Basset Fauve De Bretagne Breed Information and Buying advice

Basset Fauve De Bretagne

Are You Looking to Buy or Adopt a Basset Fauve De Bretagne?

Quick Basset Fauve De Bretagne Facts

Average Size of Adult
Medium (3/5)
Puppy Puppy Puppy Puppy Puppy
Grooming Requirement
High (3/3)
Puppy Puppy Puppy
Sociability
High (3/3)
Puppy Puppy Puppy
Average Life Span
12-14 years (5/8)
Exercise Requirements
High (3/3)
Puppy Puppy Puppy
Trainability
High (3/3)
Puppy Puppy Puppy
Shedding
High (3/3)
Puppy Puppy Puppy
Child friendly
Yes (1/2)
Intelligence
Medium (2/3)
Puppy Puppy Puppy
Breed Group
Hound (2/8)
Hypoallergenic
No (2/2)

Basset Fauve De Bretagne (Fawn Brittany Basset)

Overview

The Basset Fauve De Bretagne is an affectionate and loyal companion that has a reputation for being excellent around children. The breed is native to France and has a long history in scent hunting. This hunting background means the Basset Fauve De Bretagne has a high prey drive and needs plenty of daily exercise. This Basset is short and long like their Basset Hound cousins, although the Basset Fauve De Bretagne is slightly taller.

Physical Appearance 

Short-legged and long-bodied, it is clear that the Basset Fauve De Bretagne is part of the Basset family. This medium-sized dog has a fairly short, rough coat that is red-wheaten, gold-wheaten or fawn in colour. Some individuals also have a small amount of white on their chest. As Basset Fauve De Bretagne sheds year-round, their coat requires regular brushing to help keep this under control.


The Basset Fauve De Bretagne has a long head that looks well balanced with their body; they have oval, dark-hazel eyes that are expressive and alert. This breed has ears that fold inwards and sit level with their eyes. The Basset Fauve De Bretagne body is compact yet strong with a medium-length, thick tail that is held high and tapers to a point. They also have tight feet, hard paw pads and short nails.


How big do Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs get? 

  • Height - Males: 32 - 38cm. Females 32-38cm

  • Weight - Males: 16-18kg. Females 16-18kg


Character Traits

The Basset Fauve De Bretagne is an intelligent dog that is easy to train but may not always listen to commands. This breed has a strong instinct to follow scents and has a high prey drive so they may wander off if the opportunity arises. With that said, the Basset Fauve De Bretagne is loyal, affectionate and loves to play. They are not aggressive but will use their voice to let you know about strangers. 


Despite their small size, the Basset Fauve De Bretagne is an active dog with high energy levels so at least 2 hours of exercise a day is needed. The Basset Fauve De Bretagne is perfect for anyone looking for a family pet that is active, friendly and gets along with everyone in the house.


Are Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs intelligent? Yes.

Are Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs affectionate? Yes.

Do Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs have high or low energy levels? High energy levels.

Are Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs loyal? Yes.

Are Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs playful? Yes, they love to play and can be mischievous too. 

Are Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs aggressive? No.

Are Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs easy to train? Yes.

Are Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs good guard dogs? Yes, they are alert and will bark at strangers but don’t expect them to show any aggression. 


Ability to Socialise 

The Basset Fauve De Bretagne is a friendly dog that gets on well with everyone. They have a reputation for being wonderful family companions that are particularly good with children. The Basset Fauve De Bretagne also gets along very well with other dogs too. The main consideration with this breed is their high prey drive. This means Basset Fauve De Bretagne may not be the best breed to have around smaller pets. 


Do Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs get along with other pets? Yes, however, they have a high prey drive which means particular care must be taken if your Basset is around smaller pets including cats.

Do Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs get along with other dogs? Yes.

Are Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs good with kids? Yes, they are excellent with children. 

Are Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs good with strangers? This breed will bark at strangers but are not aggressive.


Lifestyle Suitability

The Basset Fauve De Bretagne is a highly adaptable breed that is happy everywhere from apartments to country homes providing they get plenty of daily exercise. Long walks, lots of play and regular training will help keep a Basset Fauve De Bretagne happy and healthy. This Basset never likes to be left alone so they will need to be with a family where someone is always at home. Early training is needed to prevent excessive barking and regular brushing can help keep the Basset Fauve De Bretagne shedding under control. 


Are Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs good for first-time owners? Yes, providing the owners have time to keep the active Basset busy and mentally stimulated.

Are Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs hypoallergenic? No.

Are Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs prone to drooling? No.

Are Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs a good breed for apartment living? Yes, as long as they get enough exercise and mental stimulation the Basset Fauve De Bretagne would be happy in an apartment.

Do  Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs shed a lot? Yes, they shed year-round but more in spring and autumn (4/5).

Do  Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs bark a lot? Some have been known to bark a lot but this can be stopped with early training. 

