Basset Hound vs Dachshund – What Is The Best Breed For You
Both of these breeds have been able to not only survive but remain popular amongst humans for centuries. Both have been used for their elite hunting capabilities and both are now popular pets. So how do you decide which one is best for you?
As always, when deciding what breed you want to get, it is important to make sure you find out more about the breeds you are looking at to ensure you find the one that is best suited to your lifestyle and living arrangements.
Key Similarities
Basset Hounds and Dachshunds are often compared with each other because of their striking similarities. First of all, they have a similar build, both have bodies that have evolved especially for hunting beneath bushes and in the grass.
Although the Basset Hound is much bigger than the Dachshund, both have short legs, long bodies, large ears and long snouts.
Both are loyal and affectionate and both can adjust to apartment living as neither breed requires intense exercise. Although both are intelligent, they are also known to be stubborn and sometimes difficult to train.
Key Differences
So what is the difference between these dogs? Firstly, Basset Hounds are much bigger than Dachshunds. They also tend to drool and they shed all year round while the Dachshunds tend to be quite clean and never shed.
Although being the smaller of the two, Dachshunds have much more of a temper than Basset Hounds. Basset Hounds are known for being friendly towards everyone and being very calm at home while Dachshunds are lively and will choose one person to love and protect and will be jealous of other people and animals around that person.
Pros Over Each Other
So Basset Hounds are friendlier and calmer than Dachshunds, they get along better with groups of people and won’t mind lying around in the sun all day.
Dachshunds on the other hand can become close companions as they connect to a single person and tend to be very empathetic and expressive with their emotions, they also require much less cleaning up after as they don’t drool or shed like their French counterparts
Who Should Consider Owning Each One?
If you are looking for a goofy, relaxed family pet that will love and entertain you, your family and all your friends and you don’t mind a bit of cleaning, the Basset Hound is for you. They are perfect for families with other pets or small children.
If you live alone and would like a companion that will love and protect you with all its might, you can’t go wrong with a Dachshund. They will accept your family, but won’t be as welcoming to strangers. So if you want a lively, playful dog who can be your close companion, a Dachshund might be a great fit for you!
Basset Hound Cattle Dog
Originally bred to be a hunting dog, there are still some Basset Hounds working on farms to keep away intruders like rats and rabbits. Since then they have proven to be excellent family pets as well.
All About the Dachshund
Dachshunds are hounds, which means they are originally hunting dogs, but it turns out, they also make great companion dogs.
First Impressions & History
The Basset Hound is an old breed. They’ve been around for centuries and are believed to be a descendant of the St. Hubert Hound, which is also the ancestor of the modern-day Bloodhound.
Historians believe that they were probably kept, at first, as curiosities due to their unique appearance, but that they later came to be valued for their hunting abilities.
Size & Appearance
Basset Hounds don’t grow to be much larger than 14 inches tall and between 50 and 65 pounds in weight. Their coats are usually a tri-colour mix of white, tan and black but their most recognizable features are their large, droopy ears and long body.
Grooming & Shedding
They have smooth, short hair, evolved for suiting their hunting conditions. So they don’t need much grooming. They shed throughout the year but this is easy enough to manage with regular brushing. Their ears do need to be cleaned relatively often though, as they drag on the ground and are prone to infections.
Basset Hounds are known to drool quite a lot.
Lifespan
10-12 Years
Quick Facts
- They communicate with their owners using different sounds to indicate different things.
- The Basset Hound is famous for being the face of the Hush Puppy company
- In America, there are communities that organize events in honour of Basset Hounds, where Basset Hounds and their owners gather from all over to share in the festivities.
First Impressions & History
The Dachshund originates in Germany, back as early as the 16th century, where it was used to kill badgers (from where it got its name), foxes and even wild boars.
Though it has become smaller over the centuries, the Dachshunds we know today has kept the fearlessness and ferocity that were the trademarks of their ancestors.
Size & Appearance
Dachshunds are categorized according to the type of coats they have, so either smooth, wirehair or longhair. They usually grow to be around 8-9 inches tall, weighing 16 – 32 pounds and miniature variations stop growing at only 6 inches tall and must weigh less than 11 pounds to qualify as a miniature.
Dachshund coats and colours vary wildly according to lineage. While they come in one of the three variations mentioned above, they still differ in colours and markings across the board.
