Hardly any dog breed is as instantly recognisable as the Basset Hound: the short, bowed legs, the long back and the ears that reach almost to the ground. Yet behind this distinctive appearance is a dog with a character all its own, one that has delighted families for generations. In this guide you'll find out where the Basset Hound comes from, how to train it appropriately and what to pay particular attention to in its nutrition, so it stays healthy and mobile for as long as possible.
Breed profile and temperament
The Basset Hound belongs to the scent hound group and was originally bred for hunting small game. Its exceptionally fine nose is among the best of all dog breeds, second only to the Bloodhound. Despite its hunting roots, the Basset Hound is best known today as a laid-back family companion: calm, friendly and with a fair share of stubbornness.
Anyone taking in a Basset Hound should know that this dog likes to do things at its own pace. It usually understands commands very well, but would rather think twice about carrying them out if there's nothing in it for them. This independent streak makes it lovable, but also demands patience and consistency from its people. The Basset Hound generally gets on wonderfully with children: it's calm, rarely aggressive and usually takes commotion in its stride. It's also typically friendly and sociable towards other dogs.
Visually, besides the long ears, what stands out most is the long, muscular back, resting on short, sturdy legs. This distinctive body shape looks charming, but it also brings certain health considerations, which we'll cover in more detail further below.
Origin and history
The Basset Hound's roots lie in France, where short-legged scent hounds were already being bred for hunting on foot in the Middle Ages. The name "Basset" derives from the French word "bas", meaning "low", a direct reference to its short-legged build. This shortness of leg was originally no accident, but deliberate: hunters could keep pace with the Basset Hound on foot while it picked up the scent of rabbits and other small game with its nose to the ground.
In the 19th century the breed made its way to England, where it was further developed and eventually officially recognised as a distinct breed. From there, the Basset Hound spread throughout Europe and later to North America, where it remains a popular family dog to this day. Its hunting abilities have been preserved to this day, even though most Basset Hounds now live purely as family dogs and put their scenting skills to use mainly while sniffing around the garden or on walks.
Training and everyday life
A Basset Hound isn't a dog that operates on command like a machine. It thinks things through, weighs things up and likes to decide for itself whether an instruction is worth its while. For training, this means: stay consistent, but don't work with pressure. Positive reinforcement, plenty of praise and small successes achieve considerably more with this breed than strict commands. Training works best when you start early with the puppy and apply rules consistently from the outset, because once a Basset Hound as stubborn as this has learned "I'm allowed to do that", it's hard to unlearn.
Because of its strong sense of smell, the Basset Hound is easily distracted outdoors. As soon as it picks up an interesting trail, it listens to its nose rather than to you. A reliably trained recall and keeping it on a lead in confusing terrain are therefore a good idea. But this very sense of smell can also be used wonderfully for mental stimulation: scent work is the ideal activity for a Basset Hound. Sniffing games, hiding treats in the garden or simple trail work clearly bring it joy and challenge it mentally without putting excessive strain on its body.
The Basset Hound's exercise needs are moderate but present. Daily walks at a gentle pace do it good, while you should avoid excessive jogging or long jumps, to protect its back and joints. One to two extended walks a day, combined with scent work and calm play, suit this breed's nature best.
The right nutrition for the Basset Hound
Hardly any dog breed tends towards excess weight as strongly as the Basset Hound. Its laid-back nature, its love of food and its rather low drive to exercise are a combination that quickly leads to extra kilos. Excess weight is particularly problematic for this breed because extra pounds put even more strain on the already burdened long back and short legs. A calorie-conscious, well-portioned diet is therefore one of the most important building blocks for a long, healthy dog's life.
Make sure to adjust the amount of food to your Basset Hound's age, weight and activity level and check it regularly, rather than simply feeding by feel. A fixed feeding routine with two smaller meals a day is usually better than one large portion, and it also eases digestion. High-quality food with a balanced ratio of protein, fat and fibre supports a healthy body weight while providing all the nutrients your dog needs.
For dry food, you can browse our dry food range for recipes designed for a balanced nutrient supply. If you'd rather serve your dog a moister meal or want to supplement the dry food, you'll find suitable alternatives in our wet food range. Since every Basset Hound has a different activity level and age, it's worth taking a look at our food finder, which puts together suitable food recommendations for your dog based on just a few details.
