Basset Hound or Brussels Griffon? On paper they differ most on good with kids, and on the scales Basset Hound 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 Basset Hound and Brussels Griffon and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on good with kids and good with other dogs, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Brussels Griffon rates 5/5 against 4/5. The focus throughout is on daily consequences rather than breed background.
Between Basset Hound and Brussels Griffon, good with kids is what separates them; neither is the lower-effort dog overall.
Choose Basset Hound if this is your first dog, there are young children at home and you already have another dog.
Choose Brussels Griffon if you are in a flat or a smaller home, shedding is a problem in your house and you want a dog that picks up training quickly.
| Feature | basset hound | brussels griffon | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | medium | small | Equal |
| Weight | 40–65 lbs | 8–12 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 12–15 in | 7–10 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 10–12 years | 12–15 years | brussels griffon |
| Exercise need | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Grooming need | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Shedding | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | brussels griffon |
| Energy level | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | basset hound |
| Apartment suitability | High (4/5) | Very high (5/5) | brussels griffon |
| Good for first-time owners | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | basset hound |
| Tolerates being alone | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Trainability | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | brussels griffon |
| Good with kids | Very high (5/5) | Moderate (3/5) | basset hound |
| Good with other dogs | Very high (5/5) | Moderate (3/5) | basset hound |
| Friendly to strangers | Very high (5/5) | Moderate (3/5) | basset hound |
| Cost level | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Coat | Short, dense | Rough or smooth | Equal |
| Origin | France | Various | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $80–$150 | $80–$150 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,300–$2,300 | $1,100–$2,300 | Equal |
The scale here is dramatic - a Basset Hound at 40-65 lbs dwarfs a Brussels Griffon at just 8-12 lbs, and the Griffon stands only 7-10 inches tall against the Basset's already-short 12-15. If you've pictured "big dog energy in a small package," the Griffon is closer to that; the Basset is simply big, low to the ground, and dense.
Both rate low (2/5) for exercise need, so this isn't the differentiator it might seem given the size gap. The Griffon edges slightly higher on general energy (3/5 vs 2/5) - it's a more alert, reactive presence day to day even without needing long walks. Neither breed will pull you out the door for a run, but the Griffon's higher general energy can look like restlessness indoors if it's under-stimulated.
Grooming ties at moderate (3/5) for both, which surprises some people given how different the coats look - the Griffon comes in rough or smooth varieties, both requiring regular attention. Shedding favors the Griffon slightly, low (2/5) against the Basset's moderate (3/5). Wire-coated Griffons in particular benefit from occasional hand-stripping, a step the Basset's flat coat never requires.
The Griffon barks more (moderate 3/5 vs the Basset's low 2/5), which matters in thin-walled buildings, but still edges out the Basset on overall apartment suitability - very high (5/5) against high (4/5) - on the strength of its small size and low exercise need. Neither breed tolerates being left alone especially well, both tied at low (2/5), so apartment living works best for either dog paired with a flexible schedule.
The Griffon trains a bit more readily (moderate 3/5 vs the Basset's low 2/5), but the Basset actually scores better for first-time owners overall (high 4/5 vs the Griffon's moderate 3/5). A Griffon's sensitivity can make it a trickier fit for an inexperienced owner despite its size. First-timers drawn to the Griffon's small size should weigh that sensitivity carefully - a dog that startles easily needs a calmer, more consistent household than its size alone implies.
This is where the two diverge sharply. The Basset scores very high (5/5) with kids, other dogs, and strangers across the board. The Griffon sits at a more moderate 3/5 on all three - it tends to bond tightly with one person and can be wary of chaos. Neither score is a disqualifier, but a household that regularly has kids' friends or other pets over will likely find the Basset the easier fit.
The Griffon lives longer on average, 12-15 years against the Basset's 10-12, and carries a shorter health list - brachycephalic airway syndrome, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, eye injuries, and syringomyelia. The Basset's ten-item list leans instead toward ears, back, and bloat risk. Syringomyelia in particular is linked to the Griffon's skull shape and is worth discussing directly with a breeder or vet.
Both breeds are rated moderate (3/5) for cost, with nearly identical monthly ranges - $80-150 for both - though the Basset's first-year range ($1,300-2,300) runs slightly above the Griffon's ($1,100-2,300). Size doesn't translate into a cost gap here. Food costs alone would suggest a bigger gap given the weight difference, but these ranges are driven more by grooming and vet-visit norms than portion size.
Basset Hound weighs 40–65 lbs and lives 10–12 years; Brussels Griffon weighs 8–12 lbs and lives 12–15 years. The two diverge most on good with kids, good with other dogs and friendly to strangers. They are level on tolerates being alone, cost level and exercise need, so those cannot decide it. The table below marks a winner only where one breed is genuinely easier for a typical owner; size and origin are facts rather than merits and stay level. Ratings come from one source applied to both breeds, so they are meaningful against each other rather than as absolute scores.
Considerably - the Basset weighs 40-65 lbs against the Griffon's 8-12 lbs, roughly four to six times as much, even though both are rated moderate (3/5) on the same grooming scale.
The Basset Hound, clearly - very high (5/5) with kids against the Griffon's moderate (3/5). The Griffon's smaller size and more sensitive temperament make rough play with young children a bigger risk.
The Brussels Griffon, rated very high (5/5) versus the Basset's high (4/5), though the Griffon barks more (moderate 3/5 vs low 2/5), which could matter with close neighbors.
The Brussels Griffon, at 12-15 years compared to the Basset Hound's 10-12.
The Basset Hound rates higher, high (4/5) against the Griffon's moderate (3/5), despite the Griffon's smaller size - its sensitive temperament takes more experienced handling than its size suggests.
Hip dysplasia appears on both lists. Otherwise their risks split by body type - brachycephalic and skull-related issues for the flat-faced Griffon, back and ear issues for the long-bodied Basset.
The Basset Hound is quieter, low (2/5), while the Brussels Griffon is moderate (3/5) - a small dog with a bigger voice, consistent with its "alert" temperament trait.
For most households with kids or other pets, the Basset Hound - it scores very high (5/5) across kids, other dogs, and strangers, where the Griffon sits at a more moderate 3/5 on all three.
Barely - both run $80-150 a month and carry the same moderate (3/5) cost rating.
No, both rate low (2/5) on exercise need despite the huge size difference between them.
The Brussels Griffon, at 12-15 years versus the Basset Hound's 10-12 years.
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.
Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and we only suggest products we believe are helpful for dog owners.
Match your lifestyle to the right dog.
Take quizNot sure which breed is right for you? Take our 2-minute quiz to find out.
Take the quiz