Is the Basset Hound Better than the Golden Retriever as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Basset Hound Versus Golden Retriever: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Basset Hound and for the Golden Retriever. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Basset Hound or the Golden Retriever.

Basset Hound versus Golden Retriever: Overview

Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever are similar in size. The Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Basset Hound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, the Golden Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Basset Hound versus Golden Retriever: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Basset Hound to the Golden Retriever based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever

FactorBasset HoundGolden Retriever
General Health1/52/5
Life Span10 to 12 years10 to 12 years
Tolerates Cold Weather2/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Easy To Train2/55/5
NOT Rambunctious4/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs4/51/5
Potential For Playfulness2/55/5
Tolerates Being Alone3/51/5
Does NOT chew on things3/51/5
Good For Novice Owners4/53/5
Easygoing2/51/5
Does NOT Shed2/51/5
Does NOT Drool2/52/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/53/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Dog Friendly5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight1/51/5
Low Prey Drive1/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/54/5
Weight50 to 65 pounds55 to 75 pounds
HeightUp to 14 inches tall at the shoulder21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan11.0 years11.0 years
Average Price$1410$1870
Price Range$1000 – $1500$1500 – $2200
Temperament Score86.5 percent85.6 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Thrombopathia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination (evaluations annually for the dog`s lifetime)
  • Hip Dysplasia
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)714

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Basset Hound in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Golden Retriever. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Basset Hound is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Golden Retriever is 73 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Basset Hound is a better pet than the Golden Retriever. So, you should get the Basset Hound!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever

    Below is a list of where the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever are most different:

    • Basset Hounds are not easy to train. However, Golden Retrievers are very easy to train.
    • Basset Hounds have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Golden Retrievers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Basset Hounds have low exercise needs. However, Golden Retrievers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Basset Hounds not very playful. However, Golden Retrievers are very playful.
    • Basset Hounds adapt well to apartment living. However, Golden Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Basset Hounds are very easy to groom. However, Golden Retrievers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Basset Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Golden Retrievers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    The Similarities Between the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever

    The Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever are most similar:

    • Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever are good for new dog owners.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever have a very high tendency to drool.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.

    Size Comparison of Basset Hound versus Golden Retriever

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever.

    Basset Hounds weigh 50 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Basset Hounds are Up to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Golden Retrievers weigh 55 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Golden Retrievers are 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Basset Hound versus Golden Retriever

    The lifespan of Basset Hounds is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Basset Hounds is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Golden Retrievers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Golden Retrievers is 11.0 years.

    Temperament of the Basset Hound Versus the Golden Retriever

    The Basset Hound has a better temperament than the Golden Retriever.

    This is because the temperament score for the Basset Hound is 86.5 percent while the temperament score for the Golden Retriever is 85.6 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 86.5 percent, the Basset Hound has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 85.6 percent, the Golden Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever by measuring the temperaments of 37 Basset Hounds and 813 Golden Retrievers.

    Price of Basset Hound versus Price of Golden Retriever

    The average price of the Basset Hound puppy is $1410. The price of the Basset Hound typically ranges from $1000 – $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 343 Basset Hound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Golden Retriever puppy is $1870. The price of the Golden Retriever typically ranges from $1500 – $2200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2668 Golden Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Golden Retriever is more expensive than the Basset Hound.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Basset Hound and Golden Retriever. For different price points, the charts show how many Basset Hound puppies or how many Golden Retriever puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Basset Hounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Basset Hounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Golden Retrievers

    A breakdown of the prices of Golden Retrievers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Basset Hound puppy or the Golden Retriever puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Intelligence of the Basset Hound versus the Intelligence of the Golden Retriever

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    Basset Hound Golden Retriever
    Intelligence Rank 71 out of 130 dog breeds 4 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Basset Hound has an obedience intelligence rank of 71 out of 130 dog breeds. The Basset Hound belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Basset Hounds tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    The Golden Retriever has an obedience intelligence rank of 4 out of 130 dog breeds. The Golden Retriever belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Golden Retrievers tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The Golden Retriever is more intelligent than the Basset Hound.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Health Problems of Basset Hound versus Health Problems of Golden Retriever

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Golden Retriever is prone to more genetic health problems than the Basset Hound.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Golden Retriever than for the Basset Hound.

    1 health tests are recommended for Basset Hound while 4 tests are recommended for the Golden Retriever.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Basset Hounds and in Golden Retrievers.

    Basset Hound Health Problems

    Basset Hounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Basset Hound puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Basset Hound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Basset Hound breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Basset Hounds for:

  • Thrombopathia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Basset Hounds here.

    Golden Retriever Health Problems

    Golden Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Golden Retriever puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Golden Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Golden Retriever breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Golden Retrievers for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination (evaluations annually for the dog`s lifetime)
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Golden Retrievers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Basset Hound versus Golden Retriever

    Basset Hounds can be left alone only for a short time.

    Golden Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Basset Hounds shed more than Golden Retrievers?

    Basset Hounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Golden Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Basset Hound or the Golden Retriever

    Basset Hounds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Golden Retrievers have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Basset Hound or the Golden Retriever?

    Basset Hounds are very easy to groom.

    Golden Retrievers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Basset Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Golden Retriever?

    Basset Hounds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Golden Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Basset Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Golden Retrievers?

    Basset Hounds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Golden Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Basset Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Golden Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Basset Hounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Golden Retrievers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Basset Hound vs. Golden Retriever

    Basset Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Golden Retrievers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Basset Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Golden Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Basset Hounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Golden Retrievers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Basset Hound or the Golden Retriever?

    Basset Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Golden Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Basset Hounds good family dogs? What about Golden Retrievers?

    Basset Hounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Golden Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Basset Hounds and Golden Retrievers?

    Basset Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Golden Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Basset Hound Easier to Train than the Golden Retriever?

    Basset Hounds are not easy to train.

    Golden Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Is the Basset Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Golden Retriever?

    Basset Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Golden Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Basset Hound or the Golden Retriever?

    Basset Hounds are very good for new dog owners.

    Golden Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Basset Hound versus Golden Retriever. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Basset Hound and the Golden Retriever better suits you and your family.