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Basset Hound Dogs for Adoption in Minneapolis, MN

Your guide to finding and caring for a Basset Hound in Minneapolis

Basset Hounds suit Longfellow's bungalow blocks, where slow, sniff-heavy walks are the whole point. A Basset is happy with a steady stroll, so a leashed loop along the Winchell Trail or down 42nd Avenue South gives that nose plenty to read. They're mellow at home and usually friendly with neighbors, though a loud bay carries through thin walls. Winter adds a few chores, like wiping salt off paws. If you're adopting a Basset in Minneapolis, expect to stop at every mailbox.

513 Basset Hounds available in Minneapolis and nationwide

A Basset Hound is ready for you

While we don't have enough dogs near Minneapolis, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.

Basset Hounds Available for Adoption Near Minneapolis

About the Basset Hound breed

The Basset Hound began as a French hunting hound with a low build, so hunters on foot could keep up while it trailed rabbits and hares. The heavier modern type, with its long ears, wrinkled face and short, sturdy legs, was developed in Britain. Only the Bloodhound follows ground scent better, and a Basset's nose often beats its owner's voice.

At home, Bassets tend to be mellow, social and good with children and other dogs, though every dog varies. In Minneapolis, expect a dog that loves lake paths and neighborhood sidewalks but moves at its own speed, with a stubborn streak, a big voice and a hearty appetite. Portion control, ear cleaning and a back-friendly home matter more than square footage.

Weight
40–65 lbs
Height
11–15 in
Lifespan
10–13 yrs
Temperament
Easygoing, Friendly, Gentle, Vocal
Group
Hound
Shedding
Moderate

Owning a Basset Hound in Minneapolis

Having a Basset Hound in Minneapolis

Bassets pair a relaxed outlook with a heavy, long-backed build and a nose that never stops working. In Minneapolis, that means slow walks, careful weight control, regular ear care, and some thought about stairs and winter ice.

Temperament

Basset Hounds are usually gentle, sociable and patient, and many are happiest near their people. They can be stubborn when a scent grabs them, and many bay or howl. In a Minneapolis duplex or apartment, early training with treats and short, upbeat sessions helps keep the noise manageable. Each Basset's personality varies with history and socialization.

Exercise Needs

Plan on one or two unhurried walks a day, with plenty of time to sniff. Minneapolis's lake paths suit a Basset moving at its own pace, though shorter stretches may be enough for some dogs. Scent games with treats indoors help on icy days. Keep a leash on, since a Basset's nose can override recall.

Health Considerations

Bassets are prone to ear infections, skin fold irritation, glaucoma, bloat, and back and joint trouble tied to their long, low build. Weight control matters most. Clean the ears regularly, watch for a swollen belly or red eyes, and ask a veterinarian about tick prevention, since Minnesota's blacklegged ticks can spread Lyme disease.

Living Space

A Basset can live happily in a Minneapolis bungalow, duplex or apartment as long as stairs are limited. Ground-floor units or elevator buildings spare its long back, and ramps help with couches and beds. A fenced yard is handy, though not required, because a Basset following a scent will wander. It does best as an indoor family dog.

What it costs to own a Basset Hound in Minneapolis

ExpenseTypical costPer year
Food$35 to $70 per month$420 to $840
Pet insurance$55 to $100 per month$660 to $1,200
Routine vet care$225 to $450 per year$225 to $450
Other*$490 to $1,340 per year$490 to $1,340
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$1,795 to $3,830

Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.

* The Minneapolis dog license ($30 a year for a spayed or neutered dog), flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and bedding, basic coat care, and ear and skin fold cleaning supplies.

Adopt a Basset Hound in Minneapolis.

Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have dogs available in and near Minneapolis.

Rescues and Shelters in or near Minneapolis

Minneapolis has a city shelter and a network of rescues, and the ones below list their adoptable dogs here. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Minneapolis area with dogs available for adoption, worth asking whether a Basset Hound is coming in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can own a Basset Hound in Minneapolis. The city has no breed-specific rules, and Minnesota law bars cities from regulating dangerous dogs based on breed alone. A dog over four months old needs a city license, which requires a current rabies vaccination. Keep your Basset leashed outdoors, never tether it unsupervised, and carry waste bags on every walk.

Yes, with some planning. Basset Hounds are short-legged and short-coated, so Minneapolis winters call for brief outings on the coldest days, shoveled routes where deep snow would drag on a Basset's belly, and a paw wipe after salted sidewalks. Watch the feet, ears and face for frostbite, and keep the dog indoors with the family.

Yes, a Basset Hound can do well in a Minneapolis apartment if it gets daily walks. The bigger concerns are baying through shared walls and stairs that strain its long back, so a ground-floor unit or elevator building helps. The city can cite unprovoked barking that disturbs neighbors, so exercise and sniffing games matter.

Lake Nokomis's 2.7-mile loop, the Bde Maka Ska loop of about 3.1 miles and Minnehaha Regional Park are good leashed options, and Minnehaha's paved trails stay open in winter. For off-leash time, Victory Prairie is one of the largest fenced dog parks. Off-leash parks require a permit, and shorter stretches suit a Basset better than full loops.

Not unless the dog fits in a carrier. Metro Transit buses and light rail allow pets only in a carrier, and leashed pet dogs aren't allowed to board. At 40 to 65 pounds, a Basset Hound is too big for nearly any carrier, so plan on walking or driving. Service animals are the exception.

Yes, a Basset Hound can fit Minneapolis life well if you enjoy slow walks and can handle winter care. Lake paths and fenced dog parks give a scent-driven dog plenty to explore, and the summers rarely get extreme. Expect a loud bay, a hearty appetite and a nose that ignores recall, so leashed walks and a steady routine matter.

Yes, on some patios. Minneapolis lets restaurants opt in to dog-friendly outdoor areas under a 2008 ordinance, and each restaurant decides. Dogs stay outside, leashed, on the ground and off furniture. Indoor dining is off limits except for service animals. A Basset will likely try to sniff out dropped food, so keep it close.

Very little coat care. A Basset's short, smooth coat sheds moderately year-round, so a weekly brushing is usually enough. The bigger jobs are cleaning the ears and skin folds, trimming nails, and wiping off salt and mud after winter and spring walks. Most owners need little professional grooming, so supplies fall under the yearly Other costs.

Basset Hounds are medium-sized dogs that stay short, standing no more than about 15 inches at the shoulder while weighing roughly 40 to 65 pounds. They are heavy-boned for their height, with long bodies and deep chests, so they feel much bigger than they look. Males usually sit at the upper end, and a lean adult rescue may weigh less.

Expect roughly $1,800 to $3,800 a year for a Basset in Minneapolis. Food runs $35 to $70 a month and insurance $55 to $100 a month. Routine vet care is $225 to $450 a year, and other costs such as prevention, dental care, the license and ear and skin fold supplies add $490 to $1,340 a year.

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