Both the Basset Hound and the Beagle are historically known for being tracking dogs, used by hunters to sniff out animals and alert when they are in pursuit. Although they are still great for hunting, they are both now commonly known for being loving house pets. This makes it choosing between the two extremely difficult, Basset Hound Vs. Beagle.
Both dogs are known for their array of black, white, and brown colors, petite stature, floppy ears, and friendly demeanor. They can both be a little mouthy and will bark when looking for attention.
Although they do share a lot of similarities, they also differ quite a bit. In comparison, beagles tend to be hyper, fast, and nosey. The Basset Hound is a little lazier, calm, and relaxed. Another big difference lies within the Basset Hounds’ short little legs that keep their bellies close to the ground. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between these two dog breeds.
Table of Contents
Is A Basset Hound Or Beagle Easier To Train?
Anyone who has experience with training dogs knows that it is no easy task. It takes a lot of patients and persistence. However, it is true that some dogs are a little easier to instruct than others and may have an easier time picking up on commands. When it comes to Basset Hounds and Beagles, here is what you will need to know to get them trained.
Training A Basset Hound
Basset Hounds are sweet-tempered, gentle, and friendly. They are an excellent choice for families who are looking for low-energy dogs or a great hunting companion that won’t get distracted easily.
Unfortunately, because of their breed’s background, they can typically be difficult to train.
The Basset Hound was bred to be a hunting dog that could track any animal scent low to the ground. They were designed to do this on their own, which makes them very independent and stubborn creatures.
Although this breed is highly intelligent, they prefer to focus on one task at a time. Because of this, you have to train them in a way that will be exciting and easy; baby steps are key. You cannot over-train a Basset Hound because they will lose interest very quickly. Keeping the sessions short and focusing on one task is the best way to get your dog to listen.
Training A Beagle
Beagles are friendly, loving, even-tempered dogs that were bred to be scent dogs that could flush out the small game for hunters. These dogs are high-energy and need a lot of attention and exercise.
Because of the high energy these dogs inherently possess, it can be a little tricky keeping them still long enough to teach them anything.
Beagles are very much like human toddlers; they want to play, have fun, and run. To train a beagle, it is extremely important that you get their energy out before any training lesson. If you don’t, there is little chance you will keep their attention or ability to comply.
Beagles are very vocal dogs and can get very mouthy when being forced to do something they are not interested in. Making training fun while also keeping the training space distraction-free will give you the best chances of training a beagle.
The Winner is: The Basset Hound
Although Basset Hounds can be stubborn and very independent, keeping their attention focused on each training task is a little easier than trying to keep a hyper Beagle at bay.
Want To Train Your Dog With Peace Of Mind?
If you haven’t trained your dog properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
With Brain Training For Dogs, you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases, it’s still going to be:
Cheaper than hiring a professional.
Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your dog completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
Are Basset Hounds Or Beagles Easier To Groom?
Keeping up with your dog’s physical cleanliness is just as important as training them and feeding them daily. You always want to make sure your pet is clean, healthy, and well-groomed. This includes their fur, nails, ears, etc.
Both Basset Hounds and Beagles have short sleek coats and other similar physical features, but that doesn’t mean grooming them will be the same.
Grooming a Basset Hound
When it comes to the actual act of grooming your Basset Hound, their easy-going temper makes for a quick and fight-free bath most of the time. Chances are more likely than not, your floppy-eared friend will sit still for you while you lather, rinse, and repeat.
Unfortunately, because of their short stature and long floppy ears, and saggy face skin, upkeep on your Basset Hound may be a little more detailed than other dog breeds.
Because of their short, water-resistant fur, washing and brushing their coats is a pretty simple task. However, you also need to clean any dirt build-up from under their eye folds, making sure their ears are free of dirt and trapped moisture, and keeping an eye on any belly scrapes or cuts from dragging close to the ground.
Grooming a Beagle
Because of their high-energy and uncontrolled nature, keeping your Beagle sitting still in the tub may take a bit of convincing, but once they are in the tub, bathing them can be pretty simple.
