One of the things that make the Basset Hound adored by pet lovers is their wide variety of colors. Undoubtedly, these dogs are cherished not only for their docile temperaments and cute looks but also for their colors.
You’ve probably seen a lot of Basset Hounds with classic black, white, and tan color coats, and they seem to look pretty similar to each other. But did you know that there are different kinds of black, white, and tan Bassets?
If you’re curious to learn more, keep reading. This guide will dive deep into the 25 different Basset Hound colors. Let’s start!
How Many Basset Hound Colors Are There?
Basset Hounds have a variety of coat color options, including solid, bi-colored, and tri-colored coats.
Solid-colored Basset Hounds are not as frequently seen as their bi-colored counterparts, which boast two distinct hues on their body.
Meanwhile, tri-colors are the most common color variation for Basset Hounds, sporting three combined colors on their coat.
To give you an overview of what’s discussed in this guide, here’s a list of all Basset Hound coat colors:
- Brown
- Black
- Red
- Blue
- Lemon
- White
- Black & White
- Lemon & White
- White & Lemon
- Mahogany & White
- Red & White
- White & Red
- Black & Brown
- Blue & White
- Brown & White
- Tan & White
- White Black & Red
- Black Red & White
- Black White & Brown
- Black Brown & White
- Brown Black & White
- White Black & Brown
- Black Tan & White
- Black White & Tan
- White Blue & Tan
Meanwhile, here is a compilation of various patterns found on a Basset Hound:
- White markings
- Ticked
- Black markings
- Black mask
As you can see from the list above, Basset Hound colors can be quite confusing. Some color variants seem repetitive and very similar to each other.
For instance, you might be wondering why ‘white & lemon’ is different from ‘lemon & white.’ The same thing is true for the ‘black tan & white’ and the ‘black white & tan’ variants. If you’re curious, read along to find out more.
25 Basset Hound Colors
To help you understand the range of coat colors that Basset Hounds can have, refer to the comprehensive list below. You’ll also find images that will give you a better idea of what each Basset Hound color looks like.
1. Brown Basset Hound
Solid brown Basset Hounds are a very rare variation of the breed. While most Basset Hounds have tri-color coats, solid brown Basset Hounds stand out with their unique, monochromatic appearance.
The shades of brown in these hounds can range from a light hazel to a dark chocolate color. These colors result from the presence of eumelanin, a pigment that creates brown and black colors in the coat.
The solid brown coat color of Basset Hounds is determined by genetics, specifically the presence of the recessive brown allele.
2. Black Basset Hound
Black Basset Hounds have pitch-black coats that give off a glossy appearance, giving them a stealthy look. As with other solid colors, black is also a rare color variation of the breed.
When it comes to AKC recognition, black is considered a disqualification in Basset Hounds. This means that black-colored Basset Hounds cannot compete in AKC conformation shows.
The gene responsible for the black coloration in Basset Hounds is the recessive B allele. Both parents must carry this gene for it to be expressed in their offspring.
3. Red Basset Hound
The solid red Basset Hound has a coat that ranges from a deep, rich red to a lighter, golden-red hue. It may also have a white patch on its chest, but the rest of its coat comes in a solid, striking red color.
The pheomelanin gene is responsible for the red coloration in Basset Hounds. This gene determines the amount of red pigment produced in a dog’s fur.
4. Blue Basset Hound
The blue Basset Hound has a blue-gray coat that can range from a pale, almost silvery shade to a darker steel-blue hue.
The blue coat color is not commonly seen in a Basset Hound and is caused by a recessive gene that is passed down from both parents.
It’s worth noting that the AKC only recognizes the blue color as an additional tone to the Basset Hound coat. This means blue is not a separately recognized coat color as per the AKC standard.
However, other kennel clubs, such as the United Kennel Club (UKC) and Federation Cynologique (FCI), recognize the blue Basset Hound as a separate breed called the Blue Gascony Basset.
5. Lemon Basset Hound
A pure lemon Basset Hound is a rare variation of the breed that is highly sought after by dog enthusiasts. As the name suggests, a pure lemon Basset Hound has a unique coat that is a pale shade of yellow.