Can Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs be left alone at home? No, they can suffer from separation anxiety.

Can Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs handle the heat? No, They don’t do well in extreme heat.

Can Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs handle cold temperatures?  Yes.

Are Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs sensitive to loud noises? Not particularly but unknown noises may cause them to bark. 


General Health & Health Issues

The Basset Fauve De Bretagne is known for being a healthy breed. These dogs are robust, have a life expectancy of 12-14 years and don’t have any specific breed-related problems. Basset Fauve De Bretagne is one of the healthiest breeds around. However, they may suffer from ear infections, cataracts and reproductive issues. 


How long do Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs live? - 12-14 years


Exercise & Play Time

The nimble Basset Fauve De Bretagne is an active dog that needs at least 2 hours of exercise per day. When not out walking they love to play and respond well to regular training sessions. When training, pay particular attention to their recall as it isn’t unusual for the Basset Fauve De Bretagne to wander off following a scent. 


This breed is friendly and will be happy to meet other dogs when out and about. However, due to the Basset Fauve De Bretagne’s strong hunting instincts, it’s recommended you always walk them on lead. They will appreciate time off lead in secure areas for active play sessions and the opportunity to explore all the smells of the area. 


How much exercise does a Basset Fauve De Bretagne dog need? - At least 2 hours per day

Do Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs like water play? Yes, they often love water.

Nutrition & Feeding

The Basset Fauve De Bretagne is not a fussy dog when it comes to feeding time. The breed doesn’t have any specific dietary needs but should be fed high-quality dry food. 


The amount a Basset Fauve De Bretagne needs is generally between 150 - 270g a day depending on their age, weight and activity level. This is just an estimate, as every dog is unique it is important to have a personal dietary plan made. 


Are Basset Fauve De Bretagne dogs prone to weight gain? No, only if they have been recently spayed or neutered. 

How much should I feed a Basset Fauve De Bretagne puppy? Between 150 - 260g of high-quality dry food per day depending on age and build. 

How much should I feed an adult Basset Fauve De Bretagne dog? Between 180 - 270g of high-quality dry food per day depending on weight and activity level. 

Care & Maintenance

Grooming: The Basset Fauve De Bretagne requires regular grooming to remove dead hair and prevent tangles. They need to be professionally groomed twice a year (to be hand stripped). A Basset Fauve De Bretagne needs to have their ears checked regularly and cleaned when necessary to prevent ear infections. 


Emotional Care: A Basset Fauve De Bretagne is happiest when they are around their family, have lots of interactive playtime and go for long daily walks. This breed always wants to be involved and hates being left alone. To avoid problem behaviours, the Basset Fauve De Bretagne needs consistent training. Without exercise and mental stimulation, a Basset Fauve De Bretagne may become destructive around the home and bark excessively as a way of relieving stress and getting attention.  



History of the Basset Fauve De Bretagne

The Basset Fauve De Bretagne has a long history in France. The breed can be traced back to the 1500s and is highly prized as a scent hound hunting dog. The Basset Fauve De Bretagne is also known as the Fawn Brittany Basset as the breed originated from Brittany in France. Breed numbers dropped during the World Wars but French breed enthusiasts worked hard to make sure the Basset Fauve De Bretagne was not lost. In recent years, the Basset Fauve De Bretagne has become increasingly well known in the UK as a family pet rather than a hunting dog. 

Interesting Facts About Basset Fauve De Bretagne Dogs

  • The breed originates from Brittany in France. 

  • It is thought the Basset Fauve De Bretagne almost went extinct during the World Wars. 

  • The breed is highly adaptable. 

  • The Basset Fauve De Bretagne is an excellent hunting dog and family dog.

  • In the 1500s, King Francois I of France owned a pack of Brittany hunting dogs that were closely related to the Basset Fauve De Bretagne.

Getting a Basset Fauve De Bretagne Puppy

If you think the Basset Fauve De Bretagne is the right dog breed for you, take a look at our buying guide for advice on finding and buying a puppy. Unfortunately, there are many scams around so it is important to choose a responsible breeder. All of the breeders are vetted on puppies to ensure they are responsible, you can check this page to see if there are any Basset Fauve De Bretagne puppies available in your area.


How much does a Basset Fauve De Bretagne cost to buy? £1000 - £2000

How much does a Basset Fauve De Bretagne cost to feed? £40 per month

How much does insurance for a Basset Fauve De Bretagne cost? Approximately £40 per month (varies depending on coverage)


As the Basset Fauve De Bretagne is still a rare breed in the UK you may have to join a breeder’s waiting list to buy a puppy. Another option is to consider adoption. You can chat to your local dog rescue centre about this or the associations below may be able to help with your search: 


Talk to the Basset Fauve De Bretagne Club about rescues

Rehome a Basset Fauve De Bretagne with the Dogs Trust