Basset Hound

First bred in France, Basset Hounds were used as hunting dogs. (“Basset” translates to “short” or “low.”) These low-riders were the result of an accidental short-legged mutation, and they became especially popular after the French Revolution when people could no longer afford horses needed for hunting. They first showed up in America in the late 1800s.

The ideal owner will have patience when it comes to the obstinate Basset Hound, especially when they are chasing down scents. Owners will need to commit to regular exercise to ensure they don’t gain too much weight which can put a strain on their backs. They make good family dogs thanks to their goofy and loveable nature.

Get ready to wander with a Basset Hound for about an hour’s worth of exercise a day, including scent work for enrichment. They can be lazy if given a chance to be, so you’ll need to put on your best cheerleader face to ensure they get enough exercise to keep them from health problems related to weight. Because of the length of their bodies, Bassets should not be allowed to go up and down stairs until they are 18 months old.

A Basset Hound is a country dog at heart, and while they don’t need a huge amount of exercise, they need a ton of variety in their routines to show off their incredible nose work. Scentwork sparks joy in them, so it’s important an owner indulges this desire and not get frustrated as they chase down scent leads. Their famous howl can be startling to those who aren’t used to it, so it’s best if you don’t have close neighbors.

While this droopy-eared doggo might ignore any and all efforts of training, the Basset Hound definitely makes up for it with low grooming needs. A quick brush once a week will get the job done. You’ll need to check their skin, eyes, and long ears every other day. Clean them and make sure they are thoroughly dried to prevent infection.

Don’t be surprised if your Basset Hound ignores you when it comes to training—they feel it’s a pointless exercise. They’ll abandon everything once they’re hot on a scent, including you, so it’s important to teach them to walk on a leash. Their recall is unreliable, no matter how much time you spend working on it. If you can find scent-specific classes, it can help you celebrate the Basset Hound’s strengths rather than focus on its shortcomings. Separation anxiety runs deep in this breed, so they cannot be left alone without a companion for long periods of time.

Patient and friendly, Basset Hounds make wonderful family dogs, even for families with small children. It is important however that children are taught not to take advantage of this good nature by playing roughly with them.

The cost of a Basset Hound from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.