The same recessive gene as the red Basset Hound is responsible for creating the lemon coat color.
6. White Basset Hound
The white Basset Hound’s coat comes in different shades of white, from bright white to creamy white. A completely pure white coat is relatively rare, and it is not recognized as a standard coat color for Basset Hounds.
Although there are Basset Hounds that are albino, they are not typically classified as white due to the underlying cause of their coloration.
Albino Bassets have a genetic condition that causes a complete absence of pigment in their skin, hair, and eyes. As a result, their coats appear white, but, in reality, it is actually lacking any kind of pigmentation.
7. Black & White Basset Hound
The black and white Basset Hound is not only a strikingly beautiful coloration of the breed, but it’s also one of the most common.
This coat variation in Basset Hounds is often characterized by black ears, white bellies, and chests, as well as black patches on their back.
In some cases, such as the Basset Hound in the photo above, the entire back is completely black, while the belly remains white.
8. Lemon & White Basset Hound
The lemon and white Basset Hound is a stunning color combination that features a pale yellow or cream-colored coat with white markings. It is lighter than the tan or fawn color often seen in Basset Hounds.
The coloring of lemon and white Basset Hounds is caused by a recessive gene that affects the production of pigmentation in their coat color.
While the AKC recognizes lemon and white Basset Hounds as standard color variation, they are not commonly seen compared to their darker counterparts.
9. White & Lemon Basset Hound
The white and lemon color combination features a fusion of white and lemon coloring arranged in a way that creates a striking and visually appealing appearance.
But the main difference between the white and lemon and the lemon and white Basset Hounds are their base coat color and how the patches are arranged.
A lemon and white Basset Hound has a lemon coat with white patches of different shapes and sizes, while a white and lemon Basset Hound has a white coat with lemon patches.
The lemon coloring stands out more on a white and lemon Basset Hound, while the white patches contrast more on the other.
10. Mahogany & White Basset Hound
The mahogany and white Basset Hound is a beautiful color combination that features a predominantly mahogany coat with white markings on various parts of the body.
Mahogany is a rich, dark brown color with reddish undertones that gives the coat of the Basset Hound a deep and luxurious appearance.
This color is darker than the red, lemon, or tan color that is commonly seen in the breed.
11. Red & White Basset Hound
The red and white Basset Hound color combination features a predominantly red coat with white patches or markings on various parts of the body.
The red coat can vary in shade from a deep, rich red to a lighter, more orange-toned red, and the white patches can range in size and shape.
Meanwhile, the white patches are usually smaller and can be found near the neck, belly, and feet.
12. White & Red Basset Hound
The white and red color combination is another variant commonly seen in Basset Hounds. This coat color is closely similar to the previous red & white combo.
Compared to the red and white Basset Hound, however, the white coat color in a white and red Basset Hound is more dominant. Meanwhile, the red patches cover less area on the coat.
Also, It can sometimes be mistaken for a brown and white Basset Hound, as the reddish-brown patches can be quite dark and appear almost brown in certain lighting conditions.
13. Black & Brown Basset Hound
The black and brown color is another combination commonly seen in the Basset Hound breed.
In a black and brown Basset Hound, the black color typically covers most of the body. Meanwhile, the brown color appears as the accent color.
Its brownish coloration comes in the form of markings, which are typically found on the face, ears, legs, and tail.
14. Blue & White Basset Hound
The blue and white Basset Hound is a stunning color combination that is very rare to be seen in this breed.
This color combination features a white base coat with patches of a metallic dark gray, often referred to as “slate” or “blue-black,” dispersed throughout the body.
The blue patches vary in size and shape, with some patches covering large areas of the body while others are small and scattered. The blue patches are typically more prominent on the ears, back, and tail.
15. Brown & White Basset Hound
The brown and white Basset Hound is a dog that is predominantly brown and has white markings all over the body.
One of the interesting characteristics of the brown and white Basset Hound is that the dark brown patches can sometimes lighten over time, becoming more of a light brown color.
