Living
Which is the easier overall choice?
The Basset Hound for most households, better apartment fit, friendlier with strangers, and easier for a first-time owner, though it trades that for being much harder to train off-leash reliably.
Australian Shepherd vs Basset Hound: Which Suits Your Home?
Australian Shepherd or Basset Hound? On paper they differ most on exercise need, and on the scales Australian Shepherd is the heavier at 40–65 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Australian Shepherd and Basset Hound and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on exercise need and energy level, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Basset Hound rates 4/5 against 1/5. Breed history is left out; what follows is what you will actually live with.
Quick verdict
Between Australian Shepherd and Basset Hound, exercise need is what separates them, and Basset Hound is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.
Choose australian shepherd if...
Choose Australian Shepherd if you want a dog that picks up training quickly, you want a dog that can keep up with an active routine and you want a dog that is more watchful with visitors.
Choose basset hound if...
Choose Basset Hound if you are in a flat or a smaller home, this is your first dog and shedding is a problem in your house.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | australian shepherd | basset hound | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | medium | medium | Equal |
| Weight | 40–65 lbs | 40–65 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 18–23 in | 12–15 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years | 10–12 years | australian shepherd |
| Exercise need | Very high (5/5) | Low (2/5) | basset hound |
| Grooming need | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Shedding | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | basset hound |
| Energy level | Very high (5/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | basset hound |
| Apartment suitability | Very low (1/5) | High (4/5) | basset hound |
| Good for first-time owners | Low (2/5) | High (4/5) | basset hound |
| Tolerates being alone | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Trainability | Very high (5/5) | Low (2/5) | australian shepherd |
| Good with kids | High (4/5) | Very high (5/5) | basset hound |
| Good with other dogs | High (4/5) | Very high (5/5) | basset hound |
| Friendly to strangers | Low (2/5) | Very high (5/5) | basset hound |
| Cost level | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Coat | Medium-length double coat | Short, dense | Equal |
| Origin | United States | France | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $100–$200 | $80–$150 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,500–$2,800 | $1,300–$2,300 | Equal |
Deep dive
Size and build
Weight is identical on paper, both breeds run 40-65 lbs, but the similarity ends there. The Aussie stands 18-23 inches on a lean, athletic frame; the Basset stands just 12-15 inches, all that weight packed into a low, long-backed body built for scent work close to the ground. Same scale reading, completely different dog.
Energy and exercise
Few pairings on this site are more lopsided on energy: the Aussie rates the maximum 5/5 for both exercise need and energy level, built to work sheep all day. The Basset Hound rates low (2/5) on exercise need, it's a scent hound that ambles, not a runner, and will happily follow a trail at its own pace rather than yours.
Grooming and shedding
Grooming need is a tie, both moderate at 3/5, though the reasons differ, the Aussie's double coat needs regular brushing to manage undercoat, while the Basset's ears and skin folds need routine cleaning to avoid infection. Shedding leans slightly toward the Basset being the lighter shedder, 3/5 against the Aussie's 4/5.
Apartment living, noise and time alone
The Basset Hound is the far better apartment dog, rating 4/5 against the Aussie's rock-bottom 1/5. Both tolerate being left alone poorly (2/5 each), so neither is ideal for long solo hours, but at least the Basset won't be pacing a small space out of pent-up herding drive the way an under-exercised Aussie will.
Training and owner experience
This is the widest trainability gap in the batch: the Aussie rates a perfect 5/5, one of the most trainable breeds there is, while the Basset Hound rates 2/5, a stubborn, nose-driven breed that will often choose the scent trail over your recall command. First-time-owner suitability flips the same way, low (2/5) for the Aussie against high (4/5) for the Basset.
Kids, other dogs and visitors
Both do well with kids and other dogs, though the Basset edges slightly higher on both (5/5 and 5/5 versus the Aussie's 4/5 and 4/5). The bigger split is with strangers: the Basset is very outgoing (5/5) while the Aussie is notably reserved (2/5), a temperament difference that shows up the moment a guest walks through the door.
Health and lifespan
The Aussie's 12-15 year lifespan beats the Basset's 10-12 by a few years. Both share hip dysplasia and allergy risk, but their other conditions diverge, the Aussie's list includes epilepsy and several eye conditions tied to its merle coloring, while the Basset's includes bloat (GDV) and back problems, both linked to that long, low body shape.
Cost to keep
Costs run close: $100-200 monthly for the Aussie versus $80-150 for the Basset, and a similar gap in first-year totals ($1,500-2,800 vs. $1,300-2,300). The Basset comes in slightly cheaper across the board, though the difference is modest enough that it shouldn't be the deciding factor.
Australian Shepherd vs Basset Hound at a glance
Australian Shepherd weighs 40–65 lbs and lives 12–15 years; Basset Hound weighs 40–65 lbs and lives 10–12 years. The two diverge most on exercise need, energy level and apartment suitability and 3 other rated axes. They are level on tolerates being alone, cost level and grooming need, so those cannot decide it. The comparison marks an easier option only where one exists. Facts like weight and country of origin are not scored. Both dogs are rated from the same dataset, which is what makes the numbers comparable with each other even though any individual dog sits somewhere inside its breed's range.
Frequently asked questions
Are these two really the same weight?
Yes, both run 40-65 lbs, but the Basset carries that weight on a body less than half the Aussie's height, it's a much stockier, lower-slung dog.
Which needs more exercise?
The Aussie by a huge margin, 5/5 versus the Basset's 2/5. This is likely the single biggest factor in choosing between them.
Is either good for a first-time owner?
The Basset Hound, clearly, 4/5 versus the Aussie's 2/5. The Aussie's combination of high drive and low patience for city living makes it a demanding first dog.
Which trains more easily?
The Aussie, rated a perfect 5/5 against the Basset's 2/5. Bassets are intelligent but famously independent, and that shows up directly in the trainability score.
How do they compare in cost?
Close but not identical, $100-200 monthly for the Aussie versus $80-150 for the Basset, with the Basset running cheaper at both ends of the first-year range too.
Do they share health risks?
Hip dysplasia and allergies appear on both lists. Beyond that they diverge, the Basset's risks include bloat and back problems from its body shape, while the Aussie's include epilepsy and several genetic eye conditions.
Which is friendlier to strangers?
The Basset Hound by a wide margin, 5/5 versus the Aussie's 2/5, Aussies tend to be reserved or watchful around unfamiliar people, a trait tied to their herding background.
Quick answers
View more answersCosts
What's the monthly cost?
$100-200 for the Aussie, $80-150 for the Basset.
Behavior
Which needs more daily exercise?
The Aussie, at the maximum 5/5 rating versus the Basset's low 2/5.
Health
Which lives longer?
The Aussie, 12-15 years versus the Basset's 10-12.
Related DogBreedCompass guides
- Australian Shepherd breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Australian Shepherd before deciding.
- Basset Hound breed guide – The same for Basset Hound, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
- Australian Shepherd vs German Shorthaired Pointer – German Shorthaired Pointer is the closest breed to Australian Shepherd on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
- Basset Hound vs Bulldog (English) – Bulldog (English) sits closest to Basset Hound, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
- Australian Shepherd vs Bulldog (English) – Bulldog (English) is the other breed Basset Hound is most often weighed against.
- Basset Hound health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.
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Important reminder
Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.
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