Basset Hound Registration — Register Your Basset Hound or Any Basset Hound Mix with DKC

General Appearance

The Basset Hound is a short-legged, heavy-boned dog with a long body and a powerful sense of smell—second only to the Bloodhound. Despite its low stature, the breed is robust, with a strong, muscular build and a dignified, comical charm. Balance and sound movement are essential.

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Size

• Height: Up to 15 inches at the shoulder

• Weight: 40–65 pounds

• Proportions: Long-bodied but not exaggerated; length of body should be approximately twice the height at the withers.

Head

• Skull: Large and well-domed, with a pronounced occiput.

• Muzzle: Deep and full with loose, wrinkled skin.

• Stop: Moderate.

• Eyes: Soft, sad expression; brown or hazel depending on coat color.

• Ears: Extremely long, low-set, velvety, and curled inward—extending well beyond the end of the nose when pulled forward.

• Nose: Large and dark, with open nostrils.

• Lips: Pendulous and loose, especially around the flews.

Body

• Neck: Muscular, of good length with pronounced dewlap.

• Back: Level and firm, with a slight arch over the loin.

• Chest: Deep, extending well down between the forelegs.

• Ribs: Well-sprung but not barrel-shaped.

• Tail: Long, strong at the base, tapering, and carried high with a slight curve—often with a white tip.

Legs & Feet

• Forelegs: Short, powerful, and slightly bowed; elbows close to the body.

• Hindquarters: Muscular and slightly angulated; hocks well let down.

• Feet: Massive and well-rounded with thick pads; toes compact and knuckled over slightly.

Coat

• Type: Smooth, short, and hard; weather-resistant.

• Texture: Dense, with some looseness of skin around the body, especially around the neck and head.

• Color: All recognized hound colors are acceptable—commonly tri-color (black, white, and tan), red and white, or lemon and white.

Gait / Movement

The Basset moves with a smooth, deliberate, and powerful stride. The front legs should reach forward freely, and the hindquarters drive strongly. When viewed from the front or rear, legs move in a straight line with no deviation.

Temperament

The Basset Hound is calm, affectionate, and friendly. It is especially good with children and other pets. Though often stubborn and independent due to its hound nature, the breed is loyal and enjoys companionship.

• Disposition: Gentle, devoted, and easygoing

• Trainability: Requires patience and positive reinforcement

• Vocalization: May bay or bark when excited or on the trail

Faults

• Excessively coarse or overly refined build

• Flat feet or weak pasterns

• Excessively long body out of proportion with height

• Shyness or excessive aggression

• Straight shoulders or lack of rear angulation

Disqualifications

• Height over 15 inches at the withers

• Blue eyes

• Excessively wrinkled face obscuring the eyes

• Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism in males (undescended testicles)

Ideal Owner

The Basset Hound fits well with families, seniors, and anyone seeking a low-maintenance, low-energy companion. While they enjoy lounging, they also need daily walks to keep fit and mentally stimulated. Their stubborn streak makes training a fun challenge, but their loving personality makes them unforgettable companions.

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The Basset Hound is one of the oldest and most recognizable scent hound breeds in the world, with origins tracing to 16th century France where Friars of the Abbey of St. Hubert bred slow, low-slung dogs capable of tracking game through dense cover at a pace that hunters on foot could follow. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 — making the Basset Hound one of the very first breeds in AKC history, registered just one year after the AKC's own founding. Today, the Basset Hound is also a popular parent breed for designer crosses — Dogster (July 2026) documents 18 confirmed Basset Hound mixed breeds including crosses with Poodles, Huskies, Shar-Peis, Pugs, and Chow Chows. Designer Kennel Club registers both purebred Basset Hounds and every Basset Hound mix.

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The most popular Basset Hound designer crosses include the Bassetoodle (also known as the Bassetpoo, Bastoodle, and Bassetdoodle — Basset Hound × Poodle, confirmed by 101dogbreeds (February 2026) as gaining popularity for its gentle, friendly disposition), the Bassky (Basset Hound × Siberian Husky), the Ba-Shar (Basset Hound × Shar-Pei), the Bassugg (Basset Hound × Pug), the Chow Hound (Basset Hound × Chow Chow), and the Basset Heeler (Basset Hound × Blue Heeler). The AKC registers purebred Basset Hounds — but AKC cannot and does not register any Basset Hound mix regardless of generation. Designer Kennel Club was built for exactly this gap.

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Designer Kennel Club provides official registration papers for purebred Basset Hounds, Bassetoodles, Bassetpoos, Bastoodles, Bassetdoodles, Basskies, Ba-Shars, Bassuggs, Chow Hounds, Basset Heelers, and all other Basset Hound crosses with no AKC papers or pedigree lineage required. DKC Foundation Dog Registration ($65) accepts any Basset Hound or Basset Hound mix without existing documentation. For breeders, DKC Litter Registration ($100) gives each puppy an individual DKC registration number that new owners can use to register for $45. Papers are delivered as a PDF via email within 2–3 business days.

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Whether you are registering a purebred Basset Hound or a first-generation Basset Hound cross you bred yourself, Designer Kennel Club provides official breed and ownership documentation accepted for veterinary records, grooming services, training programs, housing requirements, and general ownership verification. Register at designerkennelclub.com/registration.