Basset Hound
巴吉度獵犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Basset Hound is a low-slung French scenthound with heavy bone, huge velvety ears and a nose second only to the Bloodhound's. Mild, patient and sociable at home, Bassets are stubborn on a scent and bark in a loud, ringing voice; a daily walk on lead keeps them fit, and weight control matters because they gain easily. Their long ears and droopy eyes need regular cleaning and checking.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 36–38cm |
| Weight | 18–32kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–13years |
| Breed group | AKC: hound FCI: 6 |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Short coat |
| Shedding | 2/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–60min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 3/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 4/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 5/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 4/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 2/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is reported in the breed. Ask your vet about thyroid testing if you notice weight gain, lethargy or coat changes.
Von Willebrand disease
An inherited bleeding disorder reported in the breed; a DNA test is available. Ask your breeder about testing and tell your vet before any surgery.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is commonly reported in small breeds; breeders screen for it. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma or lens luxation is reported in the breed; screening tests exist. Ask your vet urgently if an eye becomes cloudy, red or painful.
Bleeding disorders
Inherited bleeding disorders are reported in the breed; DNA tests exist. Tell your vet before any surgery.
Behaviour
Mild at home, stubborn on the trail
The CKC calls the Basset mild in temperament and a dependable friend and companion; the AKC says it is mild and agreeable at home but stubborn on the trail, barks in a loud ringing voice, and — bred to follow a track without distraction — is very independent, so training takes time, consistency and persistence with treats and early socialisation.
Moderate exercise, keep the weight off
The AKC says a daily walk at a moderate pace usually fills the bill and helps prevent the Basset becoming overweight, and that as a pack hound it enjoys canine company on outings; the CKC warns not to be fooled by the mournful look — one whiff of a scent and the Basset is off, capable of covering a great deal of distance in a short time.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 2/5 (fairly low) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 4/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Basset Hound
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Basset Hound (Hounds)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Basset Hound
Breed characteristics (size medium-large, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Basset Hound (standard no. 163, group 6)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's 'Is the Basset Hound the right dog for you?' page describes a gentle, sociable, loyal hound whose apparent stubbornness is really ingenuity at getting its own way, and says a Basset is not for you if you want a jogging or ball-playing partner, cannot fence a yard securely (they follow scents into danger), work long hours, need a guard dog or expect perfect obedience; it advises weekly ear cleaning and daily walks to keep the weight down.”
— Basset Hound Club of America — Is the Basset Hound the right dog for you? via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Basset Hound — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Basset Hound — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Basset Hound — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Basset Hound — FCI standard no. 163 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Is the Basset Hound the right dog for you? — Basset Hound Club of America — Basset Hound Club of America (public breed information) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.