

The Basset Artésien Normand is a cheerful, stubborn, and extremely persistent low-slung pack hound—bred to track hares and rabbits through dense brush with a low nose and loud baying, slowly but relentlessly.
How the health grade is calculated
Sources for required breeding screenings. ÖBaLC
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Basset Artésien Normand fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Shoulder height
30–36 cm
Weight
16–20 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Basset Artésien Normand, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the Basset Artésien Normand — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
The real vibes check
At first glance, a Basset Artésien Normand might seem like a cozy couch potato, but outdoors he transforms into a highly focused scent hound that perceives the world almost exclusively through his nose. You won't get a dog that follows commands, but rather a persistent, charming individualist who makes his own decisions in the woods. If you celebrate this stubborn character, you will gain a fantastic companion; if you are looking for absolute obedience, he will drive you crazy.
The Basset Artesien Normand is a charming dog with a unique appearance. This breed belongs to FCI group 6 "running dogs, sweat dogs and related breeds". The Basset Artesien Normand comes from France and is known for its long, low-hanging body, short legs and characteristic floppy ears. This breed is characterized by a gentle and friendly expression that contributes to its lovable nature.
The Basset Artesien Normand is a calm and affectionate companion dog. He is known for his friendly and loving nature, making him an ideal family dog. This breed is very people-oriented and loves spending time with his family. They are generally good-natured and patient, especially with children. The Basset Artesien Normand can stay alone well, but is a pack animal and prefers the company of its family. Due to its hunting origins, the Basset Artesien Normand can show pronounced hunting or prey-catching behavior. Therefore, it's important to keep him on a leash or in a safe, fenced area to ensure he doesn't inadvertently track down an interesting scent. Although this breed has a strong hunting instinct, they are generally friendly with other dogs and other pets. The Basset Artesien Normand is known for its serenity and calm nature. He is not a hyperactive dog, but enjoys relaxing comfortably alongside his family. However, due to their short legs and long backs, they should not be overexerted or used too much to avoid possible back problems.
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
The Basset Artesien Normand has an impressive tracking ability and is often used in hunting and dog sports. Despite their short legs, their exceptional scent tracking ability allows them to achieve great success.
Bassets are hounds that are pursued on foot by hunters. The short legs ensure that they cannot stray too far from the hunter. The Basset Artésien Normand was used to hunt rabbits and other small game, alone or in packs, but today they are primarily bred as pets.
The Basset Artesien Normand is an excellent companion dog and is well suited to various living environments, including the city apartment. They are known for their gentle and friendly nature and tend to get along well with people and other pets. Their calmness also makes them suitable for families with small children as they are patient and tolerant. However, it is important to always supervise interactions between young children and dogs to protect both the dog and the child.
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
The Basset Artesien Normand is an intelligent dog with an independent spirit. They can be a bit stubborn at times, so consistent but loving training is important. Positive reinforcement methods, such as rewards and praise, are particularly effective with this breed. Because of their hunting instincts, keeping them on a leash can be helpful to control unwanted hunting behavior. It is important to keep the Basset Artesien Normand sufficiently occupied and stimulated both mentally and physically. They are good candidates for various activities such as walks, search games and obedience training.
The Basset Artesien Normand needs a balanced diet tailored to his size, activity level and individual needs. It is important to choose high-quality dog food that contains all the necessary nutrients. Because this breed has short hair and no undercoat, grooming is relatively easy. Regular brushing to remove loose hair and occasional bathing are usually enough. The Basset Artésien Normand can be sensitive in hot weather, so it is important to provide them with enough shade and fresh water.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs 1–2 hours of real exercise daily. | Active |
| Shedding Hair everywhere, always — no white clothing survives. | Very heavy |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Solid, watch carefully
Health grade
In the Basset Artésien Normand, breed-typical risks exist for pectinate ligament dysplasia (PLD), primary open-angle glaucoma, and joint conditions such as hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED). The breed club ÖBaLC mandates testing for pectinate ligament dysplasia (PLD) with a maximum of grade 0–1 as well as an ophthalmological eye examination for eye issues for breeding approval. A health-oriented breeder additionally tests the parent animals for hip dysplasia (optimally HD A–B), elbow dysplasia (ED 0), and genetically for primary open-angle glaucoma (ADAMTS10) and thrombopathia (a disorder of blood platelet function). When purchasing, ensure you are provided with these complete official results; a thrombopathia carrier may only be mated with a clear partner.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
What matters most for this breed
Tap any item to see details.
