How Much Does a Basset Hound Cost?

With their sweet, soulful droopy-eyed expressions, short and stout stature, and notoriously loyal and easygoing personalities, it's easy to understand why Basset Hounds have become such beloved and popular companion pets for so many families and individuals over the years.

However, before deciding to bring one of these kind, gentle, and irresistibly charming long-eared dogs into your life and home, it is vitally important to thoroughly understand the wide range of expenses and costs involved with properly caring for a Basset Hound over its lifetime.

From the initial price tag to purchase a Basset Hound puppy or adopt an adult Basset rescue dog to the plethora of ongoing costs for medical bills, grooming, training, insurance, quality food and supplies, boarding fees, and miscellaneous expenses, pet ownership expenses add up substantially over the years.

But the lifelong joy and loyal companionship that this moderately-sized hound dog breed provides truly makes every penny worthwhile when you plan your budget carefully and provide your beloved Basset Hound with everything needed to live their healthiest, happiest life full of fun adventures, tasty treats, and of course plenty of cozy naps on comfy dog beds.

Highlights

• Purchase price from a reputable breeder: $1,200 - $2,500+ (≈4.2 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage)
• Adoption fee through rescue organizations: $200 - $400 (≈3.3 days of your career at $15/hour)
• First-year costs for medical, supplies: $1,000+ (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour)
• Annual costs for food, and routine vet care: $1,000+ (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour)
• Emergency vet visit expenses: $500 - $5,000+ (≈1.9 months of your working life at $15/hour) per incident
• Pet insurance premiums: $300 - $700+ (≈1.2 weeks of salary time at $15/hour) per year

How Much Does a Basset Hound Cost?

The upfront costs involved when you are preparing to welcome your new Basset Hound into your life and family include:

Puppy Purchase Price from a Reputable Breeder - For a purebred Basset Hound puppy purchased from a responsible, high-quality breeder, expect to budget anywhere from around $1,200 (≈2 weeks dedicated to affording this at $15/hour) on the low end to as much as $2,500 (≈4.2 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage) on the upper end of the spectrum. Puppies meeting breed conformation standards to potentially compete in dog shows tend to sit at the top of this price range. Always request health clearances.

Adoption Fees for Rescue Basset Hounds – Alternatively, adopting an adult Basset Hound or older puppy from a dedicated breed-specific rescue organization often costs between approximately $200 to $400 (≈3.3 days of your career at $15/hour), which includes coverage of initial medical screening, spay/neuter procedures, vaccinations, and more. This can be a relatively affordable route to take.

iHeartDogs.com provides a breakdown of Basset Hound puppy costs in different regions of the USA. Prices range from $800 to $2,500 (≈4.2 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage) in the Northeast, $800 to $2,000 (≈3.3 weeks trading your time for $15/hour) in the South, $800 to $1,800 (≈3 weeks of continuous work at $15/hour) in the Midwest, and $1,000 to $2,500 (≈4.2 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage) in the West.

Dog Breeds List indicates that the average price of a Basset Hound puppy from a reputable breeder is between $800 and $1,500 (≈2.5 weeks of non-stop employment at $15/hour). However, top-quality Basset Hound puppies can cost as high as $3,000 (≈1.1 months of non-stop employment at $15/hour) and upward.

NextDayPets.com states that the current median price for all Basset Hounds for sale is around $1,575 (≈2.6 weeks of salary time at $15/hour). Prices can vary based on factors like location, breeder reputation, lineage, and quality of the puppy.

Initial Vet Visits for Exams, Vaccines, and Health Screenings - Those first few puppy wellness vet visits including comprehensive exams, deworming, core vaccinations like parvo and rabies, heartworm tests, and other preventatives will likely total $300 to $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) or more depending on your geographic area and clinic. Additionally, budget in the potential extra costs if you opt to have your Basset Hound spayed or neutered earlier than the 6-month standard.

Essential Supplies to Prep Your Home - Purchasing those initial Basset Hound essentials like a crate, leash and collar, food and water bowls, bedding, and chew toys to puppy-proof your home realistically costs anywhere from $200 (≈1.7 days working without days off at $15/hour) on the very low end up to $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) or more if buying higher-end premium brand items suited for a Basset Hound's needs.

Introductory Obedience Training Classes for Socialization – Signing your new Basset Hound puppy up for group obedience classes focused on socialization, basic commands, and addressing behavioral issues provides tremendous value for around $100 to $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) depending on if you choose basic group classes or more personalized private sessions.