Grooming & Shedding
A smooth Dachshund has a short and shiny coat that doesn’t need much brushing. Wirehair and longhair Dachshunds have coats that need to be brushed more often to prevent matting, but none of these variations has a tendency for shedding.
Their folded ears need to be checked and cleaned often to prevent infections.
Lifespan
12-16 Years
Quick Facts
- The Dachshund is the only breed recognized by the AKC that hunts both above and below ground.
- They tend to bark quite a lot, especially minis.
- They can become quite possessive and even jealous if not socialized properly.
Basset Hounds In More Detail
Temperament & Behaviour
Basset Hounds are generally very calm and only really get excited while hunting. Being a pack animal, the Basset Hound does not enjoy being alone.
They get along well with people and other pets though (except of course if the other pet is small enough to be hunted).
Intelligence Levels & Affections Levels
Basset Hounds are highly intelligent and extremely affectionate. They are gentle with children and other pets but their intelligence can also make them stubborn.
Training & Obedience
Like all dogs, Basset Hounds need to be socialized and trained from an early age. Though Basset Hounds are intelligent enough to understand many commands, they tend to also be quite stubborn and require a patient and capable trainer.
Exercise Needs
Even though they are hunting dogs, Basset Dogs are very chilled when at home. They aren’t active much and would prefer to lie in a comfortable spot for the majority of the time. This, along with their love of food, results in many Basset Hounds becoming obese though, so it is important to make sure that your Basset Hound gets daily exercise, even if it’s just a walk outside, allowing it to explore some smells along the way.
Guard Dog Or Family Pet
Even though they are alert enough to be guard dogs, they aren’t really equipped for security purposes. They are great family pets though.
Gets On With Other Pets, Animals And Children?
Basset Hounds are pack animals and enjoy having company. They are gentle and affectionate with animals and children but it is important to remember that it is their nature to hunt small animals, so pets like rats or gerbils will be prey for them.
Who Should Consider Buiyng
If you have the patience to train your Basset Hound and are willing to continually clean its drool, then a Basset Hound can be a great addition to your family.
Alternatively, if you need someone to keep away small animals, you also won’t find a more capable hunting dog than a Basset Hound.
Conclusion
There is a reason Basset Hounds have been able to remain popular since the 16th century. They are great family dogs and wonderfully adept hunters. Mild-mannered and calm at home and unequivocally effective in the field.
They are loyal, adaptable and affectionate. Their only drawbacks are that they drool quite a lot and are known to be quite difficult to train.
If you are willing to be patient with them and clean up after them they will prove to be excellent pets.
Dachshunds In More Detail
Temperament & Behaviour
Dachshunds are lively and loyal. They are brave and confident and tend to pick one person whom they will love and protect. They will accept your family but will be wary of outsiders. At home though, they are playful and fun-loving.
Intelligence levels & Affections Level
They are extremely intelligent and very affectionate with their loved ones. Their intelligence means that they sometimes come across as naughty or rash, but really they are just playful, creative and very brave.
Training & Obedience
Their intelligence causes them to be headstrong, making training them an endeavour that requires immense patience. That said, they are intelligent and they want to please you. So, with enough time and energy invested, they can be very obedient.
Exercise Needs
They are surprisingly energetic and athletic. They absolutely love playing around, digging or hunting, but they only need a moderate amount of exercise each day and a walk around the block or a game of fetch will suffice.
Guard Dog or Family Pet
They are quite alert but they might be too vocal to make good watchdogs. They are probably best suited as a companion or family pets.
Gets On With Other Pets, Animals And Children?
They tend to do alright with other pets as long as you don’t give them too much attention. They will try to hunt smaller animals and they will love and accept your children, but might not be as welcoming to their friends.
Who Should Consider Buying
Anyone looking for a fun, intelligent and loyal companion will find a friend in a Dachshund. They are great company to keep and adaptable enough to live in apartments.
As an added bonus they will also keep your property clear of any small creatures that might be feasting on your vegetable garden.
Conclusion
The Dachshunds have been more popular as pets than as hunting dogs since the 1800s. Royals throughout Europe, famously including Queen Victoria, kept them as their preferred pets.
In the 1950s, they shot to popularity in America too and have remained one of the most popular breeds across the globe since. This is no accident. They are wonderful pets. Their expressive faces and undying love make owners feel that they can form a truly special bond with their Dachshunds.