To protect his long back, you should consistently maintain a healthy weight, avoid jumps, and regularly check his long, floppy ears.
Responsible breeders provide proof of mandatory examinations for pectinate ligament dysplasia (PLD) and eye issues, and additionally test for hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED).
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
Tier 1 reflects the tests ÖBaLC actually mandates. Tiers 2 and 3 show how responsible breeders go beyond.
Club standard. ÖBaLC requires these tests for breeding approval. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
A Basset Artésien Normand costs around ~€170 per month (€90 – €320, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€4,720 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (13 years) it comes to about ~€29,240.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€170 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€170
In the first year
~€4,720
Across the dog's life
~€29,240
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,200 – €2,500
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.
HonestDog Concierge
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Illustrative imageThe Basset Artesien Normand originally comes from France and was developed in the 19th century. It is the result of the selective breeding of low-legged dogs that were used to hunt hares and rabbits. The breed was first recognized as an independent breed by the FCI in 1910.
The Basset Artésien Normand was bred to hunt rabbits and hares and is known for its endurance and gentle nature.
France
1870
At home, owners unanimously describe the Basset Artésien Normand as a very friendly, gentle, and affectionate companion. Indoors it is usually very calm and even-tempered and actively seeks physical closeness to its people. Because of its background as a scent hound that works in a pack, it is usually very easygoing with other dogs and meets children with a lot of patience and composure.
At the same time, reports point out that this breed is a true pack animal and can suffer badly when left alone for too long. Despite its calm behavior indoors, the Basset Artésien Normand shouldn't be mistaken for a mere lapdog: it has a lot of stamina and needs regular, long outings in the fresh air.
Sources:dogpackapp.comdiehundezeitung.comwelpen.vdh.deedogs.de
On training and on walks, owners share very consistent experiences of the typical character of a hound that works independently. Many owners stress that while the Basset Artésien Normand is clever and very interested in its person, it doesn't show blind obedience. It has a mind of its own and likes to question commands, which is why pressure or harshness gets nowhere and you need to work with plenty of patience, humor, and positive reinforcement instead.
Its sense of smell is discussed at particular length: as soon as a fresh trail reaches that keen nose, many of these dogs, as the saying goes, go deaf. Owners report that reliable off-leash time in areas with a lot of wildlife is often difficult or impossible, which is why a long line or a well-secured area is a constant part of daily life. Alternative activities such as tracking or search games are therefore seen as essential to keep the dog mentally satisfied.
Sources:diehundezeitung.comwelpen.vdh.deedogs.dedogforum.dehunderassen.de
In owner accounts of care and upkeep, the Basset Artésien Normand is described as a generally hardy, resilient dog that is built considerably more agile and nimble than the heavier Basset Hound. The short coat is considered very easy to care for and usually needs only occasional brushing.
Still, owners point to specific needs that come from its build: because of the long back combined with short legs, owners should make sure the dog doesn't take high jumps and should keep stair climbing to a minimum, to avoid overloading the spine. Owners also regularly stress that the long drop ears are prone to dirt and infections and need checking every week. Careful portion control matters to many owners as well, since the breed quickly puts on weight when it doesn't get enough exercise, which would put additional strain on the joints and back.
Sources:dogpackapp.comwelpen.vdh.deedogs.dehunderassen.dezooroyal.de
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
The Basset Artésien Normand is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Basset Artésien Normand is 12-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Basset Artésien Normand grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Basset Artésien Normand can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Basset Artésien Normand comes in these colors: Tricolor, Bicolor.
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