Ongoing Yearly Care and Maintenance Costs

The regular annual expenses you need to budget for to properly care for your beloved Basset Hound include:

Routine Veterinary Medical Costs – Plan to invest around $500 to $1,000 (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour) annually for those necessary annual vet visits for exams, core vaccines, heartworm tests, preventative medication, flea/tick medicine, and any other recommended diagnostics to keep your Basset Hound healthy.

Pet Health Insurance Premiums – Comprehensive pet insurance plans for Basset Hounds run approximately $300 to $700+ (≈1.2 weeks of salary time at $15/hour) per year on average depending on your coverage level selected, annual limits, deductibles, reimbursement rate, and other variables. This provides peace of mind.

Professional Grooming Needs – While Basset Hounds have relatively low maintenance short, dense coats, occasional bathing and nail trims along with twice annual de-shedding treatments generally cost $200 to $400+ (≈3.3 days of your career at $15/hour) annually depending on local groomer rates and the frequency of those much-needed spa days to look and smell fresh.

High-Quality Food and Treats - Feeding your Basset Hound a nutritionally balanced premium diet of dry kibble and tasty snacks that fits their needs and keeps their weight in check will run around $200 to $500+ (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) per year, for reference. Don't skimp on nutrition!

Boarding Kennel and Pet Sitting Fees - For those times when you need a helping hand with pet care duties like during vacations or extended away work trips, budget approximately $25 to $50+ (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour) daily as a baseline for reputable boarding kennels or experienced in-home pet sitters willing to pamper your Basset Hound and provide exercise. These convenient services for peace of mind while traveling do add up over the years.

Replacement Toys and Other Consumable Supplies – As even the most durable plush toys eventually get worn down or destroyed, factor in an additional annual budget of around $50 to $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) for replenishing your Basset Hound's toy box and replacing consumable care items like collars, leashes, bedding, waste bags and more over time. Proper equipment prevents safety hazards.

Additional Ownership Costs

It's prudent for all pet owners to financially prepare for surprise expenses and needs outside of regular care, including:

Emergency and Urgent Veterinary Care Visits - Even with diligent preventative care, Basset Hounds are still at risk for injuries and illnesses requiring urgent vet care, which can unfortunately get quite expensive. Visits for issues like vomiting, diarrhea, hurt paws, allergic reactions, or eating toxins often run $500+ (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) alone. For major conditions or trauma needing hospitalization, bills can easily escalate into the $5,000+ (≈1.9 months of your working life at $15/hour) range even with insurance coverage. Save a pet emergency fund.

Treatment Costs for Potential Genetic Health Conditions – Certain breed-associated medical issues like glaucoma, back problems, allergies, and thyroid disease could necessitate specialized treatments, medications, physical therapy or surgical interventions costing $1,000 (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour) or more per year for chronic management. Identifying conditions early and stabilizing them saves money over time.

Refresher or More Advanced Obedience Training Courses - Keeping up with additional structured group training classes, private lessons, behavioral consults with specialists, or therapy visits for anxious or reactive Basset Hounds typically ranges from $200 to $500+ (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) depending on session intensity and length of continued training. Maintaining learned behaviors requires commitment.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a Norwegian Elkhound, a Greyhound, or a Bloodhound dog.

Quality of Life Care in Advanced Age - In later senior years, expenses for prescription therapeutic foods, pain medications, joint supplements, more frequent vet visits, bloodwork, and mobility assistance tools add up for aging dogs. But ensuring your Basset Hound's maximum comfort during their golden years is a morally essential investment.

Taking the time to thoroughly research common health issues the Basset Hound breed is prone to and proactively budgeting for potential care needs reduces stressful financial surprises. The priority for any devoted pet owner should always first and foremost be focusing on your beloved dog's health, happiness, and quality of life regardless of costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Basset Hound a good pet?

Yes, when properly trained, exercised, and socialized at a young age, Basset Hounds make wonderful and loving family companion pets! Their inherent mildly-mannered personality and relatively low to moderate daily activity needs make them a gentle housedog well-suited to family living.

Do Basset Hounds bark much?

Basset Hounds tend to be infrequent barkers and their more easygoing low-energy nature also makes them a good choice for apartment or condo living, provided they receive daily walks and mental stimulation. However, their tendency to be stubborn makes consistent training essential.

How Long Can I Expect My Basset to Live?

The average lifespan for most Basset Hounds is generally 10 to 12 years when provided with proper routine and preventative veterinary care, nutrition, exercise, and love.

Proactively maintaining your companion's health through regular vet visits, bloodwork, dental cleanings, flea/tick and heartworm prevention, and appropriate vaccines helps ensure your Basset lives a maximally long, active, and happy life.