Do Basset Hounds Bark a Lot? The Ultimate Guide for Owners

Basset Hounds are one of the most beloved and recognizable dog breeds in the world. With their long, velvety ears, short legs, and soulful eyes, these charmingly droopy hounds have won the hearts of dog lovers for generations. However, one question that often comes up for prospective Basset owners is: do Basset Hounds bark a lot?

As with all dogs, barking is a natural behavior for Basset Hounds. But when it comes to vocalization, not all breeds are created equal. In fact, Basset Hounds are known for being quite talkative compared to many other dogs.

Why Are Basset Hounds So Vocal?

To understand why Basset Hounds tend to bark more than some other breeds, it helps to look at their history. Basset Hounds were originally bred in France to be hunting dogs. Their short legs allowed them to navigate through dense underbrush, while their powerful noses tracked small game like rabbits and hares.

On the hunt, Basset Hounds worked in packs and used their loud, baying barks to alert the hunters to their location. This booming vocalization was intentionally bred into the Bassets and is still hardwired into the modern Basset Hound‘s DNA. As the American Kennel Club puts it, "barking to the Basset Hound is as natural as a yodel to a Swiss mountain dweller."

In addition to their hunting instincts, Basset Hounds also tend to be very social and people-oriented dogs. They crave human companionship and will often use barking as a way to initiate play, seek attention, or express their emotions.

Basset Hound Barking By the Numbers

So just how much do Basset Hounds bark compared to other dogs? While there‘s no official data on barking frequency, a 2010 study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior offers some clues. The researchers surveyed owners of 49 different dog breeds and asked them to rank their dogs‘ barking levels on a scale of 1 (rarely barks) to 5 (barks a lot).

Out of the 49 breeds surveyed, Basset Hounds ranked as the 12th most frequent barkers, with an average score of 3.63. This puts them in the same tier as other vocal breeds like Beagles, Chihuahuas, and Miniature Schnauzers. For comparison, the breed rated least likely to bark was the Greyhound, with an average score of 1.67.

Here‘s a breakdown of how Basset Hounds compared to some common breeds in terms of barking frequency:

Breed	Average Barking Score (1-5)
Greyhound	1.67
Golden Retriever	2.57
Poodle	2.63
Labrador Retriever	2.84
German Shepherd	3.32
Basset Hound	3.63
Chihuahua	3.67
Beagle	4.16

Of course, every individual dog is different, and not all Basset Hounds will conform to the breed average. Some Bassets may naturally be quieter, while others could be real chatterboxes. But in general, Basset Hound owners should be prepared for a dog that likes to voice their opinion.

Basset Hound Vocalizations 101

Barking is just one type of vocalization in the Basset Hound‘s repertoire. These expressive dogs are also known for baying, howling, whining, and grumbling. To the uninitiated, these vocalizations might all sound the same, but to a Basset Hound, each one has a distinct meaning.

According to Dr. Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology and expert on dog behavior, the different types of Basset vocalizations can be translated as follows:

• Barking: "There‘s something worth paying attention to here!"
• Baying: "I‘m over here! Come find me!"
• Howling: "I‘m calling out to my pack. Where are you?"
• Whining: "I want something" or "I‘m not feeling comfortable"
• Grumbling: "I‘m feeling content and happy"

So if your Basset Hound is baying in the backyard, they may be Role-playing their hunting days and calling out to an imaginary pack. A low, gentle grumbling noise usually means your Basset is feeling relaxed and content. And those mournful whines? They could be saying anything from "I need to go potty" to "Play with me!"

When Barking Becomes a Problem

Most Basset Hound owners expect some degree of vocalization from their hounds. A few barks when the doorbell rings or a celebratory howl during playtime is all part of life with a Basset. However, excessive barking that goes on for long periods can quickly become a problem.

The downsides of problem barking include:

• Annoyed neighbors, which can lead to noise complaints
• Disrupted sleep and difficulty relaxing at home
• Potential hearing damage for owners and family members
• Strained relationships with roommates, spouses or children
• Being unable to have the dog at work or while traveling
• Higher stress levels for both dogs and owners

If your Basset Hound seems to bark nonstop, it‘s important to identify the root cause of the behavior. According to Dr. Stefanie Schwartz, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, some of the most common reasons for excessive Basset barking are:

• Boredom and under-stimulation
• Separation anxiety
• Territorial or alarm barking
• Seeking attention
• Pain or another medical issue

Once you understand why your Basset is barking, you can start to implement a training plan to reduce the noise.

