Long Haired Basset Hound: Breed Profile: Care: and What

If you've ever scrolled through rescue listings or breeder pages and stumbled on a Basset Hound with an unexpectedly flowing, feathered coat, you've likely met the long haired Basset Hound. This isn't a separate breed — it's a recognized coat variation within the standard Basset Hound, produced by a recessive gene that lengthens the fur around the ears, legs, chest, and tail. While the American Kennel Club registers them under the same breed standard, their distinctive appearance and slightly different grooming demands make them a unique consideration for prospective owners.

This profile covers everything you need to know about the long haired Basset Hound in practical, owner-level detail: real size ranges, verified health predispositions with prevalence data, honest cost breakdowns, and the day-to-day reality of living with one.

Breed Overview: Origin, Size Class, and Lifespan

The Basset Hound traces its lineage to 6th-century France, where monks at the Abbey of St. Hubert bred low-slung scent hounds for hunting on foot. The name itself comes from the French word bas, meaning "low." Modern Bassets were further refined in England during the 1800s, with Sir Everett Millais playing a pivotal role in establishing the breed in British kennels by the 1870s. The AKC recognized the Basset Hound in 1885.

The long coat variant appears sporadically in litters when both parents carry the recessive long-hair gene (associated with the FGF5 gene locus). These dogs are purebred Bassets in every other respect — same build, same nose-driven brain, same howl.

Long Haired Basset Hound — Quick Reference

Size Class	Medium (heavy-boned)
Weight Range	40–65 lb / 18–29 kg
Height at Shoulder	11–15 inches / 28–38 cm
Lifespan	12–13 years (range 10–15)
Coat Type	Long, slightly wavy, feathered on ears/legs/chest/tail
Energy Level	Low to moderate
Grooming Frequency	Brushing 3–4×/week; bath every 4–6 weeks
Family Fit	Excellent with children; good with other dogs; cat-compatible with early socialization

Physical Characteristics and the Long Coat Difference

A long haired Basset Hound shares the standard breed's unmistakable silhouette: a long, heavy body draped over short, crooked legs (a structure called achondroplasia), pendulous ears that can reach past the nose when stretched forward, and a prominent sternum with deep chest. The coat is where they diverge visually.

Where a standard Basset has a short, dense, smooth coat that lies flat, the long haired variant displays feathering along the ear leathers (sometimes adding 2–4 inches of fringe), longer fur on the back of the forelegs and hindquarters, a fuller chest ruff, and a plumed tail. The base coat may still be relatively short along the back, creating a two-toned texture. All standard Basset color patterns appear: tricolor (black/white/tan), red and white, lemon and white, and mahogany.

Adult males typically land in the 50–65 lb (23–29 kg) range; females tend toward 40–55 lb (18–25 kg). Height at the withers should not exceed 15 inches (38 cm) per the AKC breed standard — dogs taller than this are considered outside standard, though they're perfectly healthy pets.

Temperament and Personality: Five Core Traits

Basset Hounds were bred to hunt in packs, follow scent trails for miles, and vocalize constantly so hunters on foot could track their position. Every personality quirk you'll encounter traces back to that working purpose.

1. Scent-Driven to the Point of Oblivion. A Basset with its nose down is effectively deaf to commands. This isn't stubbornness — it's neurology. Bassets have approximately 220 million scent receptors (second only to the Bloodhound among recognized breeds). If your long haired Basset picks up a rabbit trail at the park, expect 30–60 seconds of complete unresponsiveness. Always use a long-line leash (15–30 ft) in unfenced areas; off-leash recall is unreliable for the vast majority of Bassets regardless of training level.

2. Vocal and Expressive. Bassets produce three distinct vocalizations: a deep, resonant bark for alerts; a prolonged howl (often called a "baying" or "aroo") when excited or lonely; and a low grumble/moan that functions as a complaint or request. Apartment dwellers should know that the howl carries through walls and can trigger noise complaints. Most Bassets bay when left alone for more than 4–6 hours without stimulation.

3. Genuinely Affectionate Without Being Clingy. Unlike breeds that shadow owners room-to-room, Bassets prefer to be in the same general area, typically lying on a cool floor surface with one body part touching your foot. They seek physical contact on their own terms — expect a heavy head resting on your knee during TV time, but don't expect them to follow you to the bathroom.

4. Stubborn but Not Unintelligent. Bassets rank low on obedience-based intelligence scales (Stanley Coren places them at #71 out of 138 breeds for working/obedience intelligence), but this measures compliance, not problem-solving ability. They understand commands perfectly well — they simply evaluate whether compliance serves their interests. Food motivation is the single most reliable training lever.

5. Gentle and Tolerant with Handling. Historically handled by hunters, children, and kennel staff in pack environments, Bassets have a remarkably high threshold for physical manipulation. They tolerate ear cleaning, nail trimming, and clumsy petting from toddlers with unusual patience. That said, tolerance is not the same as enjoyment — always watch for lip-licking, whale eye, or body stiffening as stress signals.

