Beagle Vs Basset Hound: Can You Easily Compare Them?

Choosing the right pet for your home can be a difficult task if you are a first-time dog owner. If you’ve been thinking about getting a Beagle vs Basset Hound, this article is for you.

Beagles and Basset Hounds may seem similar at first glance. But they are different dog breeds. Even though they are both scent dogs with similar color schemes, they differ in their appearance and temperament. But there are other more specific differences you should know about.

• The Origin Of The Beagle And The Basset Hound
• Differences In Their Appearance
• Temperament Of The Beagle vs Basset Hound
• Taking Care Of The Beagle And The Basset Hound
• Price Difference Between Beagle And Basset Hound

The Origin Of The Beagle And The Basset Hound

It is known that both of these dog breeds have their history starting with being hunting dogs. But that’s the only similarity they have.

The Beagle history is not completely known. The origins of the breed go way back to 55 B.C. ancient Rome. The origin of the name is also disputed as it might have its roots in the Gaelic or French language. The modern Beagle originates from 19 century England where it was popular with the royals. It was brought to America later that century where it was exclusively used for hunting. The AKC officially recognized the Beagle in 1885.

The Basset Hound also has its origins in ancient times as it is believed to come from the St. Hubert Hound. The modern history of this dog breed begins in France. The word “Bassett” means low in French and comes from the short stature of this dog. The dog was first used by French royalty, and then by French hunters because of its impeccable sense of smell. This breed was officially recognized by the AKC in 1885.

Differences In Their Appearance

The difference between the Basset Hound vs Beagle will be most notable in their appearance. Even though they have similar coats and heights, these dogs look different from each other. 

The Beagle has longer legs and a small body length. It has long, floppy ears, but not as long as the Basset Hound. It also has adorable large hazel eyes.

The Basset Hound has short legs and a long body. It also has recognizably large paws. It has a long snout and droopy mournful eyes that give it a sad expression.

Size

The Beagle has a height of 13-15 inches or less than 13 inches, depending on the type of Beagle. The weight of the Beagle is the same with 20-30 pounds for the larger, and under 20 pounds for the smaller variant. It also has around 20-25 inches of body length. 

The Basset Hound has a height of up to 15 inches and a weight of 40-65 pounds. It also has around 26-35 inches of body length.

Coat And Color

Basset Hounds and Beagles are both tri-colored dog breeds with short and smooth coats. The colors they come in can vary. It can be a mix of brown, black, and white colors, but colors like mahogany, red, lemon, and tan can also occur.

Temperament Of The Beagle vs Basset Hound

Both of these breeds were bred as hunters so they have a famously good scent that they love to follow. Even though this makes them fun to explore with, they are also able to escape from your sight, so you should be cautious.

Both dogs are very friendly and affectionate with their families. As a result of this if they are left alone they can suffer from separation anxiety. Both are also very good with kids and other people that you meet. They do have a strong prey drive so they tend to chase anything smaller than them. Because of that, you need to supervise them when they are with children.

Beagles tend to bark a lot, but so do Basset Hounds. They also like to howl when they hear something loud. Beagles are known to be more active compared to Basset Hounds who are known to be lazy and calm. But due to their hunting genes, both require a lot of exercise during the day. They are also clumsy and sometimes act as class clowns. 

Both dogs are very intelligent but also stubborn and independent at times. This means that even though they will easily learn commands, you will need a lot of persistence.

Taking Care Of The Beagle And The Basset Hound

No matter which dog you decide to get, you should know that all dogs require enough care and attention to stay healthy and happy.

Health And Lifespan

When it comes to life expectancy, it is noticed that Beagles can live longer than Basset Hounds. Beagles have a lifespan of 10-15 years, while Basset Hounds have a lifespan of 12-13 years. Regardless, both are generally healthy dogs, but they do suffer from a few health issues.

• Hip Dysplasia – Beagles are known to develop this joint disease more than Basset Hounds. It happens because the hip joints develop improperly and the ball and socket joint doesn’t align. You will notice your dog limping and having difficulty walking because of pain in the joints.
• Musladin-Lueke Syndrome – This is a specific disease to Beagles and is also known as Chinese Beagle Syndrome. It is a genetic condition that affects the development and structure of connective tissue of multiple organ systems. Small size, thick and taut skin, and a “tip-toe” gait are only some of the many symptoms.
• Thrombopathia – There is a thrombopathia that is specific in Basset Hounds. It is a genetic disease of the blood that causes abnormal platelet function. Recurrent nose bleeds and gingival bleeds are common signs. There is also a higher life-threatening risk of spontaneous internal bleeding.
• Mucopolysaccharidosis-1 (MPS1) – This is a rare genetic disorder that has been found in Basset Hounds. Affected dogs will show symptoms early in their life. The first noticeable symptoms start in the bones with skeletal deformities and delayed growth. Then the disease will progress and cause early death.
• Eye Problems – Progressive Retinal Atrophy is an eye disease noticed in the Beagle. It causes night vision problems, poor eyesight, and blindness. Glaucoma is an eye disease noticed in Basset Hounds. It may cause eye pain, watery discharge from the eye, cloudy cornea, and blindness.

