Basset Fauve de Bretagne

The history of this breed dates all the way back to the 16th century in France, when the long-legged Grand Fauve de Bretagne was first bred. Originating from the region of Brittany (or Bretagne in French), this breed was often associated with French royalty and aristocracy. The lower classes were not allowed to own or hunt with the breed until the French Revolution abolished many aristocratic privileges in 1789. Once it was available to the public, people began to breed the dog for shorter legs, which made it a better hunting companion.

Although the Grand Fauve de Bretagne is now extinct, its bloodline still flows through the modern breeds of griffons and bassets. The Basset Fauve de Bretagne carries on the tradition as a great hunting companion that leverages the considerable power of its nose to detect and find game. In fact, scent hounds have some of the most powerful noses among all dog breeds. This dog has drooping ears, a stiff tail, and a fawn-colored, wiry coat of fur (with wheat-colored and reddish variations). The name roughly translates to a fawn-colored basset of Brittany. Although a mainstay of the French hunting scene, this breed is still uncommon in the United States. The American Kennel Club included the Basset Fauve de Bretagne in its Foundation Stock Service in 2015 and officially recognized it as a breed in 2026.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Basset Fauve de Bretagne

Size and Weight

This breed is a small- to medium-sized dog with short legs (the name basset literally means low set). Both males and females tend to be around the same size, with a height of 12 to 15.5 inches and a weight of 27 to 35 lbs.

Common Health Issues

This is a generally healthy dog with an average lifespan of 11 to 14 years, though some may live longer. Some of the more common health problems include epilepsy, skin allergies, progressive retinal atrophy, and cancer. It is also prone to some thyroid issues in its older age. The signs of an underactive thyroid include lethargy, weight gain, and constipation. A responsible breeder should screen for heritable problems early on with a genetic test.

Temperament

These dogs are a very affectionate breed with a keen, constantly roaming mind. The friendly personality is well-suited for the home, but the hunting pedigree also makes it well-suited for the outdoors. One of the more appealing traits is its sheer gentleness. This breed gets along well with almost anyone who reciprocates its kindness. As long as it has enough mental and physical stimulation throughout the day, it is adaptable to a lot of different situations. You do not necessarily need to be a hunter to enjoy this breed’s personality, though the dog does love to find a scent trail and stick with it.

How to Take Care of the Basset Fauve de Bretagne

These dogs require a moderate amount of care with their dietary, grooming, and exercise needs. It is a good idea to keep your dog busy throughout the day with some kind of stimulation. Once its energy is expended, the dog will relax around the home. An annual health checkup is a necessity, even if the dog appears to be in great health. Puppies may require some special care.

The Best Dog Food

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne should be fed on a regular schedule with a specialized diet for small high-energy breeds. The dog’s age should not necessarily be a factor in its diet. However, since they tend to experience allergies, consider feeding a limited-ingredient diet or allergy-mitigating dog food that removes ingredients you’ve found to irritate your Basset Fauve de Bretagne.

This breed does not have a big tendency to gain weight, but you should always carefully monitor the dog’s calories and limit treats, preferably to training and commands. If you’re unsure about what to feed it, then you should consult with your vet.

Maintenance and Grooming

These dogs require weekly grooming with a fine-toothed comb and a stiff brush. The coarse, wiry hair is fortunately resistant to dirt and matting. It also does not shed a whole lot (though it’s not hypoallergenic either). The coat helps to insulate the dog in colder climates, but if you live in a warmer area, then you may want to consider trimming the dog’s hair to prevent discomfort and overheating. You should also endeavor to check the ears, trim the nails, and brush the teeth on a regular basis.

Training

This breed can be trained very well to follow commands, perform tricks, and stop certain unacceptable behaviors. But despite its friendly and determined personality, this breed does have a stubborn streak that may need to be overcome through careful training. It also tends to start sniffing around when you just want it to focus on your commands. A gentle and patient temperament is required to deal with this breed. Do not ever yell at the dog or lash out at it. Treats can be given from time to time to help build up and reinforce its training.

Exercise

This is a high-energy breed that requires fairly frequent exercise between 30 and 60 minutes per day. It is a good idea to keep this dog on a leash, because it may tend to become distracted and wander off. You should also try to entertain the dog either indoors or outdoors with games (like hide and seek), ball catching, agility training, tricks, or sports. In warm weather, you should always keep your dog cool and hydrated.

Puppies

These dogs have a friendly and affectionate personality that shines through even as puppies. Its eagerness to experience new people and places will give it fresh opportunities to become well-adjusted as an adult. Early training should help it develop properly. According to the American Kennel Club, this breed’s nose has a strong tendency to overpower its other senses. Sometimes it may even appear to ignore its owner’s commands. Training should help to break or overcome this tendency.

Basset Fauve de Bretagne and Children

This is a very friendly breed that enjoys the presence of children, no matter the age. However, an adult should always be present to monitor any interaction. The breed’s small size can be easily overwhelmed by a larger child. You should teach your children how to handle the dog with gentleness and care. Dog ownership is also a good learning experience to teach your children responsibility.

Dogs Similar to the Basset Fauve de Bretagne

If you are a fan of scent hounds, then you might want to check out these similar breeds:

• Basset Hound: Bred in Britain from French stock, the ever-popular basset hound has big ears, droopy eyes, and a long body with black, white, and brown colors. It is patient, playful, and friendly with adults and children alike.
• Dunker: Also known as the Norwegian Hound, the Dunker is a medium-sized scent hound with an exquisite sense of smell. The hair is generally shorter than that of the Basset Fauve de Bretagne, but the Dunker’s intelligence, playfulness, and friendliness are all similar.
• Alpine Dachsbracke: Originating from Austria, the Alpine Dachsbracke has a long body, short legs, and big drooping ears with short, dense, dark red fur. This scent hound is well-adapted for tracking boar, hare, and foxes.

Famous Basset Fauve de Bretagne

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a relatively niche breed, but there are a few examples of it throughout history.

• King Francois I of France owned a pack of Brittany scent hounds in the 1500s. Although much larger than the modern Basset Fauve de Bretagne, the two breeds are closely related.
• The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a common entry in French hunting competitions. One such dog named Jason was featured in the La Montagne magazine in October of 2014.