Just like the Basset Hounds, Beagles have short water-resistant coats meaning there is no need for trimming or excessive brushing. Just washing them off a few times a year or whenever they get excessively dirty is all the bathing they need.
Aside from keeping their coats clean, your Beagle will also need their floppy ears tended to at least once a week, just to make sure no infections start to take form, and their nails clipped whenever they seem too long. Beagles are very low maintenance and don’t take much to keep groomed.
The Winner is: The Beagle
Although you are sure to get wet while bathing a beagle, there are fewer extras to be done compared to the Basset Hound.
Who Has Better Health?
Most dog breeds have their own sets of health concerns and conditions they are more prone to than others. When it comes to Beagles and Basset Hounds, they both have their fair share of complications to watch out for.
Basset Hounds Health
Basset Hounds are overall a fairly healthy breed of dog, with a life expectancy rate between 10-12 years old.
Because of their genetic makeup, Basset Hounds do have a few health concerns that you can not prevent but can watch for and try to treat early.
Dental Problems– Bassett Hounds have a higher chance of dental diseases than other breeds. This can lead to gum infection, tooth loss, and kidney disease.
Obesity– Obesity is another big problem for this breed; this health issue can lead to back pain and problems with their knees.
Ear and Skin Infections- Because of their saggy skin and long ears, Basset Hounds are prone to infections.
Bloat– Basset hounds have a higher chance of developing bloat than other breeds because of their narrow chests.
Although not all Basset Hounds will develop these issues, they are all things you want to keep an eye out for.
Beagles Health
Beagles are known for being a very healthy breed of dog, with a life expectancy of 10-15 years.
Although you shouldn’t expect to spend too much time at the vet, there are some health concerns that commonly pop up.
Obesity-Beagles are well known for over-eating causing them to gain a lot of weight which can be damaging to their tendons and joints.
Cherry Eye– THis breed is also known for the gland located in their eyelids to become swollen and inflamed easily, causing irritation and redness.
Epilepsy- Epilepsy is a chronic seizure disorder in dogs and is an unfortunate predisposition in Beagles.
Allergies– Beagles are well known for being sensitive to allergens and require medications to help fight the irritation they cause.
Beagles may end up with a few different health issues here and there, but the more common ones are easy to treat and not extremely serious.
The Winner is: The Beagle
Although both of these dogs have a chance of developing a few different genetic health complications, the Beagles list seems a little bit easier to treat.
Which Dog Is Better With Children?
For anyone with children running around the home, it is important that any dog residing there is well-tempered and gentle. Luckily, both the Basset Hound and the Beagle are great family pets that will be wonderful companions for kids.
How Are Basset Hounds With Children?
Basset hounds are friendly dogs with great manners and a lot of love. These pups welcome hugs and cuddles and are not known for any type of aggression or issues with biting.
Because the Basset Hound was bred to be a pack dog, this breed loves having their family around them and welcomes any type of attention.
Although Basset Hounds are well known for being lazy around the house, they can make fun playmates in the backyard, playing with a ball, or taking long walks.
How Are Beagles With Children?
Because beagles were also bred as pack dogs, they too love the company of their family and having their owners around. They do not like being alone for any lengthy period of time and enjoy having someone always around to pay them attention.
These dogs are amazing family pets and are not at all known for aggression; they are very hyper pups and need a lot of playtimes to keep them from bouncing off the walls, which can make them fun to play with outdoors.
The Winner is: The Basset Hound
Both of these breeds would make terrific family pets, and both do great with children. However, because of the Beagle’s high energy level, we felt the Basset Hound might be a better choice for little kids.
Which Dog Is Better With Cats?
Most people tend to believe that dogs and cats are mortal enemies from birth, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Although there is a high chance of both breeds chasing down a strange cat creeping into their yard, they are also just as likely to snuggle up with a feline friend that lives in the same home.
Are Basset Hounds God With Cats?