Exercise and Activity Requirements

Despite their low-slung build, Bassets are not couch ornaments. They were bred to work all day at a slow, steady trot. An under-exercised Basset becomes a destructive, vocal, overweight Basset — and obesity compounds every structural health risk this breed carries.

Daily Exercise Framework — Long Haired Basset Hound

Life Stage	Daily Duration	Activity Types	Notes
Puppy (4–12 months)	20–35 minutes	Short leash walks (5 min per month of age, twice daily); sniffari sessions in yard	Avoid repetitive stair use; growth plates still open
Adult (1–7 years)	30–60 minutes	Two 15–30 min leash walks; scent-work games; swimming (excellent low-impact option)	Split into AM/PM sessions; avoid midday heat (>80°F/27°C)
Senior (8+ years)	20–40 minutes	One or two shorter walks; gentle hill terrain for joint mobility; nose-work indoors	Monitor for stiffness; reduce duration if IVDD symptoms appear

Best activities for this breed: Scent tracking and nose-work trials (AKC Scent Work titling is available and ideal for Bassets), leisurely hiking on even terrain, swimming (the long coat takes longer to dry — towel thoroughly and check ears afterward), and food-puzzle enrichment that engages their foraging instincts.

Activities to avoid: Agility involving high jumps or repetitive spinal flexion, long-distance running on pavement, and any exercise in extreme heat. Bassets are surprisingly heat-sensitive due to their heavy bone mass and limited surface-area-to-volume ratio. Heatstroke risk increases sharply above 85°F (29°C).

Health Issues: Breed-Specific Conditions and Prevalence

The Basset Hound's unique skeletal structure — achondroplastic dwarfism combined with a heavy, elongated torso — creates a specific set of health vulnerabilities. Always consult your veterinarian for individualized health planning; the data below represents breed-level trends from veterinary literature.

Common Health Conditions in Basset Hounds

Condition	Description	Estimated Prevalence	Typical Treatment Cost (USD)
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)	Degeneration or herniation of spinal discs, causing pain, weakness, or paralysis. The elongated spine and chondrodysplastic structure are primary risk factors.	~15–25% of Bassets develop clinical signs in their lifetime	Conservative: $500–$2,000; Surgical: $3,000–$8,000+
Otitis Externa (Ear Infections)	Chronic ear canal inflammation driven by the long, heavy ear leathers that trap moisture and debris. Long coat feathering compounds the problem.	Up to 50% of Bassets experience recurrent episodes	$150–$400 per episode; chronic cases $800–$2,500/year
Glaucoma	Increased intraocular pressure damaging the optic nerve. Primary (hereditary) glaucoma has documented prevalence in the breed.	~5–7% lifetime risk; typically onset 3–7 years	$1,500–$4,000 per eye for surgical intervention
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV / Bloat)	Stomach distension and rotation — a life-threatening emergency. Deep-chested breeds like the Basset are at elevated risk.	Estimated 3–5% lifetime risk	Emergency surgery: $3,000–$7,000
Obesity-Related Orthopedic Disease	Excess weight accelerates joint degeneration, worsens IVDD risk, and strains the already compromised skeletal frame.	30–45% of pet Bassets are overweight per veterinary body condition scoring	Preventive; management costs vary widely

Prevention priorities: Maintain a lean body condition score (BCS 4–5 out of 9 on the WSAVA scale). Use a harness rather than a collar to reduce cervical spine strain. Feed two smaller meals rather than one large meal to lower GDV risk, and avoid vigorous exercise for 60 minutes after eating. For ear infections, establish a weekly ear-cleaning routine using a veterinarian-recommended drying ear cleanser (products containing salicylic acid or boric acid are common for drop-eared breeds).

Grooming the Long Coat: Tools, Frequency, and Ear Care

The long haired Basset's coat is not high-maintenance by Poodle or Husky standards, but it demands noticeably more attention than the smooth-coated variant. Plan for 15–25 minutes of grooming, 3–4 times per week.

Essential tools:

• Slicker brush (medium-size, curved-pin) for the feathered areas on ears, legs, and tail
• Steel greyhound comb (medium-tooth) for checking and clearing tangles behind the ears and in the armpit area
• Rubber curry brush or grooming mitt for the shorter body coat — removes loose hair and distributes oils
• Blunt-nosed thinning shears for trimming paw-pad hair and tidying ear fringe if desired
• Ear-drying solution and cotton balls (never cotton swabs inside the canal)

Key grooming trouble spots: The area directly behind and under the ear leathers is the #1 matting zone — the long ear fur rubs against the neck ruff and tangles. Check this area every brushing session. After any outdoor activity in brush or tall grass, inspect the leg feathering for burrs, foxtails, and ticks. Foxtail awns can migrate into ear canals and between toes; the longer coat makes detection harder.

