All breeds › Basset Hound
Basset Hound
A low-slung scent hound with long ears and a remarkable nose.
♥ Swipe on the Basset HoundQuick facts
- Origin
- France
- Size
- Medium
- Energy
- Low
- Bred for
- Tracking by scent
- Lifespan
- 10–12 years
- Temperament
- Patient, gentle, stubborn
- Exercise
- 40 min/day
- Grooming
- Low
- Shedding
- Medium
- Training
- Challenging
- With children
- Great
- Apartment
- Maybe
Where the Basset Hound comes from
Basset Hounds were bred in France from older hound lines, with the name coming from the French word bas, meaning low. They were used to track hares and rabbits on foot.
Personality and daily life
Patient, gentle and stubborn. Bassets are good with children and other dogs, and will follow a scent at the expense of any command.
Bassets follow scent trails and ignore commands that get in the way. Their ears and skin folds need regular cleaning.
Exercise, grooming and health
Regular walks on a lead. Their long ears and skin folds need frequent cleaning. Weight management, back problems and ear infections are common. They drool and can be smelly.
Is a Basset Hound right for you?
Relaxed families who accept stubbornness and drool.
- Great with children
- Can be stubborn, better for experienced owners
- Easy to groom
Similar breeds
Profiles are general guides. Individual dogs vary, so always meet the dog and talk to a breeder, shelter or vet.