From Developed in Great Britain in the late 19th century from French short-legged basset hounds; FCI lists the country of origin as Great Britain, while the ancestral stock is French.123
FCI and AKC standards set no weight. Sex-specific figures are from Wikipedia; VCA gives 40-60 lb (about 18-27 kg) for the breed overall. The Royal Kennel Club classes the breed as medium-large.
A low-slung, heavy-boned hound with a deep chest, big rounded feet and a long body carried close to the ground. The hair is short, close-lying and firm enough to shrug off the weather, with no feathering. Loose, elastic skin gathers into soft wrinkles on the head and a noticeable dewlap at the throat, and the very long, velvety ears hang in folds and curl inward. On the move the tail is carried up in a gentle sabre curve.15
Coloursblack, white and tan (tricolour)lemon and white (bicolour)tan and whiteany recognised hound colour152
Personality what they are like
A mellow, good-natured companion that is neither snappy nor shy and is deeply loyal to its people. Bassets usually mix happily with children, other dogs and household pets, and meet strangers with friendliness or calm indifference. As pack-bred scent hounds they are independent thinkers with a strong will of their own, and they have a rich, deep bay they are happy to use.1542
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate: up to about an hour a day. Bassets enjoy steady walks with plenty of time to sniff rather than fast, intense exercise, but they have real stamina for long outings. Keep them on a lead or in secure areas, because a good scent can pull them far off course.341
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush the short, dense coat about once a week; shedding is average. Wipe and dry the facial wrinkles and lips regularly, and check and clean the long ears as part of routine care. Training goes best with patience and food rewards, since the breed can be single-minded.34
Home where they are happiest
Fits well into family life as a calm house dog. The Royal Kennel Club suggests a larger home with a small to medium garden, and a securely fenced outdoor space is useful for a dog that follows its nose. Bassets are most comfortable in moderate climates.34
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A complete, balanced adult dog food with measured portions suits the breed well, because Bassets love their food and are easy to overfeed. Puppies do well on a large-breed growth formula. Count training treats as part of the daily ration.4
Company who they like around
Bred to hunt in packs, Bassets enjoy company, whether human or canine, and usually get on well with other dogs and pets. They are devoted to their family and happiest when included in daily life.142
The story where it all began
The Basset's roots lie in the scent hounds of medieval France, including the St Hubert hounds kept by monks in the Ardennes, and short-legged hounds of this kind appear in Jacques du Fouilloux's hunting book La Venerie of 1585. Their low build let huntsmen on foot follow hare, rabbit and other small game through thick cover. Planned breeding took off in France around 1870, when Count Le Couteulx and Louis Lane developed the Artois and Normand types. English interest grew after bassets were shown in Paris in 1863; Lord Galway brought over a pair in 1866, and Sir Everett Millais, often called the father of the modern Basset Hound, began showing and breeding them in the mid-1870s, later crossing in Bloodhound blood to create a heavier dog. The Kennel Club classified the breed around 1880, and royal owners including Queen Alexandra helped make it fashionable. In the United States the AKC registered its first Bassets in 1885, the Basset Hound Club of America gained recognition in 1937 and held the first Basset field trial that year, and a 1928 Time magazine cover helped turn the breed into a popular family pet.2671
Fun facts for the dinner table
1
The name comes from the French 'bas', meaning low, with the diminutive ending '-et', so a basset is roughly 'a rather low dog'.2
2
Those long ears and loose facial skin are thought to help sweep up and hold ground scent close to the nose; its scenting ability is often ranked second only to the Bloodhound's.2
3
A basset named Mr. Jeffries from Southwick, England, entered the 2004 Guinness Book of World Records with ears measured at 11.5 inches (about 29 cm); his grandfather Biggles had been a Hush Puppies model.8
4
A Basset Hound has been the face of Hush Puppies shoes since 1958, and the comic strip dog Fred Basset has been running since 1963.2
5
A Basset puppy appeared on the cover of Time magazine on 27 February 1928, for a Westminster dog show story.6
6
