Hound Small size 15-20 kg
Artois Basset
A low-set French scenthound, sociable and even-tempered, but a determined tracker that follows a scent regardless of recall.
Match with your household
See match detail → Quick overview
Small
Size
15-20 kg · 30-36 cm
Moderate
Exercise needs
Moderate; a daily walk plus some play
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Copes with a normal workday if eased in
Moderate
Training
Capable but needs motivation
Wash-and-go
Coat care
Wash-and-go coat
Good
Fit with kids
Good, patient family dog
Good
Other pets
Generally sociable with other animals
Moderate
Health burden
Dental Disease, Hip Dysplasia
The Artois Basset typically weighs 15-20 kg, stands 30-36 cm, and lives 11-13 years.
Consider this breed if…
you want a compact, good-natured scenthound for a quiet-ish home,
slow, nose-down walks sound better to you than jogging,
there is another dog at home - pack company suits it,
you are prepared to hunt for a breeder and possibly import.
Do not consider this breed if…
you need dependable off-leash recall,
close neighbors would object to hound baying,
you want firm documentation and health-tested lines - this breed is vanishingly rare and data is thin,
you cannot keep a low-slung, food-driven dog lean.
A typical day with a Artois Basset
- 7:00 · Morning30-40 min leash walk, nose to the ground
- 9:30 · MidmorningSleeps while you work
- 12:30 · NoonQuick garden break
- 16:00 · AfternoonScatter feeding or a scent trail game
- 18:30 · EveningLonger exploratory walk
- 21:30 · NightSettles early and sleeps deeply
Family and environment
Kids Good
Even-tempered and sturdy with children.
Dogs Very good
Bred for pack life; enjoys canine company.
Cats Conditional
Household cats usually accepted; outdoor cats get trailed.
Apartment Conditional
Calm indoors, but the voice is loud.
House with a yard Suitable
Secure fencing is non-negotiable.
City Manages
Fine on leash with daily outings.
Countryside Great fit
Its natural setting - fenced, ideally.
Health data provided by RealVetCost Overall health burden Moderate
Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.
View the full health profileTop health concerns
Dental Disease Routine dental care and cleanings needed
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock; watch for early lameness
Bloat (GDV) Feed smaller meals and know the emergency signs
Chronic Ear Infections Keep the ears dry and check them often
Similar breeds - by reason
Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.
Near-identical heritage, slightly less rare
Artesien Normand Basset
A short-legged French basset with a merry pack temperament, a good-natured companion led firmly by its nose and its stomach.
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The accessible basset option
Basset Hound
A gentle, low-slung scenthound that is wonderful with kids but stubborn on the trail and prone to ear, back, and weight issues.
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The full-sized hound from the same region
Artois Hound
A robust French pack hound with strong hunting drive and stamina, sociable but best suited to active, outdoor-focused homes.
View profile →Frequently asked questions
How much does an Artois Basset cost?
Realistically, you cannot simply buy one in the US. The Artois Basset is one of the rarest French bassets, with only a handful of breeders in France; plan on a long waitlist and an import that totals $2,500-$4,500 with transport. Yearly upkeep is modest for the size - roughly $1,200-$2,000 - but back and ear problems can add real vet bills over a 11-13 year life.
How is it different from the Basset Artesien Normand?
They share ancestry and look alike to most people. The Artois Basset is the rarer of the two, slightly straighter-legged and less exaggerated, and historical crossbreeding blurred the lines between them for decades. For a pet home the practical difference is availability - the Artesien Normand is merely rare, the Artois is nearly unobtainable.
Is it a good apartment dog?
Size-wise yes, sound-wise maybe not. It is calm indoors and needs only moderate exercise, but it carries a full hound voice and will use it when bored or triggered. Detached housing, or very tolerant neighbors, makes life easier.
Can I trust the health data on this breed?
Only partially. The population is tiny, so there are no meaningful breed-wide health statistics; the issues listed here are the standard risks for low-slung pack hounds (backs, ears, weight, bloat in deeper-chested individuals). Ask any breeder directly what they screen for and what their own lines have produced.