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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+11
Dogs
# The Basset Hound: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Great Britain
A placid scenthound, sociable and surprisingly hardy beneath its good-natured appearance.
Size MediumLife expectancy 8–12 yearsBudget ≈ €130/monthPuppy €700 – €1,000
[Find a breeder 18](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=basset-hound)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Excellent
Daily exercise needs Moderate
Apartment living Very good
First-time owners Very good
Other pets Excellent
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Fair
Strengths and weaknesses
- Remarkable sociability: He generally gets along very well with children, dogs and other animals.
- Calm at home: His placid temperament makes family life easier and helps him adapt to apartment living.
- Exceptional scenting ability: His highly efficient nose makes him an excellent partner for search games.
- Surprising endurance: Despite his low silhouette, he enjoys sustained walks at a moderate pace.
- Stubborn temperament: His training requires patience, consistency and motivation.
- Back fragility: Overweight, stairs and jumps must be strictly limited.
- Targeted care: His ears, his eyes and his skin folds require regular monitoring.
- Poorly tolerated solitude: Very attached to his social group, he can get bored during prolonged absences.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Families with children: Its gentleness and patience make it a valued family companion.
- Households with pets: Its pack-dog temperament encourages well-prepared cohabitation.
- Calm and available owners: It seeks companionship and enjoys regular walks without extreme sports.
- Scent activity enthusiasts: Tracking games fully meet its natural abilities.
Not recommended for
- People often absent: Prolonged daily solitude can cause boredom and discomfort.
- Homes with many stairs: Repeated climbs increase strain on its elongated back.
- Athletes looking for a fast dog: Its morphology is better suited to moderate endurance than to explosive efforts.
- Owners not very strict about feeding: Its greed quickly leads to overweight and its complications.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
36 cmBasset Hound
- Height at the withers
- 33–38 cm
- Weight
- 25–30 kg
- Coat
- Short, smooth and close
- FCI group
- 6
- Origin
- Great Britain
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Basset Hound in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Basset Hound has deep French roots, but the breed was developed and perfected in Great Britain, then in the United States. It descends notably from the old Basset Artois, other old basset breeds and the Saint Hubert Hound. Highly appreciated as a scenthound for its nose, its tenacity and its ability to follow a trail, it became widely spread in Great Britain from the end of the 19th century, then across the Atlantic in the middle of the 20th century. Its friendly and sociable temperament then allowed it to become an appreciated companion dog. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognizes the breed under number 163, in group 6.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Basset Hound is a powerful, harmonious, elongated dog and very low on legs. Its back is broad, its sternum prominent and its ribs well rounded. Its head with a domed skull has a marked occipital protuberance, a moderate stop, supple skin and a few light folds. Its long ears, set low, extend slightly beyond the tip of the muzzle. Its diamond-shaped eyes are dark to medium brown and give it a characteristic melancholy expression. Its coat is short, smooth and close. The coat can be tricolour black, tan and white, bicolour lemon and white, or show any other colour accepted in scenthounds. Its tail, fairly long and thick at the base, is carried high in a gentle curve when it is alert.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Placid, gentle and friendly, the Basset Hound is generally very sociable with children, its fellow dogs and other animals. It is not very aggressive, readily playful and very attached to its home. Its indolent appearance hides a stubborn scenthound, endowed with a remarkable sense of smell, real strength and surprising endurance. Its hunting instinct is pronounced and an interesting scent can easily capture all its attention. It can also be vocal and make its deep voice heard.
Affectionate Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
The Basset Hound seeks the company of its family and copes poorly with long and repeated solitude. It adapts to urban life and to apartment living if stairs are avoided and if it benefits each day from sufficient walks. It particularly enjoys outings in nature, where it can explore with its nose. Calm at home, it remains capable of following a trail for a long time outdoors. Its greediness and its unhurried pace require monitoring its weight without neglecting its need for activity.
Training
## Training and socialization
His training must start early and remain firm, consistent, fair and kind. The Basset Hound understands what is expected of him, but his stubborn temperament and his interest in scents can slow down learning. Short, motivating and rewarded sessions give better results than power struggles. Recall and leash walking deserve special attention because of his chasing instinct. Early socialization complements his naturally sociable nature.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Basset Hound
The purchase price depends on the quality of the breeding, the pedigree, the health guarantees, the bloodline, the age and the intended purpose of the dog. You must also anticipate the health, food, insurance and equipment expenses related to a heavy, low-slung dog.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/basset-hound/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Basset Hound enjoys generally good health, but its long, low morphology requires particular vigilance. Weight control, back protection, long ear hygiene, eye cleaning and skin monitoring are essential throughout its life.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/basset-hound/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The diet of the Basset Hound must maintain correct muscle mass without promoting excess weight. A complete, digestible formula adapted to its age, its activity level and its body condition is recommended, with a precisely measured ration.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/basset-hound/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
Despite its very short legs and its falsely sad expression, the Basset Hound is an active and enduring hunting dog. Its long ears and supple skin help to retain and direct scent particles toward its nose when it follows a trail. Its now iconic silhouette has largely contributed to its popularity as a family dog, without erasing its abilities as a scenthound.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Basset Hound
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Can the Basset Hound live in an apartment?
Yes, it adapts well to apartment living if it goes out every day and if stairs are avoided as much as possible. Its calm indoors is an asset, but its walks and scent stimulation remain essential.
### Does the Basset Hound get along with children and animals?
It is generally gentle, patient and very sociable with children, dogs and other animals. Interactions with young children should nevertheless always be supervised and respectful.
### Is the Basset Hound easy to train?
It may suit a patient beginner, but its stubborn nature and powerful sense of smell require consistency, motivation and regularity. Positive methods and short sessions are the most suitable.
### How much exercise does the Basset Hound need?
It needs good daily walks. It does not need intense exercise, but enjoys long outings at a moderate pace and scent-search activities.
### Does the Basset Hound shed a lot?
Yes, despite its short coat, shedding can be noticeable. Weekly brushing, more frequent during shedding season, helps remove dead hair.
## Find a Basset Hound breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Basset Hound breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Basset Hound breeders in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound/auvergne-rhone-alpes) [Basset Hound breeders in Brittany3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound/brittany) [Basset Hound breeders in Hauts-de-France3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound/hauts-de-france)
### Basset Hound breeders by country
[41 breeders of Basset Hound in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound/italy) [30 breeders of Basset Hound in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound/germany) [18 breeders of Basset Hound in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound) [10 breeders of Basset Hound in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound/united-kingdom) [9 breeders of Basset Hound in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound/denmark) [5 breeders of Basset Hound in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound/austria) [3 breeders of Basset Hound in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound/finland) [3 breeders of Basset Hound in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound/netherlands) [3 breeders of Basset Hound in Slovakia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound/slovakia) [2 breeders of Basset Hound in Hungary](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound/hungary)
[All breeders of Basset Hound in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound)
## Ready to welcome a Basset Hound?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-basset-hound)
## Discover other breeds
[Norman Artesian Basset
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/norman-artesian-basset)
[Blue Gascony Basset
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/blue-gascony-basset)
[Westphalian Dachsbracke
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/westphalian-dachsbracke)
[Alpine Dachsbracke
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/alpine-dachsbracke)
[Basset Fauve de Bretagne
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/basset-fauve-de-bretagne)
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