Basset Hound
Also known as: Basset
A low-slung, droopy-eared French scent hound with one of the finest noses in dogdom and a famously laid-back, friendly temperament. Basset Hounds are gentle, sociable and good-natured, bringing a charming, unhurried personality and an endearing fondness for their people to easygoing family homes.
Origin and purpose
The Basset Hound descends from French scent hounds (the name derives from "bas", meaning low), bred deliberately short-legged so hunters on foot could keep up as the dog tracked rabbits and hare by scent. It was refined into the modern show breed largely in 19th-century Britain.
Temperament
Kennel authorities describe the Basset as devoted, gentle, placid and sociable — wonderful with children and other dogs — but also notably independent and stubborn, ruled by its nose and slow to obey when a scent beckons. Patient, reward-based training works best. As ever, the individual dog predicts behaviour better than the breed (Morrill et al., Science 2022).
Health and longevity
The Basset's conformation drives several characteristic health concerns. Keep it lean, limit jumping, and clean the ears routinely.
Common health conditions
Living with a Basset Hound in Melbourne
This section is specific to Melbourne (NSW Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development). The rest of this guide applies to the breed anywhere.
NSW council
Dogs must be microchipped, vaccinated and registered with your local council within 6 months of age. No breed-size restrictions on council registration, but strata/rental restrictions apply.
RSPCA NSW: Not eligible
This breed is not eligible for RSPCA NSW.
Licensing
Council registration required by 6 months; lifetime registration A$43–$58 (desexed), A$192–$218 (entire); microchipping mandatory. Source: NSW Companion Animals Act 1998.
Climate & exercise in Melbourne
Melbourne is Temperate oceanic climate; warm summers (Dec–Feb, avg 26°C), mild winters; coastal humidity; no year-round tropical heat.. Exercise early morning or after 6pm in summer; avoid midday (Nov–Mar). Pavement heat test: if too hot for your hand 7 seconds, too hot for paws.. Brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldog, Pug, Bulldog) at elevated heatstroke risk in Sydney summers; limit outdoor time above 28°C. Watch for grass seeds (especially in outer suburbs) — can penetrate paw pads and ear canals.
Parasite prevention
Plan for Year-round heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) risk in greater Sydney; paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) in bushland fringe suburbs and surrounds — monthly prevention essential. Brown dog tick present year-round..
Cost of ownership in Melbourne
Local Basset Hound cost figures for Melbourne are being verified. Budget for purchase or adoption, initial setup, food, grooming, routine veterinary care, parasite prevention and pet insurance. Figures are quoted in A$.
Health & longevity
Responsible breeders health-test their breeding dogs. Ask to see current certificates before committing.
Nutrition note: Strongly obesity-prone with a long back — strict portion control is a back-protection measure as much as a weight one.
Known breed conditions
DNA & screening panel
Cost of ownership
FLAG: indicative Singapore estimate only — back (IVDD) and recurrent ear issues can add cost.
Registries
Sources & references
- AKC — Basset Hound breed standard & traits[Breed standard / registry]
- The Kennel Club (UK) — Basset Hound[Breed standard / registry]
- Merck Veterinary Manual — hereditary and breed-associated disease[Veterinary reference]
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) — breed health screening / CHIC testing[Peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA]
- NParks/AVS — Pets in HDB flats (approved small breeds; ≤55 cm shoulder height)[Breed standard / registry] · checked June 2026
- Morrill et al., "Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics…", Science 376 (2022) — breed ≈ 9% of behaviour[Peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA] · 2022
Source tiers: 1 = breed standard / registry authority; 2 = peer-reviewed / VetCompass / OFA; 3 = veterinary reference; 4 = encyclopaedic. PawHub cites only tiers 1–4 and never blogs or e-commerce pages. Behavioural traits carry low confidence — breed explains ~9% of individual behaviour variation (Morrill et al., Science 2022).
Image credits
- Image 1: Cali1008 · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons
- Image 2: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons
- Image 3: Eda · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons
