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Basset Hound vs Newfoundland: Which Suits Your Home?

Basset Hound or Newfoundland? On paper they differ most on apartment suitability, and on the scales Newfoundland is the heavier at 100–150 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.

This is for someone already down to Basset Hound and Newfoundland and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on apartment suitability and shedding, 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. There is no origin story here — only what changes about your week.

Quick verdict

Between Basset Hound and Newfoundland, apartment suitability is what separates them, and Basset Hound is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.

Choose basset hound if...

Choose Basset Hound if you are in a flat or a smaller home, this is your first dog and you do not want a standing grooming appointment.

Choose newfoundland if...

Choose Newfoundland if the dog will be alone during the working day, you want a dog that picks up training quickly and you want a dog that can keep up with an active routine.

Head-to-head comparison

Feature	basset hound	newfoundland	Winner
Size class	medium	giant	Equal
Weight	40–65 lbs	100–150 lbs	Equal
Height	12–15 in	26–28 in	Equal
Lifespan	10–12 years	9–10 years	basset hound
Exercise need	Low (2/5)	Moderate (3/5)	basset hound
Grooming need	Moderate (3/5)	High (4/5)	basset hound
Shedding	Moderate (3/5)	Very high (5/5)	basset hound
Energy level	Low (2/5)	Low (2/5)	Equal
Barking	Low (2/5)	Low (2/5)	Equal
Apartment suitability	High (4/5)	Very low (1/5)	basset hound
Good for first-time owners	High (4/5)	Moderate (3/5)	basset hound
Tolerates being alone	Low (2/5)	Moderate (3/5)	newfoundland
Trainability	Low (2/5)	High (4/5)	newfoundland
Good with kids	Very high (5/5)	Very high (5/5)	Equal
Good with other dogs	Very high (5/5)	High (4/5)	basset hound
Friendly to strangers	Very high (5/5)	High (4/5)	basset hound
Cost level	Moderate (3/5)	Very high (5/5)	basset hound
Coat	Short, dense	Heavy water-resistant double coat	Equal
Origin	France	Various	Equal
Typical monthly cost	$80–$150	$150–$310	Equal
Typical first-year cost	$1,300–$2,300	$2,200–$4,200	Equal

Deep dive

Size and build

A Newfoundland is a genuine giant, 100 to 150 pounds and 26 to 28 inches tall, roughly double the Basset Hound's height and up to three times its weight. The Basset's 40-to-65-pound frame stays low and long; a Newfoundland's is tall, broad, and built for water work and hauling.

Energy and exercise

The Basset needs less exercise, a low 2 out of 5 versus the Newfoundland's moderate 3 out of 5, though neither breed is demanding by large-dog standards. A Newfoundland's size means even moderate exercise takes more space and more patience than a Basset's short daily walk.

Grooming and shedding

Neither is a low-maintenance coat, but the Newfoundland asks for more, high (4/5) grooming versus the Basset's moderate (3/5), and sheds considerably more too, a very high 5 out of 5 against the Basset's moderate 3 out of 5. A heavy, water-resistant double coat means regular brushing just to keep up.

Apartment living, noise and time alone

This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: the Basset rates 4 out of 5 for apartment suitability, the Newfoundland just 1 out of 5. A 100-plus-pound dog needs floor space a small apartment simply doesn't have. Barking ties at low (2/5) for both, so noise isn't the issue, space is.

Training and owner experience

The Newfoundland trains more readily (high 4/5 versus the Basset's low 2/5), reflecting its long history as a working, biddable breed. Still, the Basset rates slightly better for first-time owners overall (4/5 versus 3/5), a Newfoundland's size means any training gaps show up in a much bigger, harder-to-manage dog.

Kids, other dogs and visitors

Both tie at 5 out of 5 with kids, Newfoundlands have a long-standing reputation as gentle giants around children. The Basset edges ahead with other dogs and strangers (5/5 versus the Newfoundland's 4/5 in both), though the Newfoundland's numbers here are still strong.

Health and lifespan

The Basset lives somewhat longer, 10 to 12 years against the Newfoundland's 9 to 10, typical for a giant breed. Both carry hip dysplasia and bloat risk, especially worth monitoring in a deep-chested breed like the Newfoundland. Its list also includes heart conditions specific to giant breeds that don't appear on the Basset's.

Cost to keep

Keeping a Newfoundland costs considerably more, a very high 5-out-of-5 cost rating against the Basset's moderate 3 out of 5, with monthly costs of $150-$310 versus $80-$150 and first-year costs that can reach $4,200 against the Basset's $2,300. Feeding and medicating a 100-plus-pound dog adds up fast.

Basset Hound vs Newfoundland at a glance

Basset Hound weighs 40–65 lbs and lives 10–12 years; Newfoundland weighs 100–150 lbs and lives 9–10 years. The two diverge most on apartment suitability, shedding and trainability and 1 other rated axes. They are level on barking, energy level and good with kids, so those cannot decide it. Where the table declares a winner it means less work for the owner, nothing more; descriptive rows are left as ties on purpose. The value here is in the differences between the two columns; treat any single score as approximate.

Frequently asked questions

How much bigger is a Newfoundland than a Basset Hound?

Substantially, 100 to 150 pounds and up to 28 inches tall for the Newfoundland, against 40 to 65 pounds and 15 inches for the Basset.

Which sheds more?

The Newfoundland, rated very high (5/5) against the Basset's moderate (3/5), expect serious coat blow-outs twice a year.

Is a Newfoundland good for a first-time owner?

Reasonably, it rates moderate (3/5), just below the Basset's 4 out of 5, but its size makes any handling mistakes more consequential.

Can a Newfoundland live in an apartment?

Not well, it rates just 1 out of 5 for apartment suitability, the lowest score in this comparison, against the Basset's 4 out of 5.

Which is more expensive?

The Newfoundland, clearly, $150-$310 monthly versus $80-$150 for the Basset, and up to $4,200 in the first year.

Do they share health risks?

Hip dysplasia and bloat appear on both lists. The Newfoundland's profile also includes giant-breed-specific heart conditions the Basset doesn't share.

Quick answers

View more answers

Living

Which breed fits most households?

The Basset fits nearly any home; the Newfoundland needs real space, its apartment score of 1/5 is the lowest in this matchup.

Costs

What does each cost per month?

$80-$150 monthly for the Basset versus $150-$310 for the Newfoundland.

Living

How much exercise does each need?

Basset 2/5, Newfoundland 3/5, both are manageable, but size changes what moderate means in practice.

Health

How long do they typically live?

10-12 years for the Basset, 9-10 for the Newfoundland.

Related DogBreedCompass guides

Basset Hound breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Basset Hound before deciding.
Newfoundland breed guide – The same for Newfoundland, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
Basset Hound vs Bulldog (English) – Bulldog (English) is the closest breed to Basset Hound on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
Newfoundland vs Saint Bernard – Saint Bernard sits closest to Newfoundland, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
What Basset Hound costs to keep – Anyone weighing these two is usually also pricing them, and the cost pages carry city-level figures.
Newfoundland health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.

Related guides

Comparison

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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