Basset Hounds are laid-back gentle creatures, and although they were bred to hunt down small creatures, they are actually very mellow with family cats.
Possibly due to their short body type, Basset Hounds are not interested in starting up fights or chasing down the cats in the home.
Basset Hounds are great dogs to have placed in a home with cats.
Are Beagles Good With Cats?
Because these dogs are pack dogs, there is a good chance a Beagle will see cats as just another member of the pack and can co-inside nicely. However, it’s important to remember that Beagles are also instinctively tracking dogs who were designed to chase. This behavior may cause a little bit of turmoil without some proper training.
The Winner is: The Basset Hound
Both dog breeds are more than capable of living in peace with a family cat, but it may be a little easier having a Basset Hound stay calm around a cat.
Which Dog Is Better With Other Dogs?
As mentioned several times, both Breeds are pack dogs who love the company of others. This makes them both great candidates for living with other dogs. But is one of these more social than the other?
Are Basset Hounds Good With Other Dogs?
Basset Hounds are social creatures and can get along with just about anyone; this includes people, cats, and other dogs.
Because the breed is so laid back, they are welcoming to all and are not necessarily interested in too much roughhousing or fights. This makes them a good fit for many social situations that involve new dogs that are also friendly.
Are Beagles Good With Other Dogs?
Beagles are loving dogs who enjoy the company and socializing with other pets. They are playful and welcoming to most other dogs as long as they do not feel threatened.
Beagles are happy to have other dogs around and would be more than willing to turn any dog into their new playmate.
The Winner is: The Beagle
Picking a winner in this category was hard because both dogs make friends easily. However, the higher energy in Beagles makes them a tiny bit more fun for other playful pups.
Which Dog Is More Expensive?
Adopting a dog can get pretty expensive, depending on the breed you choose. This cost will only increase as you start to factor in healthcare, food, toys, etc. So, which dog is more expensive, the Basset Hound or the Beagle?
How Much Do Basset Hounds Cost?
A Basset Hound can cost anywhere between $800-$1500, paying the higher end for purebred pups. However, the cost doesn’t stop there. This breed will also start adding on the expenses when it comes to maintenance, including vet bills, food, and training.
Sources estimate that Basset Hounds can cost on average $1500 a year.
How Much Do Beagles Cost?
To purchase A beagle puppy, you are looking at spending between $400-$1000, again paying higher for purebreds with show qualities. These dogs are, on average, likely going to cost around $1200.00 per year for general expenses.
It is important to mention these are estimated costs based on basic food, training, and grooming. The total amount can increase or decrease depending on personal preferences and possible health problems that may come up.
Basset Hound vs. Beagle Similarities and Differences
The Basset Hound and Beagle obvious have a lot of differences in personalities and behaviors; however, there is a lot of things they have in common too.
Physical Features
As mentioned, both have very similar fur coats and colors. However, the Basset hound is also known for having some reddish tones as well.
You will also notice that even though they are both on the smaller side of dog breeds, the Basset Hound has tiny little legs and tends to be a bit heavy or stumpy looking, whereas the Beagle has longer legs if healthy has a more slender build.
Tempers
Both dogs are super friendly and chill dogs who love to socialize and hate being alone. However, whereas the Basset Hound is cool with hanging out with the family and being aloof, the Beagle needs a lot of exercise and attention, or chewing and destruction may be an end result.
It is important to note that although Basset Hounds have a reputation for always being calm and quiet, they also have their fair share of energy to spread around. Both of these dogs can be considered “escape artists” and are known for wanting to leave the yard if something catches their eye.
Which is The Better Dog?
Now that we have gotten into all of the important details surrounding Basset Hounds and Beagles, we can finally make a decision as to which one is the better dog. And the winner is…Well, both. It is almost impossible to choose which one of these breeds is best.
Both dogs are great family pets with amazing temperaments and socialization skills. No matter which dog you choose, you are sure to have the perfect pet without ever regretting your decision.
