Basset Hounds

The Basset Hound is a short-legged breed of dog of the hound family. They are scent hounds, bred to hunt rabbits by scent. Their sense of smell for tracking is second only to that of the Bloodhound. The name Basset is derived from the French word bas, meaning "low", with the attenuating suffix -et, together meaning "rather low". Basset hounds are commonly brown and black and most often spotted, but also exist in a variety of colors.

The Basset Hound is seen as an especially friendly breed. For this reason they are an excellent pet for children. Many Bassets "forget" the training when a reward is not present. Bassets are known to be a vocal breed.

Basset Hound Dog Health

Basset Hound Dog Health Concerns

The Basset Hound is prone to the following major health conditions:

Osteochondritis Dissecans - Osteochondritis Dissecans is a joint disorder in which cracks form in the articular cartilage and the underlying subchondral bone. Osteochondritis Dissecans usually causes pain and swelling of the affected joint which catches and locks during movement.

Elbow Dysplasia - Elbow dysplasia is a condition involving multiple developmental abnormalities of the elbow-joint in the dog, specifically the growth of cartilage or the structures surrounding it. These abnormalities, known as 'primary lesions', give rise to osteoarthritic processes.

Thrombopathy - Thrombopathy is abnormality of blood platelets.

Entropion - Entropion is the inversion of the eyelids, so that they roll inward, often irritating the eye.

Ectropion - Ectropion is eversion of the eyelids, so that they roll out from the eye, leaving a gap between the lid and the eye.

Otitis Externa - Otitis Externa is an infection of the outer ear, including the ear canal. Most common in dogs with long, hanging ears.

Glaucoma - Glaucoma is increased intraocular pressure, most often due to an abnormality in the drainage of aqueuous fluid from the eye.

von Willebrand's Disease - von Willebrand's Disease is a condition where you have defective blood platelet function resulting in excessive bleeding, caused a by a deficiency in clotting factor.

Gastric Torsion - Gastric Torsion is a medical condition in which the stomach becomes overstretched by excessive gas content. It is also commonly referred to as bloat, gastric torsion, and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) when the stomach is also twisted.

Canine Hip Dysplasia - Hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. It is a polygenic trait, that is affected by environmental factors in the production of the final phenotype. It can be found in many animals and occasionally in humans, but is most commonly associated with dogs, and is common in many dog breeds, particularly the larger breeds.

The Basset Hound is prone to the following minor health conditions:

Patellar Luxation - Patellar Luxation is the abnormal shallow groove in the knee sot hat the knee cap slips n and out of the position, causing lameness. Patellar Luxation is most common in small dogs.

The Basset Hound occasionally has problems with the following health conditions:

None.