Untrained eyes often confuse brown and white Basset Hounds with tan and white Bassets. But upon closer inspection, brown will be noticeably darker than tan. If anything, the tan color will be much closer to the lemon coloration.
16. Tan & White Basset Hound
The tan and white Basset Hound has a coat color combination that combines a light brown shade with white fur. Its tan coloration often appears in the form of patches around the face, ears, and feet.
When looking at a Basset Hound puppy with a tan and white coat, it can sometimes be difficult to tell it apart from the lemon or brown colors of the breed.
However, with a closer look, you will be able to see some subtle differences. For instance, the color of a tan coat is usually a few shades darker than the pale yellowish color of a lemon coat. Meanwhile, it is lighter than the typical brown.
17. White Black & Red Basset Hound
The white black and red color is quite a common sight in Basset Hounds. This tri-color combination consists of a predominantly white base coat with black and reddish-brown patches.
Like all tri-color Basset Hounds, they typically feature black patches on the back and tail, while the red patches are located on their faces, sides, and ears.
The red patches are described as a deep red that is blended with a dark brown shade. Typically, it is accompanied by black hair that may appear as dark brown.
18. Black Red & White Basset Hound
The black red and white Basset Hound is another tri-color variation of the breed. In this coat color, black is often seen on the back, face, and ears of the dog, while the red color can be found on its legs, chest, and sides.
The white typically appears on the dog’s neck, belly, and feet and can be present as a blaze on its face.
19. Black White & Brown Basset Hound
The tri-color combination of black, white, and brown is also one of the most recognized and classic color patterns in Basset Hounds.
The black white and brown Basset Hounds typically feature brown patches near the eyes, ears, and legs. Meanwhile, their white patches usually appear on their chests and bellies.
20. Black Brown & White Basset Hound
When it comes to Basset Hounds, one of the most popular and commonly seen is the tri-color combination of black, brown, and white. These adorable dogs have predominantly black coats with large patches of brown and white.
The difference between this color variant and the other tri-color Basset Hounds is that the black brown and white Basset has the least white markings on its coat.
21. Brown Black & White Basset Hound
Brown, black, and white is one of the recognized coat color variation and patterns for Basset Hounds.
This color combination is known for its striking contrast, with a base coat of brown having black and white patches throughout the body.
In a brown, black, and white Basset Hound, the brown color tends to be larger and more spread out. In contrast, in a black, white, and brown Basset Hound, the brown patches are usually smaller and more concentrated.
Some of the brown, black, and white colors may also have black or brown spots on their white patches, adding even more variety to their coats.
22. White Black & Brown Basset Hound
The white, black, and brown color combination is a striking and unique coat pattern for Basset Hounds.
In this coat pattern, white is typically the dominant color, covering most of the body, compared to black, white, and brown Basset Hound, which has a dominant black coat color.
23. Black Tan & White Basset Hound
Another common tri-color is the black, tan, and white color combination. It is a popular coat color recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
This color combination features a mostly black coat with white patches on the chest, paws, and face, along with tan markings on the eyebrows, cheeks, and legs.
24. Black White & Tan Basset Hound
While the black, white, and tan color combination does typically feature white as the main color of the coat, in some cases, black can indeed be the dominant color.
In this case, the coat will consist of more black than white or tan, with the black covering the majority of the body.
Unlike other tri-color variants, the tan patches in a black white and tan Basset are more subtle and usually appear on the face, legs, and underbellies.
25. White Blue & Tan Basset Hound
The white, blue, and tan Basset Hound features a predominantly white coat with patches of blue-gray and tan. This color variation is not commonly seen as much as other tri-color variations.
The white areas of the coat are typically a pure, bright white, while the blue-gray patches may vary in shade from light to dark. The tan markings are usually seen around the dog’s eyes, muzzle, and legs.
Basset Hound Markings
The Basset Hound is known for its distinctive and elegant appearance, and their coat markings play a significant role in this.
The markings on Basset Hounds refer to the different color patterns that appear on their coat, creating a unique and eye-catching appearance.
These are a few examples of the distinctive coat markings that may be present on Basset Hounds:
White Markings
White markings are a common feature found on Basset Hounds. These markings can vary in size, shape, and location on the dog’s coat. They can also have different patterns and densities.
