Basset Hound vs Beagle

A Basset Hound
Photo: Clara S.
A Beagle
Photo: Jonatan De Geest

Side by side

Basset Hound
Beagle
Adult weight
18–29 kg (40–65 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 17.3–22.4 kg (38–49 lb); females 14.5–19 kg (32–42 lb) (measured in UK vet records, n = 19,906, middle 50%)2
Height
Males 33–38 cm; females 33–38 cm3
No sourced figure
Lifespan
Median 12.5 years4
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes5
10 months, both sexes5
Group
Scent hounds3
Scent hounds6
Coat
Short coat3
Short coat6
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
Plenty
A moderate amount
Health
Dry eye (far more likely); Skin fold inflammation (far more likely)7,8
Dry eye (much more likely); Blood-vessel cancer (more likely)7,9
Class
Companion
Family

Which suits you

Size
The Basset Hound is larger on average: about 24 kg (52 lb) as an adult, against 18 kg (40 lb) for the Beagle.
Exercise
Plan for plenty of exercise with the Basset Hound, and a moderate amount with the Beagle.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Basset Hound: a lap or leaning dog; Beagle: affectionate on its own terms) and on intelligence (Basset Hound: easy-going, simple routines; Beagle: learns readily, likes games).
Alike
Both are rated the same on independence: decides for itself.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Basset Hound
Scent hounds · Medium

Bred to hunt in packs, the Basset is sociable with people and other dogs and placid at home, though single-minded once it picks up a scent. It has a deep, carrying bay.

Beagle
Scent hounds · Medium

Bred to work in packs, the Beagle is sociable with people and other dogs, cheerful and inquisitive.

The Basset Hound page →The Beagle page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Basset Hound
Beagle
Activity
Differs
Happy with modest walks
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Differs
Easy-going, simple routines
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs steady training
Needs steady training
With people
Basset Hound
Beagle
Affection
Differs
A lap or leaning dog
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Friendly with everyone
Friendly with everyone
Independence
Decides for itself
Decides for itself
Around the home
Basset Hound
Beagle
Sensitivity
Average
Average
Voice
Very vocal
Very vocal
Prey drive
Differs
Chases; needs managing
Likely to chase small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour10. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home11,12.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Basset Hound grows to the heavier adult, about 24 kg against the Beagle's 18 kg.
Basset Hound
Beagle
01020302m4m6m9m12m18m
01020302m3m4m6m9m12m18m

More comparisons

Compare the Basset Hound with
Beagle vs Jack Russell TerrierBasset Hound vs BloodhoundBasset Hound vs Petit Basset Griffon VendeenAmerican Foxhound vs BeagleBeagle vs English FoxhoundBeagle vs English Cocker SpanielAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·