Basset Hound
A giant nose on short legs — the mellow, mournful-eyed tracker.
Vital stats
| Size | Small-medium · 33–38 cm |
| Weight | 20–29 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–13 years |
| Energy | Low-moderate — 30–60 min/day |
| Shedding | Moderate, year-round |
| Coat | Short, smooth · tricolour, lemon & white |
| Group | Hound · FCI №163 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
French hunters wanted a hound slow enough to follow on foot, and the Basset delivers: methodical, tenacious and utterly absorbed once a trail opens. At home that translates to a calm, companionable pack animal — tolerant with children, sociable with dogs, and immovably stubborn whenever its nose outvotes your instructions.
Habits & quirks
Ground-floor reading
Every walk is a newspaper — expect long, dedicated pauses over invisible headlines.
The velvet ear drag
Those trailing ears stir scent up towards the nose, and collect a little of everything else.
Selective hearing
Recall works beautifully right up until a scent trail opens; then you no longer exist.
Full-volume opinions
Left alone or on a trail, the Basset bays — a deep, carrying song the whole street shares.
Care
| Feeding | Keep it lean without mercy — extra weight punishes the long spine and short joints. |
| Grooming | Clean the long ears and facial folds weekly; poor airflow makes both infection-prone. |
| Exercise | Steady daily walks on the lead — jumping and stairs deserve caution, especially in puppies. |
| Health | Watch the back and elbows, and see a vet promptly for ear odour or head-shaking. |
Common questions
Are Basset Hounds lazy?
Laid-back, not lazy — they still need daily walks to stay lean, but they're happy with a moderate pace and plenty of napping.
Do Basset Hounds need special care?
Yes — clean the long ears and facial folds regularly to prevent infection, watch the weight to protect the back, and expect some drool.
Are Basset Hounds good with other dogs?
Excellent, as a rule — they were bred to hunt in packs and genuinely enjoy canine company. Many are happiest with a second dog in the house.