Basset Hound vs Havanese: Which Suits Your Home?

The size difference here might be the most dramatic in this series by ratio, if not by raw numbers, a Havanese weighs just 7-13 lbs and stands 8-11 inches, while the Basset Hound, despite its short legs, weighs 40-65 lbs, five to eight times as much. Two very different silhouettes: one you can carry, one you can't. If portability matters to your lifestyle, that alone may settle the question.

Exercise need actually ties here, Low, 2/5, for both breeds, a rare point of agreement in this comparison given how different they look. Energy level also ties, Moderate, 3/5, for both. Neither dog is going to demand a running partner; the Havanese's Lively temperament shows up more in personality than in exercise requirements. A short walk and some indoor playtime cover both breeds' physical needs.

The Havanese's long, silky coat pushes its grooming need to High, 4/5, against the Basset's Moderate, 3/5, regular brushing is non-negotiable to prevent matting. Shedding runs the other way: Low, 2/5, for the Havanese versus Moderate, 3/5, for the Basset. More brushing, less hair on the couch. Which tradeoff matters more depends entirely on whether you mind daily brushing or occasional vacuuming.

The Havanese rates Very High, 5/5, for apartment suitability, edging out even the Basset's strong High, 4/5. Barking runs the other direction, though, Moderate, 3/5, for the Havanese versus Low, 2/5, for the Basset, and it also tolerates being alone worse, Very Low, 1/5, against the Basset's already-low 2/5. Small and apartment-friendly doesn't mean low-maintenance in every category. A Havanese left alone too often is more likely to develop separation-related habits than a Basset would be.

Havanese rate High, 4/5, for trainability against the Basset's Low, 2/5, and Very High, 5/5, for first-time owners, the top score available, matching its Intelligent, Adaptable temperament. The Basset still holds a solid High, 4/5, for first-time owners, so both are reasonable beginner choices, just for different reasons. A new owner willing to put in consistent short sessions should see results quickly with a Havanese.

Kids favor the Basset slightly, Very High, 5/5, against the Havanese's High, 4/5, and strangers follow the same pattern, Very High, 5/5, versus High, 4/5. Other dogs is a tie, Very High, 5/5, for both. None of the Havanese's scores here are weak, High, 4/5, across two categories is still strong, the Basset is just marginally more unflappable. Both breeds are considered reliably good choices for households with children.

The Havanese lives considerably longer, 13-16 years against the Basset's 10-12, the widest lifespan gap in this entire batch. Three conditions overlap: Hip Dysplasia, Ear Infections and Allergies. The Havanese's list separately includes Patellar Luxation, Cataracts, Deafness and Liver Shunts; the Basset's includes Bloat, Back Problems and Skin Fold Dermatitis, tied more directly to its body shape. Those extra years are worth weighing seriously against the shorter-lived breeds elsewhere in this series.

Cost level favors the Basset, Moderate, 3/5, against the Havanese's High, 4/5, though the actual dollar ranges are close: $80-160 monthly for the Havanese versus $80-150 for the Basset, and $1,200-2,300 versus $1,300-2,300 in year one. In practice, these two are the closest-matched pair in this series on price. Whichever you choose, the day-to-day cost of ownership shouldn't be the deciding factor.