Basset Hounds are considered moderate shedders. They have a short, smooth coat that needs weekly grooming. While they do shed moderately, their coats are very easy to maintain, therefore, they don’t tend to leave quite as much fur lying around as other dog breeds do.
With that said, they do need to be brushed regularly to keep their shedding under control. They will shed consistently year-round. However, they shed more during certain parts of the year—usually the spring and fall. During these times, these canines may need to be brushed extra to help control their shedding a bit more.
How Do I Stop My Basset Hound from Shedding?
You cannot keep your Basset Hound from shedding altogether. However, you can reduce their shedding partially with a few key guidelines. It’s important to remember that shedding is normal and natural for Basset Hounds and for all furry dogs.
Diet
Shedding can be related to your dog’s diet. While all dogs need to shed somewhat, a dog that has poor skin health due to not getting all the nutrients they need, may shed more.
All commercial dog foods that meet AAFCO standards are complete and balanced, providing all the nutrients your dog needs. However, many dogs have specific needs that must be addressed through food supplementation, or they may have dietary intolerances or allergies that affect their skin health unless certain ingredients are avoided.
Nutritional deficiencies can absolutely lead to more shedding, too. Therefore, if your dog needs more than the bare minimum of a nutrient for one reason or another, you may need to choose a different food or work with a vet to select supplements.
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Brushing
All Basset Hounds shed. To reduce how much fur ends up around your house, you can brush your dog regularly to remove some of the loose fur before it ends up on your floors. Brushing won’t completely eliminate fur around your house, however, it can go a long way to preventing fur buildup on your floor and furniture.
Furthermore, be sure you’re using the correct brush. A pin brush works well for a Basset Hound. Combs and similar tools don’t work well, as they’re more effective for reducing matting (which you don’t have to worry about with a Basset Hound).
Brushing can also keep your dog’s coat clean to some extent. It can remove dirt and dust, which reduces the number of baths your dog needs. As you’ll see below, this can help reduce shedding even more so.
Baths
Bathing can help keep your dog clean. However, excessive bathing can also dry out their skin. Basset Hounds don’t need frequent baths, and you should preferably only bathe them when they are truly dirty.
You can elongate the time between their bathing by brushing them regularly. This removes some of the dirt and dust, preventing buildup. In this way, you can reduce baths to when they are only truly necessary.
Are Basset Hounds Low Maintenance?
Basset Hounds’ coat is considered pretty low-maintenance. They require weekly brushing to reduce shedding. However, that’s about it. You’ll need to perform some normal maintenance that is required for all dog breeds, such as trimming their nails.
They do have floppy ears that need to be taken care of. You should check their ears daily and ensure they have no discharge or malodor. Otitis is common in Basset Hounds due to having such long and floppy ears.
However, these dogs are low-energy and don’t require much exercise. They do need mental stimulation and enjoy some training.
How Hard Are Basset Hounds to Groom?
Bassets are very easy to groom. They have a smooth coat that repels water, dirt, and grime. Therefore, they don’t need tons of brushing or bathing. They aren’t prone to mats or tangles, either.
You don’t have to brush a Basset Hound all that often. However, some people may prefer to brush them daily if they seriously don’t like fur on their furniture or floor. If you decide to brush your Basset Hound more than absolutely necessary, we highly recommend choosing a very gentle brush. Irritating your dog’s skin can lead to more shedding.
Are Basset Hounds Hypoallergenic?
Basset Hounds are not hypoallergenic. In fact, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. All dogs produce allergens that are found in their dander, saliva, and urine and are responsible for triggering allergic reactions in those sensitive to dogs. Therefore, Basset Hounds aren’t going to cause more allergies than other breeds.
Conclusion
Basset Hounds are considered “moderate” shedders. They aren’t the heaviest shedders out there, but they will leave a fine layer of fur across your house. Their coat is short and shiny, shedding throughout the year.
However, they may shed more in the spring and fall. Therefore, you can expect extra shedding during this time. You may have to up the amount of brushing you do during these periods.
Featured Image Credit: Bill Anastasiou, Shutterstock
