. But, it is not suitable for everyone’s lifestyle. Read all the information that I have provided and try to decide if a basset hound is the right dog for you.
