Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Smooth coat, short.
A Basset Hound suits
- A family with young children (rated 5 of 5 with kids)
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 2 of 5)
Think twice if
- You share walls with neighbors: barking is 4 of 5
- Drool bothers you: drooling is 4 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 2 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean short daily walks and some play are usually enough. With barking at 4 of 5 and a watchdog score of 3, expect a vocal dog that announces visitors. Grooming at 3 of 5 means weekly brushing.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 36.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Compare: Basset Hound vs Black and Tan Coonhound · Basset Hound vs Redbone Coonhound · Basset Hound vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Frequently asked questions
Are Basset Hounds good with kids?
The AKC rates the Basset Hound 5 out of 5 for being good with young children. That is the top score.
Do Basset Hounds shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 2 out of 5 (low), and coat grooming 3 out of 5.
Are Basset Hounds easy to train?
Trainability is rated 3 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Basset Hound have?
Energy is rated 2 out of 5 and playfulness 3 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Basset Hound page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.