Buying a Basset Hound Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Basset Hounds can have exaggerated body features that compromise their health and welfare. Avoid a puppy whose parents have excessive loose skin, particularly on the face (which affects normal eyelid function), excessively long ears or very short legs.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BVA/KC scheme for elbow dysplasia (ED)
- BVA/KC screening for eye disease, to include gonioscopy. DBRG recommends that all dogs should be visually examined by an ophthalmologist before breeding (includes checks for inherited and conformation-related diseases
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- CDDY – Chondrodystrophy
- POAG – Primary open angle glaucoma
- Lafora disease
Brief explanations and other diseases that may be more common in the breed – if in doubt then consult your vet for guidance:
Official Health Schemes
Elbow dysplasia – abnormal formation of the elbow joint – pain and lameness.
BVA/KC eye testing scheme checks many inherited and physical abnormalities that can cause progressive blindness or pain. Gonioscopy tests for goniodysgenesis; PLA (pectinate ligament abnormality) assesses a predisposition for primary closed angle glaucoma, a painful progressive eye disease leading to blindness. Gonioscopy should be carried out every three years to assess progression of PLA.
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available for:
Bloat/GDV (gastric dilation and volvulus) – where the stomach inflates with air and twists, sometimes fatally
Dermatitis – inflammation of skin, more likely if excessive loose skin; often with Malassezia (yeast) infections
‘Cherry eye‘ – protruding gland of third eyelid in young dogs, may require surgery
Ear infections – more likely in long, drooping ears; can be allergy related
Ectropion – drooping lower eyelids
Entropion – inturned eyelids that rub on eyeballs (may be combined with ectropion)
IVDD – Intervertebral disc disease – degeneration of spinal discs and spinal cord compression, pain, possible paralysis
Further Information
The Basset Hound Health Group runs a Health Award Scheme at bronze, silver and gold levels. All levels require a basic health check. Silver level upwards require further tests.