Weigh your Basset Hound regularly and feel its ribs: they should be palpable beneath a thin layer of fat without being clearly visible. If that's not the case, talk to your vet about adjusting the amount of food before the excess weight sets in and places additional strain on the joints and back.
Chews and treats in moderation
For many Basset Hounds, chews are among the greatest joys of everyday life, since intensive chewing is fun, relieves stress and keeps teeth clean. Precisely because this breed tends towards excess weight, though, the rule for snacks is: choose carefully and keep an eye on the amount. As a general rule, factor chews and treats into the daily ration rather than giving them on top of normal food.
Natural chews without unnecessary additives are a good choice for the Basset Hound, as they're usually more calorie-conscious than heavily processed snacks while still offering long-lasting occupation. In our natural chews you'll find a selection for different preferences, from smaller chews for in between to longer-lasting snacks for calm chewing sessions on the dog bed. As a training reward, smaller, easy-to-dose natural treats are particularly well suited, since you can give them in small morsels and so control the total calorie count more easily.
A practical tip: break larger chews into smaller pieces, or choose smaller sizes from the outset, if your Basset Hound tends towards excess weight. That way the chewing fun stays intact without the calorie balance getting out of hand. If you're unsure which chews best suit your dog, our chew finder helps you make a suitable choice.
Health and care
The Basset Hound's long back is both its most characteristic feature and its most sensitive spot. The spine is under particular strain in this breed, as it carries a relatively long backbone on short legs. So avoid excessive stair climbing, jumping off the sofa or out of the car, and jerky movements. Small ramps or steps at raised resting spots can help ease the strain on the back in everyday life. When lifting your Basset Hound, you should also always support it with both hands under the chest and hindquarters, rather than lifting it just under the front legs.
The long, drooping ears are another feature that needs special attention. Because they let hardly any air reach the ear canal, moisture easily builds up there, which can encourage ear infections. Check your Basset Hound's ears regularly for redness, an unpleasant smell or excess earwax, and clean them carefully with a suitable ear cleaner when needed. After bathing or in wet weather, it's worth drying the ears thoroughly too, so moisture doesn't accumulate inside them.
Besides the back and ears, you should keep a regular eye on this breed's weight, as already described in the nutrition section, and watch its eyes, as some Basset Hounds are prone to watery eyes. The short, low-maintenance coat doesn't need elaborate grooming; weekly brushing is usually enough to remove loose hair and keep the coat in good condition. If you're unsure whether the Basset Hound's breed-typical traits suit your ideas about keeping and grooming a dog, our breed finder gives you an overview of other breeds with a similar or different profile.
Frequently asked questions
How much exercise does a Basset Hound need?
One to two walks of around 30 to 45 minutes each at a gentle pace are enough for most Basset Hounds. Regular, even exercise without abrupt jumps or peak strain that could stress the back matters more than long distances.
Why does the Basset Hound tend so strongly towards excess weight?
The combination of a laid-back nature, a strong appetite and a moderate drive to exercise makes the Basset Hound prone to extra kilos. A calorie-conscious, well-portioned diet and regular weight checks are therefore particularly important to protect its joints and long back.
How often should I check my Basset Hound's ears?
A weekly check has proven effective, more often for dogs that are physically active or after bathing. Watch for redness, smell or unusual earwax, and act early to prevent infections.
Is the Basset Hound suitable for families with children?
Yes, the Basset Hound is considered a patient, friendly family dog that usually takes commotion in its stride. As with any dog breed, however, interaction between child and dog should always be supervised, and both sides should be taught respect for each other.
Character & who the Basset Hound suits
In short, the Basset Hound is best suited to: calm, patient families who like a laid-back nose hound.
- Size: medium
- Energy level: calm
- With children: very good with children
- Flat living: fine with enough exercise
- For beginners: with some experience
- Coat care: moderate maintenance
- Trainability: independent-minded
- Watchfulness: not a particularly strong guard dog
Not sure whether this breed suits your life? Find out with our breed finder "Which dog breed suits me?".
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