You’ve seen them in the movies and on the back of the Hush Puppies shoes. Those droopy, sad-eyed, tri-color hounds with the long ears that practically trip them up. But if you’re looking for an all black basset hound, you’re basically searching for a unicorn in a dog park. It’s a colorway that exists on the fringes of the breed, often misunderstood and even more often misidentified.
Actually, let’s be real for a second.
Most people who think they’ve spotted an all-black Basset are usually looking at a very dark "black and tan" or a "black and white" where the secondary colors are hidden under those massive skin folds. A truly, solid, jet-black Basset Hound—without a single stray white hair on the chest or a tan smudge on the eyebrows—is an anomaly. It isn’t even recognized as a standard color by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Why does that matter? It matters because if you're scouring the internet to buy one, you're entering a world of genetic quirks and, unfortunately, some questionable breeding practices.
The Genetics of the Midnight Coat
Color in Basset Hounds isn't just about looking cool. It’s a complex puzzle of alleles. According to the Basset Hound Club of America, the breed is historically and traditionally "any recognized hound color." This usually means combinations of white, tan, lemon, red, and black.
The genes responsible for coat color are located at specific loci—the A (Agouti), E (Extension), and K (Dominant Black) loci. Most Bassets carry the "at" allele, which produces the classic saddle-back tan and black pattern. For a Basset to be completely black, they would typically need the dominant black gene (K locus).
The problem? That gene isn't naturally prevalent in the Basset Hound gene pool.
When you see a dog that looks like an all black basset hound, you are likely looking at a dog with "melanism" or a very heavy "blanket" pattern. In many cases, if you flip that dog over or look at the paws, you'll find the hidden white or tan.
Genetics are weird. They don't care about our aesthetic preferences.
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Why You Don't See Them in the Show Ring
If you take a solid black Basset to an AKC-sanctioned show, the judge isn't going to call the police, but you probably aren't going home with a ribbon. The breed standard specifically emphasizes the "hound color" which is almost always broken up by white.
White serves a purpose.
Historically, these dogs were bred for hunting in dense brush. A solid black dog disappears in the shadows of the woods. Breeders wanted that white tip on the tail—the "stern"—to act as a flag so the hunter could see the dog while it was nose-down in the briars. An all black basset hound would be a liability in a 19th-century French hunting pack. It’s hard to follow a shadow.
Because of this, breeders have spent over a century selecting against solid dark coats. They wanted visibility. They wanted that flashy tri-color or the bright lemon and white.
Health Realities and the "Rare" Label Warning
Kinda have to be careful here.
When you see a breeder advertising "Rare Solid Black Basset Hound Puppies" for $4,000, your internal alarm should be screaming. In the dog world, the word "rare" is often a marketing mask for "off-standard" or "accidental cross-breeding."
There is a condition called Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA). While more common in "blue" or "fawn" dogs, heavy pigment concentrations can sometimes lead to skin issues. However, the bigger risk with an all black basset hound isn't the color itself—it's how the dog was produced.
If a breeder ignores health clearances for elbows, hips, and Lafora disease just to chase a specific coat color, the dog suffers. Bassets are already prone to Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) because of their long spines and short legs (chondrodysplasia). They don't need "boutique" color breeding making their genetics even more fragile.
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Common Basset Health Issues to Watch For:
- Ectropion: That drooping lower eyelid that can catch debris.
- Gastric Torsion (Bloat): Their deep chests make them candidates for this life-threatening twist.
- Ear Infections: Those long ears are basically velvet petri dishes.
- Obesity: They will eat until they pop. Seriously.
Is It Actually a Basset or a Mix?
If you see a pup that looks like an all black basset hound, it might actually be a "Bassador." That’s a Labrador and Basset Hound mix. Labs carry the dominant black gene. When you cross them, you often get a dog with the Basset’s short legs and the Lab’s solid black coat.
They are incredibly cute. They are also high-energy chaos machines compared to a purebred Basset.
Another lookalike is the Dachsador (Dachshund/Lab) or even certain lines of Bloodhounds, though Bloodhounds are significantly larger. If the ears don't reach the tip of the nose when pulled forward, or if the "haw" (the red part of the lower eyelid) isn't visible, you might not be looking at a purebred Basset.
Living With the "Shadow" Hound
Suppose you do find one. Maybe it's a rescue. Maybe it's a genetic fluke from a reputable breeder who was just as surprised as you were. What’s it like?
Honestly, it’s mostly just a lot of shedding.
Black fur shows up on everything. White carpets? Ruined. Light-colored sofas? Covered. And because Bassets have oily coats to stay waterproof, that black fur carries a certain... "aroma." It’s a musky, earthy scent that Basset lovers find endearing and everyone else finds overwhelming.
You’ve got to be diligent.
Sunburn is a real thing, even for black dogs. Their skin can overheat quickly in the summer because that black coat absorbs every bit of thermal energy. You'll notice them seeking shade much faster than a lemon-and-white counterpart.
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And then there's the stubbornness. Bassets are independent thinkers. They were bred to work away from the hunter, making their own decisions on the trail. An all black basset hound will look you dead in the eye, hear your command, and then slowly—deliberately—turn its head to sniff a blade of grass.
It’s not that they aren't smart. They just don't think your opinion is particularly relevant to their current olfactory goals.
Finding a Reputable Source
Don't go to Craigslist. Please.
If you are dead-set on this look, start with the Basset Hound Club of America or local breed rescues like Daphneyland or Belly Up Basset Rescue. Talk to people who have lived with these hounds for decades.
Ask breeders about:
- Thrombopathia: A blood platelet disorder common in the breed.
- Glaucoma: Bassets are genetically predisposed to high eye pressure.
- Parental Temperament: Because a 60-pound dog that refuses to move is a lot of dog to handle.
If a breeder can’t show you the results of an OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) eye exam or DNA testing for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), walk away. No coat color is worth a dog that goes blind at age four.
Actionable Steps for Potential Owners
If the idea of an all black basset hound still has its hooks in you, stop scrolling through Instagram photos and start doing the legwork.
- Verify the Pedigree: If a breeder claims a Basset is purebred but solid black, ask for the AKC or UKC registration papers. Look for "Black and Tan" or "Black and White" listings—if the dog is truly solid black, it's a genetic rarity or an undocumented mix.
- Check the Paws: Look for "ticking" or small white patches. Most "black" Bassets are actually heavily ticked or have small "flash" marks that disqualify them from being truly solid.
- Prepare Your Home: Buy a high-quality vacuum. No, a better one than that. You’ll also need a ramp; those short legs and long backs shouldn't be jumping on and off high beds or couches.
- Focus on the Ear Health: Regardless of color, you’ll be cleaning those ears weekly. Get a vet-recommended drying solution.
- Join a Community: Hop into Basset-specific forums. You’ll find that the community is more concerned with "how long can your dog sleep in one position" than "what color is the fur."
The reality is that the all black basset hound is more of a myth than a common reality. But a dark-coated Basset, with all the drool, stubbornness, and heart-melting bellows of the breed, is a companion unlike any other. Just make sure you’re choosing the dog for the soul behind those droopy eyes, not just the color of the fur.