Breed comparison
Basset Hound vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
3Affection with family5
5Good with young children5
5Good with other dogs5
3Openness to strangers4
3Playfulness3
2Energy level3
3Trainability4
3Mental stimulation needs3
3Adaptability3
3Watchdog / protective3
4Barking3
2Shedding2
3Coat grooming2
4Drooling2
The biggest differences
- Affection with family: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel scores 5 out of 5, the Basset Hound 3.
- Drooling: the Basset Hound scores 4 out of 5, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 2.
They score the same on good with young children, good with other dogs, playfulness, mental stimulation needs, adaptability, watchdog / protective.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Basset Hound if you prefer a calmer dog. Pick the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel if you want an energetic exercise partner, you want a dog that is easier to train, you want a quieter dog.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.