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

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Basset Hound Versus Hovawart: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Basset Hound and the Hovawart? 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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Basset Hound and the Hovawart 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 Hovawart. 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 Hovawart.

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 Hovawart.

Basset Hound versus Hovawart: Overview

A very important difference between the Basset Hound and the Hovawart is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Basset Hound is a medium-sized dog while the Hovawart is a large-sized dog.

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 Hovawart belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Basset Hound versus Hovawart: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Basset Hound to the Hovawart 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 Hovawart

Factor Basset Hound Hovawart
General Health 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
Weight 50 to 65 pounds 55 to 110 pounds
Height Up to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 29 inches
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1410 No Data
Price Range $1000 – $1500 No Data
Temperament Score 86.5 percent 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Thrombopathia
    		•  No Data

    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 Hovawart. 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 Hovawart is 78 out of 125.

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

    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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart

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

    • Basset Hounds have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Hovawarts are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Basset Hounds have a very high tendency to drool. However, Hovawarts do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Basset Hounds adapt well to apartment living. However, Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Basset Hounds get along well with other dogs. However, Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Basset Hounds are very friendly towards strangers. However, Hovawarts are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Basset Hounds have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Hovawarts have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
    • Basset Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Hovawarts 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 Hovawart

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

    • Both the Basset Hound and the Hovawart cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Hovawart are not easy to train.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Hovawart 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 Hovawart shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Hovawart are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Hovawart are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Hovawart get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Hovawart are very easy to groom.

    Size Comparison of Basset Hound versus Hovawart

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

    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, Hovawarts weigh 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Hovawarts are 23 to 29 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Basset Hound versus Hovawart

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

    The lifespan of Hovawarts is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Hovawarts is 12.0 years.

    Hovawarts live longer than Basset Hounds.

    Temperament of the Hovawart Versus the Basset Hound

    The Hovawart has a better temperament than the Basset Hound.

    This is because the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 percent while the temperament score for the Basset Hound is 86.5 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 91.7 percent, the Hovawart has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Basset Hound and the Hovawart by measuring the temperaments of 37 Basset Hounds and 24 Hovawarts.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Basset Hound versus Hovawart

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

    Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.

    Do Basset Hounds shed more than Hovawarts?

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

    Hovawarts shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Basset Hound or the Hovawart

    Basset Hounds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Basset Hound or the Hovawart?

    Basset Hounds are very easy to groom.

    Hovawarts are very easy to groom.

    Does the Basset Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?

    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.

    Hovawarts have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Basset Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?

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

    Hovawarts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Basset Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Basset Hound vs. Hovawart

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

    Hovawarts 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 Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Hovawarts 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 Hovawart?

    Basset Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Basset Hounds good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?

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

    Hovawarts are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Basset Hounds and Hovawarts?

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

    Hovawarts get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Basset Hound Easier to Train than the Hovawart?

    Basset Hounds are not easy to train.

    Hovawarts are not easy to train.

    Is the Basset Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Hovawart?

    Basset Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Basset Hounds are very good for new dog owners.

    Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Basset Hound versus Hovawart. 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 Hovawart better suits you and your family.