Basset Hound smell – how to solve it!

basset hound smell
basset hound smell

Our bassets are most certainly our best assets, but there are occasions where you are exposed to just how stinky these hounds can be. Here is more information about how to deal with the basset hound smell!


Why does my basset hound smell?

Basset hounds are a breed with a lot of loose skin, big ears and lots of energy. It’s no wonder that they can get worked up into a sweat easily and be susceptible to a little basset hound odor.

A lot of this is due to the hound coat, which is slick and is naturally stays oily.

This harks back to when the basset worked outside as a hunting hound on a regular basis.  This trait is useful for getting rain to glide straight off their coats.

These days it can be less of a desirable trait. Our hounds spend a lot of time with family indoors.As a result this can be prone to a little excess smell from time to time.

As a result this can be prone to a little excess smell from time to time.


Basset Hound Running

Droopy skin, smells within

You’ve got the iconic ears that can easily get dipped into food bowls and have plenty of loose skin to collect bacteria and other nastiness within.

Top this off with the big jowls that are capable of sending slobber across the room. It’s easy to see why the basset is such a messy beast at times.

These areas can often be prone to infestations of basset hound smells if left unchecked by the nature of the hound anatomy.

There’s a few things you can do to reduce this as much as possible.

Stay checked up

Due to these traits, the basset can be prone to infections at times. Be sure to keep your basset regularly checked over by a vet. As well, be sure to take the occasional basset bath as appropriate.

If you suspect or smell anything is particularly out of order, it’s always worth getting a second opinion.

We all know how bassets can be prone to venturing off on their own on walks and picking up something unsavory.

The mouth area is quite open to bacterial infection at times. Keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary here. Dental checkups are essential and will ensure nothing gets too out of hand.


basset hound smell

Basset hound bath time

Use your best judgement for how often you bath your basset! You don’t want to run the risk of causing dry skin. This will affect the oiliness that naturally comes with the coat and cause other issues.

Use an appropriate dog shampoo, we’ll list a few that we like a little later on. Clean the ears but don’t get too abrasive or deep. Other areas of attention will be the doggy armpits and anywhere else where skin droops.

When you are done, make sure you dry your hound out thoroughly, paying particular attention to the ears and any flaps of skin where the sun can’t reach too easily!

Your aim here is to prevent any further dampness or issues that can arise from excess moisture gathering. A thorough bath can go a long way to reducing basset hound smell for the time being.

The diet factor

If washing doesn’t seem to be doing much good to relieve the basset hound smell at least somewhat, you may want to pay attention to your basset’s diet.

Some dog owners report that making alterations to their pet’s diet makes a difference in a big way. This can be due to allergies or other underlying issues.

We’ve had quite a few reports that trying a grain-free diet may be the solution if you are finding that regular bathing and dental hygiene isn’t making a difference.

It’s worth researching and trying out some different diets if you find the scent is somewhat overwhelming.

Basset hygiene products

Here’s a quick list of some basset hound products that genuinely help alleviate basset hound smell. They’re things that we’ve used in the past with our basset and found them to be a great help!

Take a read of the descriptions and see if any of these may be able to help in any way.

If you’re unsure, please do consult your vet before using!

Healthy Breeds Smelly Dog Deodorizing Shampoo and Conditioner

For a decent shampoo for your Basset, try a specialised type such as this one. It contains baking soda and is formulated with a conditioner which is designed for the basset hound coat.

We use products such as this to bathe our basset as they serve to preserve the coat and isn’t too abrasive.


Doctor Beasley’s Advanced Ear Bomb

In the event that your basset ends up with an ear infection somewhere within the folds, keep an ear treatment on hand.

We like this one because it’s less abrasive than a lot of the solutions out there and it’s basset friendly.


King Komb – Revolutionary 3 Blade Brush with Rubber Bristles

This is a really nice brush that goes down well after a good bath.

It’s great to run this over your basset once dried off to reduce any excess shedding.


Wahl Dog/Pet Deodorant Spray

Try a dog deodorant spray after a bath too. Just a quick spray once cleaned up and you’re good to go.

This really helps replicate that great “just-washed” smell you get after getting your hound professionally washed.


Healthy Breeds Dog Multipurpose Grooming Wipes with Aloe & Oatmeal

There are some situations where you don’t have time to run a bath and hoist your basset into the tub.

Keeping wipes like this on hand is a perfect solution for quickly cleaning out ears on the go and giving your hound a quick freshen.


Basset Hound World