Nutrition

No matter if Beagle or Basset Hound, both dogs need to eat enough quality food every day to stay healthy. On average Beagles may eat a little less than Basset Hounds due to their slightly smaller size. Beagles should eat around 1 cup of dog food a day, while Basset Hounds should eat around 1.5 cups.

Of course, their food should be of high quality and nutritious. Dog food that is low in carbs and high in protein is always recommended. It should also be rich in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fatty acids.

A good option is to look for the more popular dog food companies and choose the right one for your dog. Some people also decide to give a raw food diet to their dogs which has some benefits and drawbacks.

Exercise And Training

The Beagle is a high-energy dog and needs at least 60 minutes of exercise every day. The Basset Hound is less energetic and needs around 30-60 minutes of exercise every day. You should split the exercise into two or more sessions. Because they are scent dogs, both dogs should be kept on a leash at all times during a walk because they tend to follow some scents and run away.

When it comes to training the Basset vs Beagle, these are very intelligent dogs, but they are also independent and stubborn. This means that even though they will learn the commands quickly, it will take a lot of time and effort. The good thing is that both dogs respond really well to positive reinforcement training. In fact, they are known to work in police forces as scent dogs. That said, early training and socialization are needed to get the best results.

Grooming

Because they are hound dogs, Beagles have a distinct hound smell, but so do Basset Hounds. Even though they have short coats, both breeds tend to shed throughout the year. Because of this, they need weekly brushing of their coat to reduce shedding. They also require bathing once a month. 

Both dogs have long and floppy ears that create a perfect environment to create ear infections. Make sure to check for signs of infection regularly. Also, you should clean their ears once every 2-3 weeks and always after baths. 

Brushing the teeth is important for both dogs and should be done once a day to two-three times a week. Basset Hounds are also known for drooling so cleaning them up will keep your home clean. You should also trim the dog’s nails once they grow big enough.

Price Difference Between Beagle And Basset Hound

The average price for both dogs will go around $1000 for a puppy. But this price will vary on a few things. The lineage of the puppy is very important when discussing the price. If the puppy’s parents are dogs that have won dog competitions, you should expect their offspring to be more expensive. 

Make sure to always get your puppy from a dog breeder on whom you have done a thorough background check. Your breeder should give you all the information you need on your puppy. This includes medical records of the puppy and its parents, and you may also want to see its parents. Never buy your puppies from puppy mills as they are inhumane.

A much cheaper option to get yourself a Beagle or a Basset Hound is to visit a local shelter or rescue. Those dogs need a home and you will do a humane thing by providing it for them. The price to get these dogs is also much cheaper.

Beagle vs Basset Hound – Which Is The Dog For You?

The Beagle and the Basset Hound are both hunting breeds that have their roots in ancient times. When it comes to their appearance, the dogs may look a bit similar due to their colors, but they are quite different. The Basset Hound is slightly larger, has a longer body, and has much longer droopy ears compared to the Beagle.

When we look at their personalities, we can also notice some changes. The Beagle is notably more energetic than the Basset Hound who likes to be lazier. But both dogs require the same amount of exercise to keep up with their hunting needs. Both dogs are also loud barkers and very fond of scents.

To keep these dogs healthy and happy, you need to give them high-quality dog food, exercise, training, and proper grooming. 

FAQ

Is a Basset Hound related to a Beagle?

The Basset Hound and the Beagle have a common root in their history. Both of these dog breeds are descendants of the St. Hubert Hound. Because of that, they might have a similar look to each other. 

What breeds are similar to Beagles?

Besides the similarities between the Beagle vs Basset Hound, there are a few other dog breeds. The Harrier, American Foxhound, and English Foxhound. You might notice that all of these dog breeds are hound dogs, which makes them similar.

Do Beagles get along with Basset Hounds?

Yes, Beagles and Basset Hounds tend to get along very well together. This is because as hound dogs, they are both pack animals that tolerate other dogs well. Both are also very affectionate and friendly breeds.