Ear care protocol: Lift each ear leather, apply 3–5 drops of a veterinarian-recommended ear cleanser, massage the base of the ear canal for 15–20 seconds, allow the dog to shake, then wipe visible debris with a cotton ball. Perform this weekly, or twice weekly during humid months. If you notice a yeasty or foul odor, dark discharge, or the dog scratching excessively, schedule a veterinary ear cytology — do not treat empirically with leftover drops, as bacterial and yeast infections require different medications.

Training and Intelligence: What Actually Works

Trainability rating: Moderate — capable of learning complex behaviors, but requires high-value motivation and patience with latency (the delay between command and compliance).

Bassets respond almost exclusively to positive reinforcement methods. Force-free training using food rewards (small, high-value treats like freeze-dried liver or boiled chicken in pea-sized pieces), clicker marking, and life-reward systems (earning access to sniff-time or door-opening by sitting) produces reliable results. Aversive tools — shock collars, prong collars, alpha rolls — are counterproductive with this breed. Bassets shut down or simply become more stubborn under pressure; they do not comply out of respect for dominance.

Realistic training expectations:

• Housebreaking: 4–8 months for full reliability. Bassets mature slowly and have a "what's the rush" attitude about going outside. Consistent schedule, enzymatic cleaner for accidents, and crate training are essential. Expect setbacks during cold/wet weather — many Bassets refuse to potty in rain.
• Recall: Never fully reliable off-leash in unsecured areas, regardless of training investment. Teach a strong emergency recall cue paired with an extraordinary reward (e.g., canned cheese), but always use a long-line or fenced area as your safety net.
• Leash manners: Moderate difficulty. Bassets pull toward scent sources with genuine determination. A front-clip harness (e.g., Ruffwear Front Range or similar) combined with direction-change rewards reduces pulling more effectively than corrective tools.
• Trick training: Surprisingly strong. Bassets enjoy learning nose-work puzzles, "find it" games, and target-training behaviors. Channel their scent abilities into structured activities.

Family Suitability: Kids, Pets, and Living Spaces

Children: Bassets are among the most child-tolerant breeds available. Their sturdy build means they're less fragile around toddlers than toy breeds, and their temperament absorbs clumsy handling without reactive biting. That said, always supervise interactions — no breed is a babysitter. Teach children not to pull the long ear feathers or ride the dog's back (spinal injury risk).

Other dogs: Excellent. Bassets were bred to hunt in packs and generally welcome canine housemates. Same-sex aggression is uncommon but not unheard of in intact males; spay/neuter reduces this risk. Introduce new dogs on neutral territory with leashed, parallel walks.

Cats and small animals: Variable. Bassets have a strong prey drive toward rabbits, squirrels, and rodents (their original quarry). Cats are usually tolerated if raised together, but a Basset may chase a cat that runs. Small pets — hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits — should never have unsupervised access to a Basset.

Apartment living: Feasible with caveats. Bassets don't need a yard — two daily leash walks suffice. The challenge is noise: the baying/howling can disturb neighbors in shared-wall housing. If you work long hours or the dog will be alone frequently, an apartment may not be ideal. Ground-floor units with direct outdoor access simplify potty routines. Elevators and staircases can be problematic — carrying a 55-lb dog up four flights daily is a real consideration, and repeated stair use stresses their spines.

Cost of Ownership: Purchase Price and Annual Budget

Long haired Basset Hounds are relatively uncommon because the trait is recessive and considered a fault in the show ring. This creates an unusual pricing dynamic: some breeders charge less (since the puppies can't be shown), while others market them as "rare" at a premium. Always ask whether health testing (OFA hips, OFA elbows, CERF/OFA eye exams, and ideally a DNA panel including the FGF5 long-hair locus) was performed on the parents — this matters far more than coat type.

Cost Breakdown — Long Haired Basset Hound (2026 Estimates, USD)

Expense Category	Low Range	Mid Range	High Range
Puppy Purchase (responsible breeder)	$1,200	$1,800	$3,000
Adoption/Rescue Fee	$200	$400	$600
First-Year Veterinary (vaccines, spay/neuter, baseline bloodwork)	$800	$1,400	$2,200
Annual Veterinary (adult, wellness only)	$500	$900	$1,500
Food (premium kibble or balanced fresh diet)	$480/year	$720/year	$1,200/year
Grooming Supplies and Products	$80/year	$150/year	$300/year
Pet Insurance (annual premium)	$480/year	$720/year	$1,100/year
Emergency Fund Recommendation	$3,000–$5,000 set aside for IVDD surgery or GDV emergency

First-year total cost (puppy from breeder, mid-range estimates): approximately $4,500–$6,500. Ongoing annual cost after the first year: approximately $2,500–$4,500 assuming no major health events. Pet insurance is strongly recommended for this breed given the IVDD and GDV risk — a $60/month premium can offset a $7,000 surgical emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian for health, nutrition, and treatment decisions specific to your dog. If you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic substance, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (24/7, consultation fee applies) or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661.