Medium
Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is a short-legged scent hound of French origin, bred for tracking game through dense cover using their extraordinary nose and deliberate, methodical tracking style. Their short, dense, oily hound coat repels dirt but has a characteristic hound odor, while their enormously long ears — the longest of any breed relative to body size — are the primary grooming challenge and require weekly cleaning to prevent the chronic ear infections the breed is notorious for. Regular wrinkle and ear care are non-negotiable for Basset owners.
Coat Type
Short, Dense, Oily, Hard, Single Coat
Groom Every
Every 4-6 weeks
Styles Available
3 cuts
Cuts & Styles
Grooming Styles
1
Standard Hound Bath
A deodorizing full bath with hound or odor-control shampoo, blow-dry, rubber mitt finish, nail trim, and ear clean. The essential baseline groom for a breed known for its distinctive hound odor.
2
Ear Care Treatment
A dedicated ear cleaning session using a veterinarian-approved ear cleaner, cotton balls, and careful drying of the ear canal and inner ear leather; the most critical regular maintenance for Basset Hounds.
3
De-Wrinkle Clean
A targeted cleaning of the facial wrinkles and lip folds using grooming wipes, followed by drying and inspection for redness or odor that could indicate skin fold infection.
Expert Advice
Care Tips
- Clean a Basset Hound's ears every single week without exception — the combination of long, heavy ear flaps that seal the ear canal and the breed's love of nose-to-ground tracking creates the perfect conditions for chronic, recurring ear infections that can become permanent hearing damage if neglected.
- The Basset's long ears drag through food and water bowls; use a spaniel-style elevated bowl or a snood during meals to keep the ears clean and dry — a wet ear that's already borderline infected will worsen rapidly.
- Basset Hounds have a natural hound odor from the oily sebaceous secretions in their skin — this is breed-typical and not a hygiene problem, but deodorizing shampoos and monthly bathing help keep the smell manageable in a household setting.
- The facial skin folds and lip wrinkles on Basset Hounds collect food debris and saliva; wipe the face and lip folds after every meal and check for redness, odor, or swelling that signals early skin fold dermatitis.
- Basset paws are large and heavily padded with inter-digital hair that picks up burrs and debris during tracking outings; check and trim between the pads regularly and dry the paws thoroughly after wet-ground outings.
Recommended Tools
What you'll need
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
BrushThe gold standard for poodles and doodles. Features long pins that penetrate deep into dense coats to remove tangles and fluff the hair.
$60 - $75
Miller's Forge Quality Nail Clipper
Nail CareUsed by professional groomers worldwide. Made of high-quality Italian stainless steel with a heavy-duty spring for clean, sharp cuts.
$10 - $15
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
BrushAn excellent entry-level brush that's easy to clean. Great for removing loose fur and detangling shorter coats.
$15 - $25
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Deep Dives
Basset Hound Grooming Guides
Summer Grooming
Heat management, coat care, and seasonal tips.
Read guide
Winter Coat Care
Cold-weather protection and moisture balance.
Read guide
Shedding Season
Survive the seasonal blowout without losing your mind.
Read guide
Prevent Matting
Detangle, prevent, and protect their coat year-round.
Read guide
Best Brushes
The right tools for this specific coat type.
Read guide
Nail Trimming
Safe nail care frequency and technique.
Read guide
Ear Cleaning
Prevent infections with proper ear care.
Read guide
Bathing Guide
How often to bathe and which products to use.
Read guide
Grooming Cost
What professional grooming should cost for this breed.
Read guide
Hypoallergenic
Shedding, dander, and allergy-friendly coat care.
Read guide
First-Time Owner
Grooming basics for new owners of this breed.
Read guide
Skin & Allergies
Itchy skin, hot spots, and coat-sensitive care.
Read guide
Dental Care
Oral hygiene tied to coat and skin health.
Read guide
Flea & Tick
Parasite prevention without damaging the coat.
Read guide
Pro vs DIY
When to groom at home and when to hire a pro.
Read guide
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