Cat

You would be exactly what I would look for in a breeder. I actually tried to go the exact route you are speaking of when I purchased Emma and was given Chaps. However, I was not told the truth about Emma’s health records. She wound up getting primary, closed angle glaucoma at age 2. Her medical records showed that she had an abnormal eye examination from birth. The breeder told me she had a normal eye examination.

So, one of the most important things for me is honesty in a breeder.

I hope you don’t mind me putting a blog posting I did called: Questions to ask a reputable breeder, to answer your question. I send this blog posting to people who are interested in what to ask a breeder. I get inquires all the time since my website pops up pretty quickly if you google basset hounds. Here it is:

OK, you have done all of the research and you want to add a basset pup to your family. You are armed with your list of reputable breeders and the search is on for your new pup. The Basset Hound Club of America offers QUESTIONS TO ASK A BREEDER, which are listed below 1-7. In my opinion these are just a starting point. If the breeder cannot answer all of your questions to your complete satisfaction go to the next breeder on your list. This is the most important part of picking your new pup.

Feel free to print this list of questions so you can make sure you do not forget any of them. This is not the time to be shy. There are plenty of reputable breeders that would love to place their dogs in wonderful families. The breeders will be thrilled you have done your homework.

1. How long have you been breeding AKC Basset Hounds? Good breeders have usually been breeding for a minimum of 3 or 4 years. note from Cat: This seems a bit short to me. I would go with breeders who have more time under their belt and can answer all of your questions. A longer successful breeding record will unveil more statics’s in their line.

2. Do you belong to the Basset Hound Club of America or a regional Basset Hound Club? Membership in these clubs involves working within a code of ethics which helps give credibility to a breeder.

3. What type of activities do your dogs participate in? Many breeders show their Basset Hounds and may participate in showing, obedience, agility, tracking or field trialling competition.

4. Do you have any puppies available, and if not, when do you plan another litter? If they have puppies available, the majority of breeders will put your name on a waiting list. Other breeders whose lists are full are usually more than willing to refer you to reputable breeders in their area. note from Cat: You should already have your list. If they don’t have pups, move on.

5. What kind of warranty do you offer? Most breeders will guarantee the health of a puppy for a specific period of time and if something goes wrong will offer to replace the puppy with another one or give a full refund. Warranties differ with each breeder. note from Cat: Will the breeder cover the cost of health problems that arise from the genetics of their line. For example, if the pup does turn up with glaucoma will they pay for any of the expenses related to that disease. If so, get it in writing.

6. What is the price of the dog? A pet puppy is usually less expensive than a show prospect.

7. What type of paperwork do you provide and will it include proof of vaccinations and worming? Breeders should provide a Bill of Sale, a contract detailing the conditions of the sale and a copy of the puppy’s health record. In some cases, breeders may withhold AKC registration papers until they have received notification from your veterinarian that the puppy has been spayed or neutered. note from Cat: If they do not provide proof of vaccinations and worming they are not reputable and do not buy a puppy from this breeder, also see number 8.
This ends the BHCA list, and number 8 starts bassethoundtown.com’s list.

8. Do you do an opthalmologic examination on your pups? If not, do not buy from that breeder. If so, make sure you get a copy of the eye examination and make sure that the pup has NORMAL ANGLES. Under no circumstances purchase a basset hound pup that has abnormal angles. Basset hound are pre-disposed to glaucoma and abnormal angles will increase the changes that your pup will develop this horrible disease and go blind.

9. Ask the breeder if any of the following heath concerns has shown up in their line. If so you may want to consider another breeder. These are serious health concerns that you want to weed out of your new pup. This is why I say to pick a breeder who has been in the business for more than 8 years. This will give the breeder and the buyer access to much more of a health history in their breeding program.

Panosteitis (Pano, wandering lameness, puppy limp) An inflammation of the long bones often seen in Bassets from 5 months of age to two years. Because dogs outgrow pano, it is not considered a serious health problem. Lameness caused by pano may move from one leg to another and can last from a week to 6 months or more. Bassets with pano should not be exercised until symptoms disappear. Although pano itself is not serious, if a Basset is otherwise injured and the ensuing lameness is mistakenly attributed to pano, lasting harm may result. Because X-rays can determine the presence of pano, a veterinarian should be consulted in any case of lameness.

Von Willebrand’s Disease (VWD) A genetic disorder of the blood which may cause moderate to severe bleeding, similar in some ways to hemophilia. Up to 15% of Bassets may carry this platelet abnormality.

Thrombopathia Another blood platelet disorder, also similar to hemophilia. The clinical presence of Von Willebrand’s and thrombopathia are fairly easy for Basset owners to spot because bleeding which cannot be stopped is the symptom of these disorders.

Glaucoma This eye disorder has been found in the Basset Hound breed. Symptoms include painful, bulging eyes and sensitivity to light. Consult a veterinarian immediately.

Eyelid and eyelash problems Bassets are prone to ectropian (a turning out of the eyelids), resulting in a dry cornea, and entropian (a turning in of the eyelids), causing lashes to dig into the surface of the eye. Both conditions can be surgically corrected. note from Cat: This is true, but surgery is costly and risky.

Allergies Some Bassets may be prone to allergies, dermatitis and seborrhea. note from Cat: This may not seem like a big deal, but Emma is allergic to everything. She has a costly dermatologist and is on expensive special food to keep her from getting urinary tract infections. This is very costly and adds unnecessary expense.

10. Ask to see the Mom and Dad of your pup. Also visit the kennel and see how the conditions are for the hounds on site.

11. Some breeders will tell you that they will pick the pup for you. I never really cared for that approach. Ask if you can pick your own pup after they determine which pups are up for sale.

12. Never buy a pup from a breeder contingent on if you take another one of their hounds as well. You may choose to take another hound which should be free, but never let them make this part of the deal. Many times breeders will be looking for homes for their x-show dogs or dogs who did not work out for whatever reason. Make sure if you do take an extra hound that all of the above questions are answered. Make sure you get that hound’s entire medical history. Chaps was an x-show dog that I willing took when I bought Emma.

13. Make sure you have it in writing that you will be taking the pup and the extra dog to your vet within days of the purchase. Have your vet do a complete examination of the dog. If any major health issues turn up you will be returning the hound before everyone gets too attached and the breeder should pay for that examination if a hound is returned.

REMEMBER, THE REASON YOU ARE GOING TO A REPUTABLE BREEDER IS FOR GOOD HEALTH. YOU ARE PAYING EXTRA FOR EXPERT BREEDING. YOU ARE BUYING A FAMILY MEMBER! DOGS ARE EXPENSIVE AND YOU DO NOT NEED THE EXTRA STRESS AND FINANCIAL STRAIN OF A SICK HOUND.

So – there you go. My list is long but I sure wish I had my list when I picked the AKC/BHCA breeder that I did. It may not have uncovered the secrets and lies but it would have been worth a try.

After Emma went blind and I asked for support from my breeder they ignored me when I refused to lie for them. I have never felt so betrayed in all of my life. Emma turns 5 years old this month and her medical bills are almost 15,000 dollars. She is worth every penny to her family.

Cat, Chaps and Emma

“It’s hard to think straight when presented with the cuteness that is a basset hound puppy.”
so true!!