In 1956 Elvis Presley sang 'Hound Dog' to a basset called Sherlock on The Steve Allen Show.2
7
The first AKC Basset Hound field trial, held at Hastings, Michigan, on 24 October 1937, drew seven hounds, which ran in pairs under Beagle trial rules.7
This morning I gave my humans a proper wake-up call with a good, deep bay. After breakfast, we set off for our sniffy walk. I followed a fascinating trail all the way to the park, where I flopped down for a nice nap in the sun. Later, the kids came home and I let them pat my long, silky ears. At dinner time, I sat by my bowl and gave my best hopeful look. A perfect day of smells, naps and love.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
Recognised by the official bits
FCI
Standard no. 163, Group 6 Scent hounds and related breeds, Section 1.3 Small-sized hounds; standard published 13.10.2010, country of origin Great Britain.1
AKC
Hound Group. First Bassets registered in 1885; the current AKC standard was approved 14 January 1964.5
The Royal Kennel Club
Hound group; listed as not a vulnerable native breed. The Kennel Club gave the breed a formal classification around 1880.3
Basset Hound Club of America
National breed club, recognised by the AKC in 1937; held the first AKC-sanctioned Basset field trial the same year.7
Popularity Ranked 34th of AKC-registered breeds in 2025, a position it has held since 2023.9
The care rhythm a typical week and year
A typical home-care rhythm for a Basset Hound. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseAbout 45 minutes a dayevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
Treats they will love homemade and simple
Basset Hound tip
Basset Hounds love their food, so keep treats to a minimum and never give table scraps. Use healthy, low-calorie treats and account for them in their daily food allowance to help prevent weight gain.
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Basset Hound, and at what times?
Feed your Basset Hound at least two measured meals a day for an adult, and three to four smaller meals for a puppy. Because Bassets love food and can easily overeat, stick to set meal times and count treats as part of the daily ration. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.410
What should a Basset Hound eat, and which foods are dangerous?
A complete, balanced adult dog food with measured portions is best, and puppies do well on a large-breed growth formula. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and macadamia nuts, so keep these well away from your Basset.411
How often should I bathe a Basset Hound?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a bath about every eight weeks, or at least once every three months. You can bathe more often if your Basset gets very dirty or has skin issues, but always use a gentle dog shampoo.12Pet Wiki plan
How often does a Basset Hound need brushing?
Brush your Basset Hound's short, smooth coat about once a week to manage average shedding. Regular brushing keeps the coat healthy and is a nice bonding time.3412Pet Wiki plan
How do I trim a Basset Hound's nails, and how often?
Trim your Basset's nails about every four weeks, or sooner if you hear them clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick, and if you are unsure, ask your vet or a groomer to show you.12Pet Wiki plan
How much exercise does a Basset Hound need?
Your Basset Hound needs moderate exercise, about 45 minutes to an hour each day. They enjoy steady walks with plenty of sniffing, but always keep them on a lead or in a secure area because a good scent can lead them away.341Pet Wiki plan
How do I look after a Basset Hound's teeth and ears?
Brush your Basset's teeth ideally daily, or at least two to three times a week, using dog toothpaste. Check and dry the long, floppy ears weekly to prevent moisture buildup, and never push anything into the ear canal.1234Pet Wiki plan
How long does a Basset Hound live?
A Basset Hound typically lives between 10 and 15 years. With good care, regular vet checkups, and a healthy lifestyle, many enjoy a long, happy life.243
Is a Basset Hound good with children and other pets?
Yes, Basset Hounds are usually wonderful with children, other dogs, and household pets. They are mellow, good-natured, and deeply loyal, making them a great family companion.1542
Can a Basset Hound be left alone?
Basset Hounds are pack-bred and enjoy company, so they are happiest when included in daily life. They can be left alone for reasonable periods if well-exercised and entertained, but prolonged solitude may lead to boredom or barking. For specific advice, ask a good breeder or your vet.142
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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