Training Tips to Control Excessive Barking

Basset Hounds are intelligent dogs that respond well to positive reinforcement training. With some patience and practice, most Bassets can learn to control their vocalizations. Here are some expert-approved tips to stop excessive barking:

1. Increase exercise and enrichment

A tired Basset Hound is a quiet Basset Hound. Make sure your dog is getting enough physical exercise with daily walks, backyard play sessions, and mentally-stimulating puzzle toys. A Basset that‘s tuckered out from healthy activity is less likely to bark from boredom or frustration.

2. Teach the "quiet" command

One of the most effective ways to control excessive barking is to teach your Basset to stop barking on cue. Here‘s how to teach the "quiet" command:

• Wait for your dog to start barking, then say "speak!" in an enthusiastic voice and encourage the barking.
• Praise and treat your dog while they are barking.
• Once your dog is barking reliably on the "speak" cue, start saying "quiet" in a calm, firm voice.
• The instant your dog stops barking, even just to take a breath, say "yes!" and give them a high value treat.
• Practice alternating between "speak" and "quiet" until you can reliably get your dog to stop barking when you say "quiet."

3. Desensitize your dog to barking triggers

If your Basset barks excessively at noises like doorbells or knocks, you can help desensitize them with practice. Start by intentionally making the noise at a low volume, then immediately giving your dog a treat. Gradually increase the volume over multiple practice sessions, rewarding your dog each time they stay quiet. Over time, your Basset will learn that the scary noise predicts Good Things and is nothing to bark about.

4. Don‘t reward attention-seeking barking

Many dogs will bark to get their owners‘ attention. When you look at them, talk to them, or try to shush them, you are inadvertently rewarding the barking behavior. Instead, completely ignore your dog until they are quiet, then immediately praise and reward the silence. If you stay consistent, your Basset will quickly learn that being quiet gets them the attention they crave.

5. Consult with a professional trainer

If your Basset Hound‘s barking doesn‘t improve with DIY training methods, don‘t hesitate to bring in a certified professional dog trainer or behaviorist. They can observe your dog‘s body language and barking triggers and create a customized training plan for your unique situation. Sometimes an expert eye is needed to get to the bottom of a complex barking habit.

Basset-Proofing Your Home

In addition to training, making some easy adjustments to your home environment can help reduce your Basset‘s urge to bark. Dr. Nicholas Dodman, the founder of the Animal Behavior Clinic, recommends taking steps to insulate your dog from distracting sounds and sights, like:

• Installing thicker curtains or blinds to block the view of passersby
• Adding weatherproofing strips to windows and doors to reduce incoming noise
• Investing in a white noise machine for times your dog needs to be left alone
• Placing a tall privacy fence around your yard so your dog can‘t see neighboring activity

The less your Basset Hound sees and hears, the less ammunition they‘ll have to sound the alarm.

Socializing Your Basset Hound Puppy

When it comes to preventing nuisance barking, providing plenty of positive socialization experiences during puppyhood is key. Basset puppies that are exposed to a wide variety of people, animals, and environments grow up to be confident, well-adjusted adults.

According to Linda Hazen, a basset Hound breeder and rescue volunteer, the ideal window for socializing your Basset puppy is between 3 and 16 weeks old. "After 16 weeks, a puppy will start to become more cautious about new experiences," Hazen says. "So earlier is better when it comes to showing them the world is a friendly, non-threatening place."

Some ideas for socializing your Basset Hound puppy include:

• Inviting a variety of visitors to your home, including men, women, children, and people wearing hats or glasses
• Carrying your puppy to busy locations like outdoor shopping centers or cafes and offering them treats as they take everything in
• Arranging playdates with other calm, friendly puppies and adult dogs
• Enrolling in a positive puppy kindergarten class
• Feeding meals in different rooms of the house so your pup learns to feel comfortable everywhere
• Introducing your puppy to common household noises like vacuums, hairdryers, and TV sounds

A well socialized Basset puppy is more likely to grow into a discriminating adult that only barks when there‘s truly something noteworthy to report.

The Bottom Line

As any Basset Hound owner can tell you, these charming hounds are certainly not the strong, silent type. Barking, baying, howling and all manner of other vocalizations are deeply embedded in the Basset Hound‘s nature.

While it‘s unrealistic (and even unkind) to expect a Basset never to bark, excessive or nuisance barking is a problem that can and should be addressed. Giving your Basset plenty of exercise, mental enrichment, and training will go a long way towards curbing unnecessary noise.

No matter what, it‘s important to approach your Basset‘s barking with understanding and compassion. With time, patience and plenty of positive reinforcement, you and your talkative hound can find a happy medium where everyone gets the peace and quiet they need.