Your guide to finding and caring for a Basset Hound in Sioux Falls
Basset Hounds fit Sioux Falls best when their owners plan around snow and a loud bay. A slow sniffing loop on the paths at McKennan Park or along the tree-lined streets of All Saints is exactly what a Basset likes, and the older apartment buildings around there suit one if the neighbors can handle some baying. Winter is the real test: snow that's ankle-deep to most dogs can brush a Basset's belly, so walks get shorter and a coat helps.
A Basset Hound is ready for you
While we don't have enough dogs near Sioux Falls, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
F, 3 y., 951 miles
Labrador Retriever, Basset Hound
M, 3-7 y., 952 miles
Basset Hound, Shepherd
F, 5 y., 952 miles
Basset Hound, Mixed Breed
F, 3 y., 952 miles
Basset Hound, Mixed Breed
F, 3 y., 953 miles
Labrador Retriever, Basset Hound
F, 3 y., 953 miles
Catahoula Leopard Dog, Basset Hound
F, 5 y., 955 miles
Basset Hound, Terrier
M, 8 y., 957 miles
Basset Hound, Staffordshire Bull Terrier
M, 3-7 y., 958 miles
Basset Hound
F, 0-6 mo., 960 miles
Terrier, Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is a French-born scent hound, developed in Britain into the heavy, long-eared type seen today. It was bred to trail rabbit and hare at walking pace, so the nose is exceptional, second only to the Bloodhound's for following ground scent. Short legs, heavy bone and loose skin give the breed its droopy look and a body that's heavier than it appears, usually 40 to 65 pounds.
At home, Bassets tend to be mellow, social and tolerant, though many turn stubborn once a scent grabs them. In Sioux Falls, that means a fenced yard or a firm hold on a leash, since the nose can override recall. Plan for steady walks, careful portions, regular ear cleaning, and a home that limits stairs and jumping. Dogs vary, so a Basset's own energy and habits matter more than the breed label.
Having a Basset Hound in Sioux Falls
Bassets pair a laid-back nature with a stubborn nose and a long, heavy frame. In Sioux Falls, that shapes everything from winter walks to apartment living, so these cards cover what to expect day to day and where the breed's quirks matter most.
Bassets are typically affectionate, patient and sociable, and many like lounging close to family and getting along with other dogs. They can be stubborn when a scent grabs them, so short, food-rewarded training sessions work best. Many bay or howl when bored or excited, which matters in Sioux Falls apartments. Each dog's personality varies with history and socialization.
Plan on one or two steady, sniff-friendly walks a day, plus scent games at home. Around Sioux Falls, the paved Big Sioux River Recreation Trail and the fenced Pawsible Dog Park downtown give a Basset room to roam. Keep jumping and stairs to a minimum, and use a leash or fence, because a Basset following a scent rarely comes back on cue.
Bassets are prone to ear infections, skin fold irritation, glaucoma, bloat, back disc disease and joint problems, and they gain weight easily. Keep ears clean, watch for sudden eye redness or a swollen belly, and keep the dog lean. Winter salt can irritate paws, so wipe them after walks, and a veterinarian can check a new dog's needs.
A Basset can do well in a Sioux Falls apartment or house if it gets daily walks, though baying may bother close neighbors. Stairs are hard on that long back, so ground-floor units, ramps or a stairless entry help. A securely fenced yard is useful, since a scent-following Basset wanders, and it should live indoors with its family.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per 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* | $480 to $1,325 per year | $480 to $1,325 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,785 to $3,815 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* The $5 Sioux Falls license for a spayed or neutered dog ($25 if unaltered), flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, supplies, basic coat care, and ear and skin fold cleaning.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have dogs available in and near Sioux Falls.
Sioux Falls has an open-admission humane society and foster-based rescues, listed here with the dogs they have. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Sioux Falls area with dogs available for adoption, worth asking whether a Basset Hound is coming in.
Yes, Basset Hounds can handle winter in Sioux Falls with some help. Temperatures average 10 to 29°F, snow totals about 45 inches a year, and a short-legged, short-coated Basset gets cold and wet quickly. Use a coat, boots or paw wipes for salt, shorten walks in deep snow, and keep outings brief during dangerous wind chills.
Pawsible Dog Park downtown is fully fenced, which suits a Basset that follows its nose. Kirby, Spencer, Family, Lien and Hayward also have free off-leash areas, though puppies under 4 months aren't allowed. For leashed walks, the Big Sioux River Recreation Trail has a 19-mile main loop with 11 park access points.
Yes, a Basset Hound can live in a Sioux Falls apartment if it gets daily walks. The main hurdles are baying, since city rules bar disturbing noise, and stairs, which strain the back. Ground-floor units are easiest. Confirm the lease allows a dog of 40 to 65 pounds, because weight limits are common.
Yes, you can get a Basset Hound in Sioux Falls. The city has no breed bans, and South Dakota forbids local breed-specific rules. Landlords and insurers can still set their own limits. Browse the dogs listed on this page, and save a search if none fit yet, since availability changes.
Not often. A weekly brush with a rubber mitt handles moderate year-round shedding, and baths are occasional. The bigger jobs are cleaning ears and skin folds, trimming nails, and wiping paws after salty winter walks. Professional grooming isn't essential, which fits the modest supplies and coat-care costs counted in the Other line of the cost table.
A Basset Hound fits Sioux Falls if you can offer steady walks, patience with snowy winters, and company most of the day. Bassets are pack hounds and generally dislike long stretches alone, though each dog differs. Baying and a stubborn nose take planning, so it suits homes where someone is around often.
Only with planning. Sioux Area Metro runs buses, not trains, and service animals ride, but check SAM's rules for pets before boarding with a Basset. A 40-to-65-pound dog is too heavy for most carriers, so a car is usually easier, as long as the dog is never left in a parked vehicle.
Sometimes. In Sioux Falls, patio and even indoor access is up to each restaurant, and the city's health office has said dogs are allowed where the business permits, as long as they stay out of food-prep areas. Ask the restaurant first, keep your Basset leashed and off chairs, and expect it to sniff under the table.
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.
Food runs $35 to $70 a month, insurance $55 to $100, routine vet care $225 to $450 a year, and other costs $480 to $1,325, for roughly $1,800 to $3,800 a year in all. Insurance runs higher than for many medium dogs because of the breed's back, eye, ear and skin issues. Emergencies and boarding are extra.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other dogs available for adoption in Sioux Falls.