The most common locations for white markings on Basset Hounds are on their faces, chests, and paws.
Some Basset Hounds may have white markings that extend up the legs, while others may have white tips on their tail.
Ticked
Ticked markings are unique and eye-catching features found on the coats of some Basset Hounds. This white, black, and brown Basset Hound features black ticked markings throughout its body.
These markings are created by the presence of individual colored hairs that are dispersed throughout the predominantly white coat. Ticking comes in a variety of colors, including black, brown, and red.
Black Markings
Black markings on Basset Hounds are a classic feature of the breed and can make for stunning coat patterns.
These markings are often seen on a predominantly white or light-colored coat and can range from small speckles to large patches.
Black Mask
The black mask appears as a dark patch of fur on the dog’s face, typically covering the eyes down up to the ears. The mask is usually symmetrical and can vary in size and shape, depending on the individual dog.
Do Basset Hound Colors Affect Behavior and Health?
While the coat color of a Basset Hound does not affect its behavior, certain health issues are associated with some coat colors, such as white, blue, and merle.
For starters, Basset Hounds with little to no pigmentation on their skin are at higher risk of developing certain health issues related to the lack of pigment.
White-colored dogs, for instance, have a higher risk of developing skin cancer, eye problems, and allergies due to their skin being more vulnerable to harmful UV radiation.
On the other hand, blue dogs are the result of a genetic mutation that causes the dilution of normal coat colors. This dilution can result in a range of blue and gray shades.
While the blue coloration can be striking, dogs with this abnormality are said to be prone to coat problems such as color dilution alopecia, which is linked to the abnormal color and can result in hair loss and skin problems.
Finally, the merle gene is also linked to a handful of health issues in dogs. This is especially true for the so-called double merle dogs, which are prone to deafness and blindness, among other concerns.
Do Basset Hound Puppies Change Colors as They Grow?
It’s quite common for Basset Hound puppies to undergo color changes as they mature. That said, the coat color of a Basset Hound puppy is not always an accurate indication of what its adult coat color will be.
Puppies are typically born with lighter coat colors, and their coat will usually darken as they grow older.
For example, a lemon and white Basset Hound puppy may start with a very pale yellow coat, but as they grow older, their coat may darken to a deeper shade of yellow or even to a light brown.
It’s important to note that while some color changes may occur, the basic color pattern of a Basset Hound generally remains the same throughout its life.
What Color Will My Basset Hound Puppy Be?
While many people may assume that predicting the color of a Basset Hound puppy is a straightforward task, it can be quite challenging, even for experienced breeders.
One reason why predicting a Basset Hound’s final coat color is difficult is the fact that some puppies change color as they mature. Likewise, other factors also affect the coat color of a Basset Hound, such as its environment and health.
The only definitive way to get a clue on what a dog’s coat color will be is through DNA testing. But even then, results may still be inaccurate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Basset Hounds Be All Brown?
Yes, although it is rare to find a Basset Hound that is completely brown, also known as a solid brown Basset Hound.
It is important to note that some Basset Hounds may appear to be solid brown, but upon closer inspection, they may have subtle markings or shading that are not immediately noticeable.
What Is the Rarest Basset Hound Color?
The pure lemon color is considered one of the rarest, along with solid black. It can be easy to mistake a white Basset Hound for a lemon one, but true lemons start as completely white and gradually develop a light lemon color.
The light lemon color ranges from pale cream to a soft yellow hue. This coloration typically appears first around the nose, ears, and eyes and then gradually spreads throughout the body.
What Is the Most Common Basset Hound Color?
The most common coat color for Basset Hounds is the tri-color combination of black, white, and brown. This color combination is often referred to as the classic Basset Hound coloring.
This variation is typically seen in a range of patterns and shades, with some Basset Hounds having more black or brown than others.
Black usually appears on the back and sides, while brown is commonly found on the head and legs, and white is usually on the chest and belly.
We hope you found this article on Basset Hound colors and markings informative and helpful. If you have any more questions or would like to share your thoughts, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below.
